This book offers a provocative sociological examination of masculinity, class and music education within the context of a unique and fascinating culture: the classical musical world of choirboys. The myriad cultural meanings embodied in the 'boy voice' are unravelled through compelling musical narratives of young choirboys, their mothers, and their teachers. The book investigates how boys negotiate dominant gender-class discourses and the various pedagogies involved in producing middle-class masculinities during primary school and early years contexts. Drawing on the theoretical resources of Bourdieu to develop the concept of 'musical habitus', the continued symbolic distinction of the choirboy is analysed in order to better understand how culture is simultaneously reproduced and evolving through music. This interdisciplinary work at the juncture of pedagogy and culture will appeal to social science researchers, educators and arts practitioners interested in the sociocultural dynamicsof music.

Challenges prevalent understandings in feminist and queer musicology of singing as a 'feminised' or 'unmasculine' practice Explores gender, class and education issues from the uncommon perspective of boys and their singing voices Theorise how certain forms of masculinity are privileged and reproduced through music and music education

Autorentext
Clare Hall is Lecturer in Performing Arts at Monash University, Australia. Her research is located in the sociology of education and the creative arts, with a focus on music and intersectionality.

Inhalt

Chapter 1. Introduction: Making Masculinities Through Music.- Chapter 2. Gendering the Boy Voice.- Chapter 3. Venerating Angels.- Chapter 4. Thinking about Masculinity, Class and Music with Bordieu.- Chapter 5. Capitalising on Musical Mothering.- Chapter 6. Becoming Choirboys.- Chapter 7. Vocalising Gender and Class.- Chapter 8. Practising Virtuosity.- Chapter 9. Conclusion.