Impact of globalization on the national choral sound in post-Soviet Russia and its influence on choral music pedagogy

Abstract

Globalization, cultural flow, and crossfertilization are terms that now appear in many conversations, articles, and research studies. The contemporary world becomes more and more complex while the exchange of information, business development, media, and cultural events are promoted and welcomed. The models of response to globalization may vary between countries and their cultures. This study depicts the response of Moscow’s choral world to globalization. The choral art form is one of many layers of national identity that have been developing over centuries. Performance practices, choral vocal methodologies, and choral music education have undergone influences and changes and have continued their evolution into the 21st century. The purpose of this study was to explore, through in-depth interviews, Russian choral conductors’ perceptions and reflections on contemporary Russian choral sound and whether it has been affected by globalization in recent decades. Using grounded theory, I examined the impact of globalization on Russian choral culture, specifically focusing on the choral sound. Goodenough’s (1981) cultural theory served as the framework for this research, providing a strong understanding of what culture is and the methods of its transmission as well as the explanation of the role of individuals in a social process of constructing its evolution. The current relationship between traditional Russian choral pedagogy and performance practice and the innovations introduced by globalization demonstrates that the deeply-embedded traditions continue to be an important aspect of Russian choral culture. Nevertheless, lifelong informal learning in a global choral community was an impetus for the transformation of choral culture, choral performance, and choral music education