Date
5-20-2026
Degree
Master of Arts in Music Education (MA)
Chair
Brenda Widger
Keywords
Choral Participation, Low-Threshold Choir, Music for Health and Well-Being, Community Music, Flow Theory, Neuroscience
Disciplines
Music | Psychology
Recommended Citation
Chapin, Jessie Mae Rajala, "A Phenomenological Study of Participation in Low-Threshold Choirs with the Lenses of Flow Theory and Neuroscience" (2026). Masters Theses. 1462.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/1462
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore participant perspectives on the multi-faceted benefits of participation in low-threshold choirs toward health and well-being as interpreted through the lenses of flow theory and neuroscience. The results of this study can inform the practice of choral directors to maximize the benefits of choral participation for the individuals they serve. The researcher interviewed twelve participants and analyzed data from thirty-two online survey respondents and two observations. Thematic analysis incorporated inductive coding of the data combined with deductive application of flow theory. Themes developed aligned with current research on the benefits of choral participation for health and well-being including physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and existential benefits. The results of this study add to the literature in support of low-threshold choirs specifically and choral participation in general as an activity with various benefits toward health and well-being. Limitations of the study include small sample size and the yet limited capacity of the field of neuroscience to explain brain activity during activities such as group singing and creative flow. Further studies could explore participant perspectives on the effects of sing along groups and faith-based worship practices as informed by the most current research in neuroscience.
