Queering Vocal Pedagogy: A Handbook for Teaching Trans and Genderqueer Singers and Fostering Gender-Affirming Spaces

by William Sauerland

Overview

Queering Vocal Pedagogy presents a new vision of gender-affirming vocal music education and richly explores the experiences, perspectives, and vocal training of trans(gender) and genderqueer singers.

This groundbreaking text weaves together singers’ narratives with the practices and pedagogies of their teachers to provide a model for training gender expansive vocalists. William Sauerland promotes a two-fold action: first, cultivating gender-affirming practices for teaching trans and genderqueer singers, and second, disentangling vocal pedagogy from practices and traditions that have historically promoted cisgender narratives.

Through case studies representing various identities within the gender expansive population, this book provides an insider’s view to lesson pacing, vocal exercises, repertoire, and processes toward vocal development. Sauerland provides a wealth of practical and theoretical knowledge for teachers, choral directors, and music educators, including:

• Impacts of gender and identity in teaching singers
• Inclusive language especially for voice classifications
• Strategies for teaching
• Repertoire considerations
• Professional responsibility and socio-emotional support in the studio

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538166680
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/15/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	306
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

William Sauerland (he/they) is an assistant professor of music and director of choral studies at the School of Music of Purdue University Fort Wayne. He also has ten years of experience in directing community choruses, including the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus and the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco.

Table of Contents

List of Figures and Tables

Preface. Locating Myself

Chapter 1. Understanding Gender in Teaching and Learning

Chapter 2. Shifting Perspective: Theoretical Framework & Methodology

Chapter 3. Trans Feminine Singers

Chapter 4. Trans Masculine Singers

Chapter 5. Trans-Nonbinary Singers

Chapter 6. Pedagogical Considerations for Gender-Affirming Vocal Music Education

Chapter 7. Queering as a Teacher’s Habit of Mind

Appendix 1. Glossary of LGBTQ+ Terms

Appendix 2. Short List of Songs Written for TGQ Singers or by TGQ Composers

Appendix 3. Musicals & Opera Featuring Gender Expansive Characters

Appendix 4. Gender-Neutral Performance Attire Guidelines

Appendix 5. Sample Affirmation Policy Statement for Studio Teachers and Choral Directors

Appendix 6. Additional Resources

Selected Bibliography

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Queering Vocal Pedagogy is indeed an insightful contribution providing endless vocal strategies to assist TGQ singers, reinforcing student-centered education, and fostering affirming environments in vocal studios. It is highly organized and provides multiple case studies and interviews that highlight diverse vocal journeys. By scaffolding pedagogy with constructive tools to strengthen the vocal mechanism, this compilation becomes a prominent resource for vocal pedagogues and singers, encouraging an everlasting reflection of pedagogical practices.

Voice and Speech Review

Queering Vocal Pedagogy is as practical as it is compassionate, offering invaluable insights and descriptions of best practices designed to encourage teachers to see every student, as Sauerland states, “as a whole, emotional, worthy human.” Voice teachers who approach the book with an open mind and an open heart are bound to find ways to make their studios more inclusive, their teaching more impactful, and their worldviews more accepting.

Classical Singer Magazine

Queering Vocal Pedagogy is a powerful call to action for artists and teachers to create lasting change for gender-affirming vocal music education—an essential text. William Sauerland stirringly inquires gender issues inherent in vocal performance and the studio, inviting educators to re-conceive historical, generalizable music-making spaces in more inclusive ways.

Cara Bernard

This is an important book for those of us who have devoted ourselves to helping others find their voice. William Sauerland reminds us that the important word in that phrase is “their”, encouraging us to examine our own implicit biases while working towards true collaboration with our students. It is both a practical and an inspiring reminder of what our relationship with students should be.

Nicole Hanig

This book contains crucial information for singing teachers who work with trans and genderqueer singers. William Sauerland strikes a dynamic balance of personal connection, literature review, case studies, and examples of practical application, and he invites personal reflection.

Sarah Maines

Queering Vocal Pedagogy is a powerful call to action for artists and teachers to create lasting change for gender-affirming vocal music education--an essential text. William Sauerland stirringly inquires gender issues inherent in vocal performance and the studio, inviting educators to re-conceive historical, generalizable music-making spaces in more inclusive ways.

Queering Vocal Pedagogy is as practical as it is compassionate, offering invaluable insights and descriptions of best practices designed to encourage teachers to see every student, as Sauerland states, "as a whole, emotional, worthy human." Voice teachers who approach the book with an open mind and an open heart are bound to find ways to make their studios more inclusive, their teaching more impactful, and their worldviews more accepting.

This book contains crucial information for singing teachers who work with trans and genderqueer singers. William Sauerland strikes a dynamic balance of personal connection, literature review, case studies, and examples of practical application, and he invites personal reflection.

This is an important book for those of us who have devoted ourselves to helping others find their voice. William Sauerland reminds us that the important word in that phrase is "their", encouraging us to examine our own implicit biases while working towards true collaboration with our students. It is both a practical and an inspiring reminder of what our relationship with students should be.

From the Publisher