Doctoral dissertation: Language-aware choirs can exceed merely musical purposes
In her doctoral research, Johanna Lehtinen-Schnabel shows that language-aware choir activities can support not only the learning of Finnish, but also cultural, social and societal participation, community buliding, and active citizenship.
The study challenges traditional understanding of choral singing and offers new perspectives on how the arts can be responsive to the interconnected challenges of contemporary society.
Art, language and community
Lehtinen-Schnabel examined multilingual and intercultural choirs in which Finnish language learning was integrated into choir practice based on the life-based needs and wishes of the singers themselves.
The study involved two choirs based in the Helsinki metropolitan area. Choir members had moved to Finland as adults and had various linguistic and musical backgrounds. In one choir alone, more than 20 different first (home) languages were spoken.
Language-aware choir practice promotes dialogue between different languages and cultures in a variety of ways. Different languages and modes of expression, such as vocal, emotional and embodied modes, are used to support and enhance communication and learning. Pronunciation, sound discrimination, spoken language use, and interaction are approached not only through singing songs, but also by means of improvisation, lyrics creation, sharing participants’ own songs, and playful musical exploration with speech sounds, words, and rhythm of language.
Choral singing can help build social relationships, foster a sense of community and strengthen feelings of belonging in society. Lehtinen-Schnabel found that a language-aware approach in a choir can support courage and confidence in using language, support phonological processes and spoken language production, as well as provide novel meaningful opportunities to practise language use in a safe, mistake-tolerant, and motivating environment.
Choirs have potential to serve broader social spaces than is often assumed. They are not only places for making music, but also places where people can meet one another and, advance participation and, in the best case, build a sense of inclusion,” says Lehtinen-Schnabel.
The study challenges assumptions about the role of the arts
Based on the findings, Lehtinen-Schnabel’s doctoral research demonstrates that artistic activities can simultaneously serve multiple purposes. A choir can be an artistic community, a learning environment and a space for social encounters all at once.
The research highlights the importance of a transdisciplinary approach, in which music, language learning and social participation are understood not as separate but as interconnected phenomena.
“The arts can play an active role in shaping society. At the same time, this challenges us to rethink what musical professionalism and music education can mean in today’s world.”
Towards more sustainable and accessible arts practices
Lehtinen-Schnabel’s research offers new perspectives on how art and culture can respond to the changing needs of society.
Multilingual, language-aware choirs demonstrate how barriers to participation can be reduced and how artistic activities can be made more accessible. At the same time, they an promote equality, community building and intercultural dialogue.
The study broadens understanding of music education as a driver of social change and as a means of building more sustainable futures.
Public examination of the doctoral dissertation
The doctoral dissertation in music education by Johanna Lehtinen-Schnabel, Beyond disciplinary boundaries: Language-aware choirs driving transformative change in music education, will be publicly examined at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki on 10 October 2026 at 12.00 noon.
For further information about the public defence, please see the event details.