InChoir – Harmonising inclusion in choral music
InChoir investigates how inclusive choral practices are developed, sustained, and understood across different European contexts, and how they can contribute to more equitable and socially sustainable cultural and educational environments.
About the project
The project explores the role of choral music as a space for participation, inclusion, and social cohesion in contemporary European societies. At a time marked by increasing social fragmentation, cultural diversity, and educational inequalities, choral practices offer a unique context in which people from different backgrounds can meet, collaborate, and create shared meanings through music.
InChoir investigates how inclusive choral practices are developed, sustained, and understood across different European contexts, and how they can contribute to more equitable and socially sustainable cultural and educational environments. The project combines perspectives from music education, social sciences, and cultural policy to generate new knowledge about the ethical, pedagogical, and professional dimensions of inclusive music-making.
Why choral music?
Choirs are supposed to be one of the most accessible forms of collective music-making.
They do not require previous instrumental training, expensive equipment, or specialised facilities, and they can bring together participants of different ages, abilities, languages, and cultural backgrounds.
Because of this accessibility, choral singing has significant potential to promote:
- social inclusion
- intercultural dialogue
- community building
- emotional wellbeing
- democratic participation in the arts
However, inclusive practices also raise complex questions about quality, professionalism, ethics, and institutional structures.
InChoir examines these tensions in order to better understand how music education can respond to contemporary societal challenges.
Objectives
The project aims to:
- map inclusive choral practices in Europe
- analyse the professional and ethical dimensions of inclusive music leadership
- develop guidelines for practitioners and educators
- contribute to academic research in music education and social inclusion
- support dialogue between universities, cultural institutions, and community organisations
- promote the role of the arts as a driver of social sustainability
The project also seeks to strengthen connections between research and practice, ensuring that academic knowledge can inform real-world cultural and educational work.
Researcher Borja Juan Morera
Borja Juan Morera is a music education researcher whose work focuses on inclusive music practices, community music, and the social role of choral singing. His research combines academic investigation with long-term experience in socio-musical projects and inclusive choirs.
Before joining Uniarts Helsinki, he completed his PhD at the University of Zaragoza, where he conducted ethnographic research on inclusive choral practice. His work explores how musical participation can contribute to social inclusion, educational innovation, and cultural democracy.
Activities
During the project, the following activities will take place:
- academic publications
- interviews and qualitative research
- seminars and workshops
- collaboration with cultural and educational organisations
- public presentations and outreach events
- development of guidelines for inclusive choral practice
The project will also contribute to international research networks in music education, community music, and arts-based social research.
Project name
InChoir – Harmonising Inclusion in Choral Music
Time
01/2026-12/2027
Funder
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship of the European Union
Team
Supervisor: Professor Heidi Westerlund
Lead organisation
Sibelius Academy
Contact
-
Borja Juan Morera
Post Doc Researcher, Sibelius-Akatemian tohtoriohjelma, Sibelius Academy+358503316630borja.juan.morera@uniarts.fi
About the project
The project explores the role of choral music as a space for participation, inclusion, and social cohesion in contemporary European societies. At a time marked by increasing social fragmentation, cultural diversity, and educational inequalities, choral practices offer a unique context in which people from different backgrounds can meet, collaborate, and create shared meanings through music.
InChoir investigates how inclusive choral practices are developed, sustained, and understood across different European contexts, and how they can contribute to more equitable and socially sustainable cultural and educational environments. The project combines perspectives from music education, social sciences, and cultural policy to generate new knowledge about the ethical, pedagogical, and professional dimensions of inclusive music-making.
Why choral music?
Choirs are supposed to be one of the most accessible forms of collective music-making.
They do not require previous instrumental training, expensive equipment, or specialised facilities, and they can bring together participants of different ages, abilities, languages, and cultural backgrounds.
Because of this accessibility, choral singing has significant potential to promote:
- social inclusion
- intercultural dialogue
- community building
- emotional wellbeing
- democratic participation in the arts
However, inclusive practices also raise complex questions about quality, professionalism, ethics, and institutional structures.
InChoir examines these tensions in order to better understand how music education can respond to contemporary societal challenges.
Objectives
The project aims to:
- map inclusive choral practices in Europe
- analyse the professional and ethical dimensions of inclusive music leadership
- develop guidelines for practitioners and educators
- contribute to academic research in music education and social inclusion
- support dialogue between universities, cultural institutions, and community organisations
- promote the role of the arts as a driver of social sustainability
The project also seeks to strengthen connections between research and practice, ensuring that academic knowledge can inform real-world cultural and educational work.
Researcher Borja Juan Morera
Borja Juan Morera is a music education researcher whose work focuses on inclusive music practices, community music, and the social role of choral singing. His research combines academic investigation with long-term experience in socio-musical projects and inclusive choirs.
Before joining Uniarts Helsinki, he completed his PhD at the University of Zaragoza, where he conducted ethnographic research on inclusive choral practice. His work explores how musical participation can contribute to social inclusion, educational innovation, and cultural democracy.
Activities
During the project, the following activities will take place:
- academic publications
- interviews and qualitative research
- seminars and workshops
- collaboration with cultural and educational organisations
- public presentations and outreach events
- development of guidelines for inclusive choral practice
The project will also contribute to international research networks in music education, community music, and arts-based social research.