Exploring Motivation, Retention and Faith Formation Among University Choral Scholars: The Director of Music as Reflective Practitioner

This article evaluates the university choral scholar model for establishing faith development through choral music rehearsals and singing services, employing the lens of a reflective journal kept by the director of music operating as the reflective practitioner at Lancaster Priory. The reflective journal was resourced by 45 weeks of choral scholar rehearsals in preparation for Choral Evensongs and Choral Eucharists attended by the worshipping community. Insights from the reflective journal, tested through focus groups, highlight three key issues: motivation to engage in the activity of being university choral scholars; retention of university choral scholars, keeping them engaged with the worship and rehearsal activities; and the place of faith in the experience of university choral scholars. These data challenge the assumption that the role of director of music among university choral scholars is primarily musical rather than spiritual.