Diversity in the Voice Studio : Exploring "Diverse" American Art Song

Abstract

The vocal literature used in undergraduate voice study at American institutions is largely comprised of songs by composers of the Western European canon; inclusion of American music has only recently become more prevalent. We hypothesized that more American music is available than is being utilized, especially art songs by composers of diverse backgrounds, and that studying art songs by these composers could expand a student?s concept of diversity. Our goal was to create a source to aid in choosing and locating art songs that would increase students' knowledge of diversity.