New research from Belinda Densley, PhD candidate in the La Trobe Rural Health School, is shedding light on the hidden work of group singing facilitators.
“My aim is to develop a theory of group singing facilitation grounded in the experiences and practices of expert facilitators. I am interested in understanding common practices and principles of group singing facilitation and the ways in which facilitators influence group functioning and participation,” she says.
To do this, she interviewed experienced facilitators about their work. The result is Creating Song Magic, a grounded theory that captures and explains the invisible work involved in leading community singing groups.
“Creating Song Magic includes four categories: Advocating, curating, welcoming and sustaining harmonious expression, and transforming communities.”
“Together, these categories help us understand how group singing facilitators contribute to health and wellbeing and provide a sense of meaning and purpose for participants.”
With more than 20 years' experience facilitating singing groups in regional Victoria, Belinda hopes her research will deepen understanding of how these groups operate and thrive.
“Creating Song Magic supports the replication of effective facilitation practices and informs professional development for group singing facilitators.”
“It also has the potential to influence community health initiatives as well as policy and education reform. For example, the findings have already informed a submission by Community Music Victoria to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Creative and Cultural Funding.”
“The enduring and unifying power of group singing is clear,” Belinda says. “I hope my research can help raise awareness of the important, ongoing health promotion work already being done by singing facilitators in our communities.”
As part of her research, Belinda has created a podcast series called Creating Song Magic.
