Research Shorts: Choral Participation for Human Flourishing

This week, I spoke with Prof. Simone Krüger Bridge about her recent project entitled ‘Choral Participation for Human Flourishing: Evaluating the Impact of a Cathedral School’s Singing Programme’. This research explores how primary school children taking part in a Cathedral School’s singing programme reflect on what they learn, how they feel and why singing matters, showing how high-quality choral outreach supports not just musical learning but also children’s confidence, wellbeing and sense of belonging.

The study is based on 288 weekly choir journals written by children aged 7–11years, across ten primary schools in the Liverpool City Region, supported by questionnaires and interviews with teachers and parents. The journals included reflections, tick-boxes and drawings, and were thematically analysed. Four key domains of experience were identified: musical learning and skill development, aesthetic encounter, social connectedness, and emotional expression and regulation. All research was ethically approved and anonymised.

Children said singing helped them feel more confident, happy and calm. They learnt musical skills, built friendships and took pride in performing. Singing in a cathedral made the experience feel special, exciting and deeply memorable.

This research is relevant to music educators, music outreach providers, cathedral music departments and policymakers. It demonstrates that choral singing fosters  confidence, well-being and musical growth. Schools and music leaders can use these findings to champion inclusive, high-quality singing programmes and better understand the wider value of musical participation in children’s lives. The study also shows how reflexive journals can be used to capture participants’ experiences and encourage them to engage with their own learning.

 Simone is a Professor of Cultural Musicology at Liverpool John Moores University, where she explores how music transforms lives and communities, particularly through cathedral choral traditions, global popular music cultures, and outreach initiatives in both the UK and Latin America. Her research, including landmark studies of cathedral choral outreach, has helped reshape understandings of music’s social and cultural value. As a passionate advocate for inclusive access to music, she is also a trustee of the Rodolfus Choral Foundation and a supporter of the Cathedral Music Trust.

Read more:

• To find out more about Simone’s research project on the cathedral schools’ singing programme, please download the full-length research report: LJMU Research Online
• The academic journal article that this research is based on is available here.
• Read Simone’s article about the Cathedral’s first Schools Singing Programme Conference held in 2025: A new generation of singers
• Read more about Simone’s work on her academic staff page.
• Follow Simone on Linkedin.

Written by Kerry Bunkhall – Research Manager for Music Mark