How a Virtual Choir Enhances Social Capital

This paper examines the link between social capital and a virtual choir. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, with an intensified perception of alienation, community, church, and university choirs used the format of a virtual choir to continue the singing and performance practice of choral music. Created by a user-generated choir with uploaded videos and audio, a virtual choir is the final synchronized mix of these various files producing a unified performance. The challenge is to maintain and grow the virtual experience. A living sense of community and connection with others is a characteristic of the choral music process. Obstacles to overcome in the preparation and execution of a virtual choir participation include familiarity and facility with current technologies, the alienation of individually learning, preparing, and performing the singer’s part and the lack of the traditional choral experience of interacting with individuals on a personal and sonic level. Using testimonials of singers involved in a virtual choir experience and current research regarding varied examples of developed choral practices, a clear demonstration of social capital is evident. Social capital is the value created by social relationships with likely returns in the form of good will, sympathy, and social networks.