A Comparison of Middle to High School Male Retention Rates in Tenor-Bass Choirs and Mixed Choirs in Georgia

Documentation quantitatively measuring the effect of tenor-bass ensembles in the recruitment and retention of male singers is limited within the literature. Without data, choral music educators may lack the evidence to justify adjusting their choral program offerings to include all-male ensembles. This quantitative, causal-comparative study compares eighth to ninth grade male student retention between schools in the state of Georgia that offer the all-male or tenor-bass model and those that do not. This study investigates the correlation between the number of male students who continue choral enrollment between eighth and ninth grades and their prior participation in middle school tenor-bass or mixed choirs. The research aims to determine if participation in a tenor-bass choral ensemble influences the retention of middle school males as they advance to high school. The study involves surveying middle school choral directors across the state of Georgia, comparing the eighth to ninth grade male enrollment data of programs offering all-male ensembles with those that do not. The goal of this study is to assist directors in implementing the appropriate steps to continue engaging male singers. New data will promote higher male retention rates in secondary choral ensembles. The study will encourage future research on how all-male ensembles enhance middle school singers’ musical experiences and contribute to forming a choral singing identity among male students.