Queering Vocal Pedagogy with William Sauerland

VoiceCare BookClub—We all have books we want to read to learn more about the voice, so let's do it in community and meet the authors!

This month we will dive into: "Queering Vocal Pedagogy: A Handbook for Teaching Trans and Genderqueer Singers and Fostering Gender-Affirming Spaces" by William Sauerland. Our discussion will include author William Sauerland, and the evening will be moderated by SVI certified vocologist Beth Falcone. Bring a cup of your favorite beverage and settle in for an informal discussion. Scroll down for more information about these scholars.

Digital book can be purchased here: .

2D Location (via Zoom): Cafe D, Holidayopolis.

Sponsored by the Human Compatible Learning Center, founder: the late Dr. Leon Thurman

ABOUT THE BOOK

Queering Vocal Pedagogy presents a new vision of gender-affirming vocal music education and richly explores the experiences, perspectives, and vocal training of trans(gender) and genderqueer singers.

This groundbreaking text weaves together singers’ narratives with the practices and pedagogies of their teachers to provide a model for training gender expansive vocalists. William Sauerland promotes a two-fold action: first, cultivating gender-affirming practices for teaching trans and genderqueer singers, and second, disentangling vocal pedagogy from practices and traditions that have historically promoted cisgender narratives.

Through case studies representing various identities within the gender expansive population, this book provides an insider’s view to lesson pacing, vocal exercises, repertoire, and processes toward vocal development. Sauerland provides a wealth of practical and theoretical knowledge for teachers, choral directors, and music educators, including:

• Impacts of gender and identity in teaching singers
• Inclusive language especially for voice classifications
• Strategies for teaching
• Repertoire considerations
• Professional responsibility and socio-emotional support in the studio

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

William Sauerland is an Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies for the School of Music at Purdue University – Fort Wayne. He conducts the university choral ensembles, teaches classes in conducting and music education, and supervises student teachers. He was previously a Lecturer in Voice at San Francisco State University, and the Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Chabot College in Hayward, CA. Dr. Sauerland taught choral music at Lick-Wilmerding High School for six years, and served as Associate Music Director for the Grammy Award-winning Pacific Boychoir Academy.

Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for his “limpid tone and astonishing eloquence,” Dr. Sauerland remains active as a professional countertenor. His recent solo appearances include the American Bach Soloists, Festival Opera Company, Folger Consort, Handel Opera Project, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, Oakland Symphony Orchestra, and Pacific Chorale. A former member of the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer, Dr. Sauerland has sung throughout the world, and recorded multiple albums for Warner Classics.

Dr. Sauerland received the Doctorate of Education in Music and Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. His research interests include social justice pedagogy in vocal music education, trans and non-binary vocality, and student-centered teaching. His publications appear in the Journal of Singing, Journal of Music Teacher Education, VOICEPrints (Journal of the New York Singing Teachers’ Association), and in the forthcoming book, The Art of the Choral Music Educator. As a Marshall Scholarship recipient, he earned a Master of Music and Post-Graduate Diploma in Advanced Vocal Performance from the Royal College of Music in London. Raised on a small dairy farm in Ohio, he received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Event Venue

Online