Editing Choir (section)

=== In schools ===
In the United States, middle schools and high schools often offer choir as a class or activity. Some choirs participate in competitions. One kind of choir popular in high schools is [[show choir]]. During middle school and high school students' voices are changing. Although girls experience [[voice change]], it is much more significant in boys. A lot of literature in music education has been focused on how male voice change works and how to help adolescent male singers.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last=Fisher|first=Ryan A.|date=2014-10-01|title=The Impacts of the Voice Change, Grade Level, and Experience on the Singing Self-Efficacy of Emerging Adolescent Males|journal=[[Journal of Research in Music Education]]|volume=62|issue=3|pages=277–290|doi=10.1177/0022429414544748|s2cid=143947270|issn=0022-4294}}</ref> Research done by John Cooksey categorizes male voice change into five stages, and most middle school boys are in the early stages of change.<ref name=":3" /> The vocal range of male and female students may be limited while their voice is changing, and choir teachers must be able to adapt, which can be a challenge to teaching this age range.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Robinson|first=Russell L.|date=September 2007|title=Junior High/Middle School Choirs|journal=Choral Journal|volume=48|issue=3|pages=41–48}}</ref>

Nationally, male students are enrolled in choir at much lower numbers than their female students.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Elpus|first=Kenneth|date=2015-01-02|title=National estimates of male and female enrolment in American high school choirs, bands and orchestras|journal=Music Education Research|volume=17|issue=1|pages=88–102|doi=10.1080/14613808.2014.972923|s2cid=143560172|issn=1461-3808}}</ref> The music education field has had a longtime interest in the "missing males" in music programs.<ref name=":0" /> Speculation as to why there are not as many boys in choir, and possible solutions vary widely. One researcher found that boys who enjoy choir in middle school may not always go on to high school choir because it simply does not fit into their schedules.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Sweet|first=Bridget|date=2010-02-25|title=A Case Study: Middle School Boys' Perceptions of Singing and Participation in Choir|journal= [[Update: Applications of Research in Music Education]]|volume=28|issue=2|pages=5–12|doi=10.1177/8755123310361770|s2cid=145316612}}</ref> Some research speculates that one reason that boys' participation in choir is so low is because the U.S. does not encourage male singers.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Demorest|first=Steven M.|date=Jan 2000|title=Encouraging male participation in chorus|journal=[[Music Educators Journal]]|volume=86|issue=4|pages=38–41|issn=0027-4321|doi=10.2307/3399604|jstor=3399604|s2cid=142062270}}</ref> Often, schools will have a women's choir, which helps the balance issues mixed choirs face by taking on extra female singers. However, without a men's choir also, this can make the problem worse by not giving boys as many opportunities to sing as girls.<ref name=":0" /> Other researchers have noted that having an ensemble, or a workshop dedicated to male singers, can help with their confidence and singing abilities.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> British cathedral choirs are usually made from pupils enrolled in schools.