The work of conductor as manager and the organizational perspective of choral singing: interdisciplinary contributions for managers and conductors

• Grant number: 09/14753-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2010
• End date: December 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Administration - Administration of Specific Sectors
• Principal Investigator: Edmundo Escrivão Filho
• Grantee: Rita de Cássia Fucci Amato
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The research aims at exploring the interdisciplinarity among the areas of operations management and music (choral conducting), analyzing the organizational and administrative aspects pertaining to the management function of choir conductor and to the choirs' work, as well as uncovering the similarities, differences and mutual contributions of conducting practice for the manager's performance and of management theory for the work of conductor. The study will be conducted in two phases: first, there will be an interdisciplinary literature review in the areas of business administration and music (choral conducting). Will be discussed in the foreground, approaches of the administrative work and the organizational dimension of choral singing, the latter one with an emphasis on literature about the organization of small businesses, since they share organizational features with the choruses because of their dimension. Will be discussed, as well, as related issues, the concepts of competencies and abilities, the vision of leadership (as an ability) and the motivational aspect. In a second step, the empirical research, will be studied numerous cases of 6 (six) to 8 (eight) choirs from São Paulo city (Brazil), covering the different categories (professional, semi-professional and amateur). Data collection will be conducted through semi-structured questionnaires, to be applied to conductors and choristers, observation and recording of rehearsals and interviews with choir directors. Thus, we intend to generate useful knowledge to choir conductors - highlighting what they can improve on their management practice, from administrative theories - to and business managers, particularly managers of small organizations, focusing on what they can learn from administrative practice developed by the choir directors.