Predictors of Choral Directors' Voice Handicap

Vocal demands of teaching are considerable and these challenges are greater for choral directors who depend on the voice as a musical and instructive instrument. The purpose of this study was to (1) examine choral directors' vocal condition using a modified Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and (2) determine the extent to which the major variables influencing vocal health (age, gender, years of teaching, and vocal health training) predicted VHI scores. Results indicated no significant differences between VHI scores of male and female choral directors. VHI reliability was high and although the major variables influencing vocal health failed to predict VHI scores, the topic of teachers' voice problems is abundant in the literature. Choral directors' scores on the modified VHI, a self-report tool, may signify a lack of awareness or willingness to reveal information. Further research about functional vocal changes of choral directors is needed in order to preserve quality of life and job efficacy.