Prison Choirs and Choirs for Those Experiencing Homelessness: Landscape and Social Justice Impact in the United States

This study provides an overview of prison choirs and choirs for those experiencing homelessness in the United States: where these types of groups exist, defining the work they’re doing with the populations mentioned, and identifying both the best practices and major challenges these types of groups face. Additionally, this study discusses the impact these types of groups have had on their members and surrounding communities in the following areas: social justice, education, and health and rehabilitation. This study began with a comprehensive literature review focused on social capital development in choirs. The fieldwork first identified choirs by tracking online presence and includes interviews with directors of both prison choirs and choirs for those experiencing homelessness. Overall, the work of these two types of choirs contribute to the area of social justice through community cohesion, community building and empowerment, and political activation.