Participation in a choir, either as a choir member or as a conductor, comes with benefits, such as social engagement, musical interaction, artistic expression and a sense of fulfillment (Boswell, 2022; Jansson & Balsness, 2021; Jansson et al., 2021; Robens et al., 2024). The purpose of this paper is to collectively explore the functions, roles and subjective experiences of participation in university choirs and community adult choirs, of choristers and conductors in Greece. The research question sought to be answered is how participation in university and adult choirs affects personal development, social cohesion and emotional well-being, and how the role of the conductor in enhancing these experiences is reflected. Qualitative methodology was utilized with a case study design with a total sample of 28 participants, namely 10 student members (6 female and 4 male) of university choirs, 10 adult members (9 female and 1 male) of community choirs, and 8 adult choir conductors (5 female and 3 male), from various places of Greece. Individual interviews were conducted which were analysed inductively. The thematic categories that emerged from three smaller separate studies covered a wide range of experiences of the participants, namely conductors, adult choristers and university student choristers, attempting to capture the imprint of participation on personal development, social interaction and sense of well-being. The thematic categories analyse the motivations, challenges and benefits as experienced by choir members of different age groups.  Students and adult choir participants appear to be motivated by artistic expression, personal growth and communication, find emotional relief and develop strong social bonds with the group. The role of the choir conductor emerges as a central theme, with conductors not only guiding music instruction, but also promoting group cohesion and personal development of participants. In any capacity of choir involvement, participation has been shown to significantly enhance emotional well-being, reduce stress, and build a sense of community  (Bartleet et al., 2022; Robens et al., 2024). This holistic approach to the phenomenon under study has allowed the transformative power of choral music to emerge, both for the individuals involved and the wider community they shape.

• Social musical settings
• Meaningful musical experiences
• Music and communities

Despoina Aristeidou is a graduate of the Pedagogical Department of Special Education of the University of Thessaly, a student of the postgraduate program  "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community" of the Ionian University and also holds a degree in piano with the grade "Excellent Unanimous” and commendation for virtuosity. She has participated in numerous concerts, performances, recordings and projects in collaboration with organizations that support vulnerable social groups. Since 2018 she works as a special education teacher in public education and since 2020 as a piano teacher in a conservatory in Volos.  Her interests focus on music education programs for school-age and teenage children. 

Mariefi Vlataki is a kindergarten teacher, graduated from the University of Patras, piano degree holder and a graduate of the Three-Year Music and Movement Education Program based on the Carl Orff approach. She has taught music to preschoolers, children, teenagers and adults. She works as a primary education teacher and at a conservatory. She is a postgraduate student of the program "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community" of the Ionian University. 

Niki Vlachaki is a graduate of the Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University and completed her studies in Music Sciences (Music Pedagogy and Psychology of Music). She is currently a postgraduate student at the Department of Music Pedagogy of the Ionian University in the direction of "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community".

Zacharias Zahoulis is an honours graduate of the Department of Music Studies, specializing in Music Pedagogy and Psychology of Music and a student of the postgraduate program "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community" of the Ionian University. He has many years experience, teaching music in public primary and secondary schools. In addition he has organised music education courses and taught at music institutions. His teaching interests focus on the interdisciplinary and experiential approach in music learning.

Eleftheria Thani is a graduate of the Department of Economics of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Department of Music Studies of the University of Ioannina. She is a student of the postgraduate program "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community" of the Ionian University. She works as a music teacher in Primary Education.

Vasilis Lekkas attended bouzouki lessons from an early age at the municipal conservatory of the city of Ioannina. He graduated from the Department of Music Studies of the University of Ioannina, specializing in three-string bouzouki. He is a student of the postgraduate program "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community" of the Ionian University. He works as a bouzouki teacher at the music high school of Igoumenitsa and the municipal conservatory of Ioannina, and also performs live in various events.

Helen Leonida is an honours graduate of the Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University, specialising in Music Pedagogy and Psychology of Music and a graduate of the postgraduate programme "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community" of the same university. She has been involved in teaching music to infants, toddlers and enhancing musical skills of young mothers. Her research so far has focused on the context of music in the community and she currently works as a musician in a nursery school and a music school.

Margarita Xanthakis is a graduate of the Department of Primary Education at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) and a student of the Master's program "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community" at the Ionian University. She has been involved in music-educational programs through the "Playmakers of the Tower" group of the Faculty of Education at AUTH and has participated in musical performances in Greece and abroad with choirs, orchestras, and philharmonic ensembles.

Maria Petaniti holds a degree from the Department of Music Science and Art at the University of Macedonia, specializing in Applied Music Studies. She is currently a postgraduate student in the Master’s program "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community" at the Ionian University. She has been actively involved in music education programs in conservatories, daycare centers, music workshops, and various institutions. The academic year 2024-2025 marks her first appointment as a substitute music teacher in a public elementary school. Her research interests focus on community music and informal, experiential learning. Additionally, she has a strong passion for group dynamics, percussion, and musical improvisation. 

Maria Sakka is a graduate of the Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University with a specialization in "Music Pedagogy and Music Psychology" and a student of the postgraduate program "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community" of the same University. Since 2014 she has been working in Ioannina as a music teacher in a conservatory and has been involved in music education programs in conservatories, kindergartens, music workshops and other institutions. She has participated as a volunteer musician in various structures and her interests revolve around different ways of approaching music pedagogy.  

Michalis Spyridakis is a graduate of the Department of History and Archaeology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and holds a degree in violin. He is currently a student of the postgraduate program "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community" at the Ionian University. He has many years of teaching experience in secondary education as a violin teacher at the music school of Heraklion, while he actively participates in the musical events of the city.

Sotiris Sotiriou is a graduate of the Department of Music Studies at Ionian University, where he majored in composition. He has participated in concerts both in Greece and abroad as part of the undergraduate program in Music Studies at Ionian University, performing with the orchestra and vocal ensemble. He is currently a student in the postgraduate programme "Music Pedagogy in School and Community" at Ionian University.

Katerina Tsolakidou is a graduate of the Department of Music Studies of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a candidate for a degree in piano. She is a student of the postgraduate program "Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community" of the Ionian University. For the last six years she has been active in the field of music education, while for the last two years she has been working as a music teacher in Primary Education. 

Eirini Fountoulaki is a graduate of the Department of Music Studies at the Ionian University, specializing in Music Pedagogy and Psychology of Music. She is a postgraduate student in the Master of Arts in “Music Pedagogy in Schools and the Community” at the Ionian University. Today she works as a musician in a conservatory and in music ensembles in hotels.