Article

Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

Formation of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and

nature

Formación de la práctica coral desde la perspectiva de los derechos humanos y la naturaleza

Formação em prática coral na perspectiva dos direitos humanos e da natureza

Janina Suárez Pinzón

Teachers Universidad de las Artes de Ecuador, Guayaquil, Ecuador

janina.suarez@uartes.edu.ec, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3418-0375

Yanella Duarte

Teachers Universidad de las Artes de Ecuador, Guayaquil, Ecuador

yanella.duarte@uartes.edu.ec, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3305-1483

Received January 2022 - Accepted May 2022

Revista Iberoamericana de la Educación

Vol - 6 No. 3, July - September 2022

e-ISSN: 2737-632x

Pgs 1-14

Abstract: Since ancient times the ethos of choral music or chorality has had

a singular relationship with the human being, through it he has

communicated, allied and fought for his rights in dissimilar circumstances. In

this case we propose the process of choral work post pandemic of a choral

group of elderly women and their rehabilitation of vocal skills, rhythmic,

attention, coordination, as well as social relations. This process that is born

from the University of the Arts of Ecuador will be closely related to two

components such as musical education for vulnerable groups and human

rights where our objective will be to create, produce and disseminate their

recognition in the construction of methodologies in the visual and sound field

deriving in an artistic production.

Keywords:

Choral education, older adults, human rights, link with society,

higher education.

Article

Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

Resumen: Desde la antigüedad el ethos de la música coral o coralidad ha

guardado singular relación con el ser humano a través de ella se ha

comunicado, aliado y luchado por sus derechos es disimiles circunstancias.

En este caso se propone el proceso de trabajo coral post pandemia de un grupo

coral de adultas mayores y su rehabilitación de habilidades vocales, rítmicas,

de atención, coordinación, así como las relaciones sociales. Este proceso que

nace desde la Universidad de las Artes de Ecuador estará estrechamente

relacionado a dos componentes como son la educación musical para grupos

vulnerables y los derechos humanos donde nuestro objetivo será recabar

crear, producir y difundir su reconocimiento en la construcción de

metodologías en el ámbito visual y sonoro derivando en una producción

artística.

Palabras clave:

Educación coral, adultas mayores, derechos humanos,

vinculación con la sociedad, educación superior.

Resumo: Desde a antiguidade que o ethos da música coral ou coral tem tido

uma relação singular com os seres humanos, através da qual eles têm

comunicado, aliado e lutado pelos seus direitos em circunstâncias diferentes.

Neste caso, propomos o processo de trabalho coral pós-pandémico de um

grupo coral de mulheres idosas e a sua reabilitação de capacidades vocais,

rítmicas, de atenção, de coordenação e de relações sociais. Este processo que

nasce da Universidade das Artes do Equador estará intimamente relacionado

com duas componentes como a educação musical para grupos vulneráveis e

os direitos humanos, onde o nosso objectivo será criar, produzir e divulgar o

seu reconhecimento na construção de metodologias no campo visual e sonoro

decorrentes de uma produção artística.

Article

Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

Palavras-chave:

Educação coral, adultos idosos, direitos humanos, ligação

com a sociedade, ensino superior.

INTRODUCTION

Our qualitative research established relationships between choral music

education and human rights in order to identify methodologies and good

practices applicable in the priority territories for the University of the Arts -

UArtes to carry out its link with the community. In this regard, we recall that

the Ecuadorian Constitution has made reforms to change the focus and offer

of public education in the arts and thus be able to contrast with the region:

Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico and Cuba, countries where there are still

universities of the arts, free of charge.

As an essential human right, education is oriented towards the full

development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity, in

accordance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural

Rights. This is associated with the San Salvador Protocol, which promotes

respect for human rights, ideological pluralism, fundamental freedoms,

justice and peace.

The question addressed in our research was related to the responsibility that

Higher Education Institutions - HEIs would have to assume for a socialization

of actions to achieve collective strategies that allow an implementation and

educational strengthening in human rights in Ecuador.

HEIs structure bases for citizenship training by strengthening links between

members of the educational community, however, according to what was

analyzed by Hernández and De la Cruz Flores (2017) in the Latin American

context, teaching methodologies that do not connect with social needs and

practices that respond to the conditions experienced in the localities persist.

Article

Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

At the global level, States will ensure inclusive, equitable and quality

education and promote lifelong learning opportunities based on human rights

as expressed in goal 4.7. of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

and found in the Guiding Principles for Human Rights Education Activities

established by UNESCO in its World Programme for Human Rights

Education.

Articles 12 and 71 of the Organic Law of Higher Education of Ecuador speak

of ensuring the same possibilities in access, permanence, mobility and

graduation from the Higher Education System without discrimination of

gender, creed, sexual orientation, ethnicity, culture, political preference,

socioeconomic status, mobility or disability. The above was reinforced by the

Higher Education Council - CES with its Regulation to Guarantee Equality

of All Actors in the Higher Education System.

Education is a constitutional right based on human rights that promote holistic

development, gender equity, justice, peace and interculturality. Since 1998,

Ecuador's public policy priorities for the achievement of Sumak Kawsay have

had to do with integrating all levels of formal and non-formal education into

the National Human Rights Plan.

Specifically, by determining parameters for diagnosis and territorial work,

UArtes strengthened networks based on cooperation and solidarity to

guarantee knowledge and the exercise of full citizenship. It is important to

highlight that by building citizenship, the resilience of the democratic system

in contemporary times is being rethought.

As UArtes our intention is reciprocal learning, co-responsibility and dialogue

of knowledge to envision collective solutions for social and institutional

transformation. These solutions project us as a university that explores artistic

practices and pedagogical processes by creating and producing together, not

only in the city of Guayaquil but also in the country. For example, the

Article

Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

problems that have been addressed in organizations, educational system,

neighborhoods or villages such as the circulation of the arts, environment,

food sovereignty, gender, memory, orality, heritage, public space, land

conflicts, interculturalism and public policies.

The challenge of our research was to generate an inclusive and face-to-face

space with older adults through choral singing that brings together ancestral

knowledge to raise aesthetic and learning experiences in accordance with

reality and its limitations. Thinking that with inclusion we would improve

socio-cultural cohesion in the group, we planned weekly workshops where

musicograms would be carried out for the graphic representation of works, as

well as to elaborate portraits or soundscapes of the environments of the people

involved.

In Ecuador, choral singing has been developed for 50 years in schools,

universities, banks, hospitals and companies in such a way that they had a

choir to represent them. According to our research, it was in 2008 that

community outreach projects on choral singing were studied in higher

education institutions. Similarly, 13 years ago the Municipality of Guayaquil

implemented studies in gerontological centers to prolong the autonomy, self-

esteem and assertiveness of older adults.

Within the framework of the II Higher Education Meeting on Human and

Natural Rights. Approaches for its understanding and implementation in

contexts of crisis, which will take place in December 2021, we will contribute

with a choral intervention called "Sounds of power and popular noises"

starring 22 women from Guayaquil who voluntarily responded to a call by the

teacher Yanella Duarte. The aforementioned choral intervention is part of the

project Toolbox for Non-Formal Education of the Community Network of

Human Rights and Nature Defenders of Guayaquil led by the teacher Janina

Suárez Pinzón. This project was declared winner of the IV Ibero-American

Article

Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

Prize for Human Rights Education "Oscar Arnulfo Romero" organized in

2021 by the Organization of Ibero-American States, National Office of

Ecuador, the Ministry of Education and Editorial SM.

Since September 2021, the women's group has been meeting twice a week to

rehearse and train a repertoire that promotes the enforceability of human

rights. The choir was assisted by Jhilmar Muñoz and Alexander Morales,

UArtes students doing their pre-professional community service internships.

Through the choral experience, the women were able to re-establish skills and

body rhythmic competencies that tend to be lost over time. Because an adult

body marches slower, the rhythmic exercises enhanced selective attention,

spontaneous language, coordination and psychomotor relations of social,

interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. In addition, these musical

exercises addressed articulation, phrasing, verbal and non-verbal

communication.

Then, at the moment of participating in the musicograms and the assembly of

the sound portraits, a remote and operative memory was stimulated through

the memory of the lyrics of the songs and of the personal facts that developed

a cognitive area. In the socioemotional part, a mood of improvement was

maintained in the women with smiles and cooperative attitudes. In the

interaction with their classmates, inside and outside the classroom, they felt

in a pleasant and accepting environment, since it is no less true that at a certain

age indifference and abandonment are common forms of mistreatment of

older adults. On the other hand, in the physical motor area, breathing and

mobility mechanisms were progressively stimulated, that is, balance,

perceptual, motor and rhythmic coordination and dynamic coordination.

Our research contemplates the problems that are experienced every day in the

Ecuadorian context, Gentilli (2015) emphasizes that there are large gaps

linked to discrimination, conditions that promote poverty and deep

Article

Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

inequalities, scenarios that are lived within the daily life in Latin America.

Similarly, another triggering factor that causes a deep rooting of these

conditions is due to the fact that various elements entrenched in the culture

and prejudices cause phenomena of invisibilization of human rights, as

expressed by Daros (2013), it is a problem that causes all kinds of violations

of rights whose root is in ignorance, since what is not known, is not practiced,

is not disseminated and is not part of the culture in the different territories.

In this sense, another of the barriers that foster deep social inequalities in

Latin America is growing: the normalization of discrimination and violence,

which according to Flores-Hernández, Espejel-Rodríguez and Martell-Ruíz

(2016), represent one of the social evils that are integrated into normalized

daily practices in families. The fact of normalizing shouting, connecting

authority to permissibility to disrespect, shout and impose, added to

stereotyped behaviors with discriminatory bases with respect to gender, social

class and situations of vulnerability.

In the face of these daily scenarios, education should be the key to break with

discriminatory conceptions, violence and inequalities; however, the problems

in Latin American educational environments represent another of the factors

that strengthen the problems to develop actions that represent a real social

change. Lorente (2019) indicates that education in values has been left in the

background, it has been downplayed, first due to the lack of appropriate

methodologies for its current teaching, secondly by prioritizing other subjects

more linked to the exact sciences, over the social sciences and not

reformulating educational curricula to address the real shortcomings that

affect harmonious coexistence in society.

An education based mainly on the repetition of models that do not respond to

learning needs or to the development of meaningful learning, in addition to

profound inequalities of access, relevance and availability of resources for

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Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

full learning. In synchrony with Mujica's (2007) questioning of what it means

to educate in human rights, the need for values education to regain the

importance it deserves is evident; but if educational policies are not directed

towards changing their approaches, it is essential to exercise action plans from

the communities, with emphasis on collaborative, joint work, to create

bridges between formal and non-formal educational scenarios.

Therefore, it is necessary to understand what Giménez Mercado and Valente

Adarme have explained, regarding the fact that the only way to achieve these

changes is through constant work, by means of strategies that lead to results

associated with solving problems related to inequality, discrimination,

violence, invisibilization and prejudice. These actions should aim at the

development of public policies that accommodate the different voices and

needs of the communities through the practice and strengthening of social

fabric based on the respect and practice of human rights.

Vásquez, Loza, Analuiza and Espín (2019) emphasize that in order to find

feasible solutions to these problems, it is necessary to consolidate actions

focused on the trilogy: Social Responsibility, Human Rights and Education

for Peace, because the conjunction of these three elements in actions focused

on the integral development of citizens in our continent is the only way to

enable true sustainable human development.

The structural basis of the project seeks to strengthen the links between

society and educational institutions, in this case, to strengthen the

shortcomings associated with the essential functions of higher education, that

is, to put the social function of the university as a starting point.

Deepening in the method of Jaques-Dalcroze and the importance of musical

education, the relationship with rhythm is analyzed in order to establish

corporeal bonds using the qualities of music. This close relationship prepares

the older adult for better auditory and gestural skills. Also Carl Orff and his

Article

Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

method of emphasis on verbal and corporal expression provides elements for

the learning process adapted to the senior choir.

Gackle and Fung (2009: 65-77) choral singing improves aspects of education,

medicine, psychology and politics. An example is the research of the

Australian Terrence Hays and Fernández Mayo, who state that beyond the

time, customs and borders, choral music has the evocative effect or the

display of sensitivities of emotions and memories when hearing it; and the

fun and sharing in group provoking enjoyment as a tool of preventive

medicine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the initial evaluation, the call for the choir was launched by the UArtes'

social linking direction with the reception of older adults in a registration

form and audition of voices to select the types of voices by tessitura. A

survey was made at the beginning of the program and later selection of

choral arrangement of musical works that promote values and rights. Two

of the works to be performed were made by the students of the subject

"Cátedra Libre" of the Musical Arts career. Subsequently, we started with

the rehearsals for the learning and interpretation of the selected works.

The methodology to be used in the research is descriptive and exploratory

where a linear and longitudinal structured follow-up of the cognitive

processes and musical skills for the socio-emotional development of older

adults will be established in order to shape ideas on human rights and

verification of behaviors of the age we are addressing.

The research instruments included semi-structured surveys that included the

identification of the respondents in terms of age, sex, occupation,

educational level, choral experience, follow-up files, record of musical

aptitudes and evolution in the learning of choral works. The voices were

Article

Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

classified into three groups: first, second and third voice. The sample is

composed of 20 participants from a female choir mainly because there are

only two men.

In the technical training of the choir, different types of exercises were

performed, such as: relaxation, breathing, vocalization, concentration,

memory, rhythm, expression to develop intonation and expressiveness and

integration into the group. The following are some examples of exercises

performed with the choir of older adults at the UArtes facilities:

Exercise 1: Procedure aimed at: Muscles of the face and shoulders

Massage the neck with the fingertips.

Rotate the head sideways.

Move the arms forward while breathing in and slowly lower them while

breathing out.

Exercise 2: Procedure aimed at: The muscles of the back and abdomen

Rotate arms in circles up and down, bring arms up and down.

Tighten and release the hands.

Moving around the classroom by vocalizing

Exercise 3: Procedure aimed at: Execute rhythmic patterns with the breath.

Hold your breath and slowly exhale in time with crotchet, quaver and

sixteenth notes.

Inhale in 4 beats and exhale in 4 beats.

The procedure was then repeated more quickly.

Exercise 4: Procedure aimed at: Relaxation of the face

Make exaggerated grimaces, as if we were chewing gum. Repeatedly.

Exercise 5: Procedure aimed at: The expression

Say a word and relate with gestures its representation with the body.

Examples of words: air, rain, fire, house.

Exercise 6: Procedure aimed at: Classification of intonation pitches

Article

Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

Say a phrase while singing with different intonation. We will go from low

tones to high tones. Example: The blouse is green.

Exercise 7: Procedure aimed at: Concentration and rhythm

Make two groups and each one clapped a rhythm, to establish a polyrhythm

in the group.

Exercise 8: Procedure aimed at: Group integration

Groups of 5 people are made and each group has to represent an animal only

with onomatopoeic sounds and sung melodies.

Exercises 9: Procedure for auditory and rhythmic training

In vocalization, exercises are done for the development or maintenance of

skills when we listen to different voices sung at the same time, thus

developing the harmonic ear.

RESULTS

From the scope of life projects for the elderly, the analysis of the rehabilitation

processes of vocal, rhythmic, attention, coordination skills, as well as social

relations, is assumed for the conformation of their individuality. From this

consideration, these processes and relationships with society are perpetuated

in their personal self-realization project. We were able to verify that there is

a presence of 99% of women as for men and the ages oscillate between 65

and 70 years old, with a professional educational level mostly and a very

marked previous choral experience.

In the case of post-pandemic rehabilitation of general skills, there is evidence

of a progressive improvement in the performance of exercises; at the

physical-motor level, sensory stimulation was reinforced and relaxation and

stress were promoted. At the socio-emotional level, self-esteem and

communication skills were improved.

Article

Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

The cognitive level stimulated short-term memory through the learning of

songs, orientation in reality. In the behavioral part, it improved the quality of

life in the spiritual and existential sphere leaving as products the recordings

of a choral piece made by the student Misael Bacasela of the subject Free

Chair of Musical Arts of the UArtes conducted by Professor Rafael Guzmán

with a focus on rights through the content of the work, an Ecuadorian song

La bocina of the Inca fox genre by the Ecuadorian composer José Rudecindo

Inga Vélez and the Latin pop song Somos uno by the singer Axel and Abel

Pinto.

CONCLUSIONS

The concepts of development and aging have been presenting variations over

time. Stereotypes, myths and negative prejudices regarding old age have also

changed, however, these populist progressions must change and foster

inclusive, equitable and quality education based on human rights and lifelong

learning.

The research managed to demonstrate in general terms, that music education

for older adults represents the possibility of improving their quality of life,

and thus delaying the deterioration of biopsychosocial processes, but at the

same time emphasizes that they not only need recreational or leisure activities

but also an integral attention of intervention and prevention from the exercise

of social responsibility and methodological planning, through a systematic,

responsible and integral vision. Although singing in groups is not the solution

to all daily problems, it can be an accessible tool to alleviate the social reality

in a society that shapes its identity from logical, aesthetic, ethical,

metaphysical and vital values.

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Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

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Sounds of power and popular noises: Analysis of choral practice from the perspective of human rights and nature.

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