Introduction

The terms ‘choir’ and ‘choral’ are in the network Choir in Focus also seen as symbolic representations of changing paradigms with respect to singing communities in different countries in Europe. With this publication the authors like to contribute to a transnational choral debate and to encourage further research on choral topics, for example ‘choir as a mirror and instrument of social change’ or the ‘historical origins and future directions for choral leadership’. These topics are especially suitable for developing meta-perspectives on the choral tradition as an important part of the European cultural heritage.