Protestant-Lutheran Choir Singing in Northern Germany

Drawing on an auto-ethnographic case study of Protestant-Lutheran choir singing in Northern Germany, this article re-investigates the dichotomy of presentational and participatory musicking as established since Turino’s Music as Social Life (2008). Investigating the contextualization and valorization of presentational musicking, the chapter argues that local music is actually shaped by a large variety of presentational musicking forms, each of which reflects a different sociocultural and political role. Following an initial overview of presentational music sites and activities in Pinneberg, a small town north of Hamburg, the chapter focuses on a major local church choir. Also drawing on perspectives established in theatre sciences, the chapter analyses singers’ hierarchies and behavior patterns during rehearsals and performances. It will become apparent that the choir’s activities may be geared towards presentational performances, but the rehearsal process is shaped by multiple participatory elements.