Hospitality in multicultural choral singing

According to Higgins, hospitality is the central characteristic of community music. This article discusses how hospitality is expressed in so-called ‘multicultural choirs’ – which exist in several Norwegian cities – and the impact, if any, such hospitable musical and social environments have on members with a refugee background. Based on a case study of KIA Multicultural Gospel Choir in Kristiansand, Norway, using collection techniques such as participant observation and qualitative research interviews, various aspects of this specific form of community music are discussed. The analysis is illuminated by theoretical perspectives drawn from the fields of community music, music therapy, social psychology and the social sciences. The results show that the choral practice contributes to community, empowerment and respect, integration and meaning in the refugees’ lives. The purpose of the article is to deepen insights into a practice model such as is found in these multicultural choirs. The results have implications for social welfare politics and for the community music and music education fields.