The flourishing of amateur choral groups: A social phenomenon of the 19th-century

In 19th. century England, choral societies flourished in an unprecedented w ay and attracted thousands of amateurs. By their wide geographical distribution, their diversity, their size and th eir ever-widening repertoire, they constituted a significant feature of the Victorian musical landscape. New and simpler methods of teaching people sight-singing, and the developme nt of the music publishing industry were favourable to their expansion and vitality. They were also indebted for their multiplication to sections of the propert ied classes, to philanthropists and reformers who considered music as a hea ler of social evils, a vehicle for moral regeneration and a means of increa sing social cohesion.