A protocol for cross-cultural research on the acquisition of singing

As part of a major collaborative research initiative, Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Singing (AIRS), we developed a protocol for obtaining audiovisual information reflecting aspects of the ability to sing. We also developed a digital library prototype, the Children's International Media Exchange for Singing (CHIMES), to index and store the data for access through the Internet by researchers worldwide. The protocol was piloted at five monthly intervals with 20 individuals (children 3, 5, and 7 years of age and adults differing in vocal training level), validating its feasibility in Western culture and producing rich data amenable to numerous levels and kinds of analysis.