Date of Award

2025

Type

Thesis

Major

Music Performance - Vocal Performance

Degree Type

Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance

Department

Schwob School of Music

First Advisor

Dr. Reba Wissner

Second Advisor

Dr. Joshua May

Third Advisor

Dr. Chandler Padgett

Abstract

Call the Midwife has distinguished itself among British period dramas through its commitment to telling women’s stories with emotional depth, historical and medical accuracy, and nuanced character development. Unlike many period dramas based in the United Kingdom that center on the aristocracy, Call the Midwife connects the audience with ordinary people, particularly women, navigating life post-World War II and the early days of government healthcare by portraying their struggles, triumphs, and evolving identities. One of the most compelling ways the series achieves this is through its use of music, particularly recurring motifs that signify personal growth and transformation. This thesis explores how musical themes serve as storytelling devices that accompany character developments and extended narratives

As the series has progressed, the once nuanced use of music has given way to more surface-level emotional cues, diminishing the depth that once set Call the Midwife apart. The shift from carefully chosen musical moments to more generic scoring reflects a broader decline in the show’s narrative complexity. This has led to the most recent series feeling more predictable and less relatable. This thesis explores Call the Midwife’s earlier series, and the music used to deepen character arcs and enrich storytelling. Through analysis of key scenes, themes, and musical choices, this research highlights the critical role of sound in shaping audience perception, the evolving identity of the series itself, and the importance of factual historical and medical dramas of the shared past.

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