How does language evolution relate to music-making in specific genres?
One of the ways that languages can diverge over time is through isolation: if two communities became isolated from each other, eventually their languages might become separate over time through the natural development of language over time. If the communities maintained frequent contact, that divergence might slow or even stop.
Sometimes musical genres tend to isolate themselves and evolve slowly into an exceedingly distinct set of habits, performance practices, values, and approaches. I’ve noticed it with competitive marching band, with Barbershop, with contemporary a cappella, with early music ensembles, and in other situations, too. The style becomes more and more formalized as the practitioners focus more and more on their own style of music.
(I sometimes note this in my own beloved vocal jazz, too.)
I think our music can speak to more people, and can be more impactful and inclusive, if we avoid isolation-divergence and work to engage with related but separate genres. My work in various choral genres, I think, helps me stay centered and not to lean too hard into one small community.
Whatever choice you make about genre isolation in your musical work, it’s best to do it with eyes open to the impact it will have.