The Benefits of Singing
We are born with a natural ability to sing, and have a need to make use of this ability, both as an individual (in the bath or shower!), and more
importantly, together with other people. As soon as people come together, at school, in church, at football matches, at parties or even in the pub, - they sing! Being a member of ‘a choir’ ensures we regularly practice and satisfy this need to sing.
The physical process of singing, exercises many of our muscles, and as with any form of exercise it is important to warm up. We always start our rehearsals with some gentle exercises to release any tensions in the body, moving on to some breathing exercises and more technical exercises for the voice. Singing helps to improve our posture. Singing requires us to focus on and think about breathing deeper and in a more controlled way than we would normally do, and this helps to counter stress. It can be particularly helpful for people with respiratory conditions.
In today’s technology driven age people can feel lonely and isolated. Being in a local choir can help to overcome this sense of isolation. You will always have friends if you are in a choir, and it helps to improve self confidence. It is a great ’leveller’ and the awkward question ’What do you do?’ , so often asked at other social gatherings, is not asked in a choir. All that is important is that we enjoy singing, share a love of the music, and under the guidance of our director, work hard together and rise to the challenge of performing some of the greatest music ever written. In short, singing does you good, makes you feel good, and above all is great fun!
This is what some of the experts say:
1. "Singing is as good for you as yoga" says Sarah Rainey, Daily Telegraph, July 2013
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/10168914/All-together-now-singing-is-good-for-your-body-and-soul.html
2. "Singing is a work-out for the mind"
Chreanne Montgomery-Smith (West Berkshire branch of the Alzheimer's Society)
Journal of Dementia Care May/June 2006
3. "Singing makes you feel happy"
Gareth Malone
www.bbc.co.uk/thechoir
4. "Singing is great for your health"
Hayley Westenra
www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding
5. "Singing is great at building confidence"
John Partridge
www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding
6. "Singing is really good fun"
Zoe Salmon
www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding
7. " I've made some great friends in my choir"
Rachael Edwards, Coventry
www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding
8. "Singing is stress relieving"
Hayley Westenra
www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding
9. "Singing Regulates your heartbeat"
Nick Collins, Science Correspondent at the Daily Telegraph, July 2013
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10166789/Choral-singing-regulates-heartbeat.html
importantly, together with other people. As soon as people come together, at school, in church, at football matches, at parties or even in the pub, - they sing! Being a member of ‘a choir’ ensures we regularly practice and satisfy this need to sing.
The physical process of singing, exercises many of our muscles, and as with any form of exercise it is important to warm up. We always start our rehearsals with some gentle exercises to release any tensions in the body, moving on to some breathing exercises and more technical exercises for the voice. Singing helps to improve our posture. Singing requires us to focus on and think about breathing deeper and in a more controlled way than we would normally do, and this helps to counter stress. It can be particularly helpful for people with respiratory conditions.
In today’s technology driven age people can feel lonely and isolated. Being in a local choir can help to overcome this sense of isolation. You will always have friends if you are in a choir, and it helps to improve self confidence. It is a great ’leveller’ and the awkward question ’What do you do?’ , so often asked at other social gatherings, is not asked in a choir. All that is important is that we enjoy singing, share a love of the music, and under the guidance of our director, work hard together and rise to the challenge of performing some of the greatest music ever written. In short, singing does you good, makes you feel good, and above all is great fun!
This is what some of the experts say:
1. "Singing is as good for you as yoga" says Sarah Rainey, Daily Telegraph, July 2013
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/10168914/All-together-now-singing-is-good-for-your-body-and-soul.html
2. "Singing is a work-out for the mind"
Chreanne Montgomery-Smith (West Berkshire branch of the Alzheimer's Society)
Journal of Dementia Care May/June 2006
3. "Singing makes you feel happy"
Gareth Malone
www.bbc.co.uk/thechoir
4. "Singing is great for your health"
Hayley Westenra
www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding
5. "Singing is great at building confidence"
John Partridge
www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding
6. "Singing is really good fun"
Zoe Salmon
www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding
7. " I've made some great friends in my choir"
Rachael Edwards, Coventry
www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding
8. "Singing is stress relieving"
Hayley Westenra
www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding
9. "Singing Regulates your heartbeat"
Nick Collins, Science Correspondent at the Daily Telegraph, July 2013
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10166789/Choral-singing-regulates-heartbeat.html
