The Power of Singing Together

Researchers have found that singing together has many benefits beyond the joy of music making. This should come as no surprise to anyone who has sung in a choir. Still though, it’s worth reflecting on the benefits of corporate music making, and singing in particular.

Among the studied group, the numbers of people reporting that their choral experience has a positive impact on their wellbeing is very high - 90%. Here are some the benefits cited by researchers in a BBC article from this morning:

Confidence
Relaxation
Stress Reduction
Increased Social Contact
New Friends
Reduced Prescription Medication

Of course, these are just the benefits for individuals. We can assume that these things spill over into other aspects of the lives of the choristers, having a ripple effect in their communities. And this doesn’t take into account the societal benefit of keeping the choral art alive. As one of the Western world’s greatest music traditions, such a thing is utterly invaluable.

As I said, anyone who has been a part of choral singing already knows this to be true. These benefits are certainly not unique to choral singing, and all ensemble music making can affect people’s lives and communities in these ways and more. However, there is something unique about singing together that, I think, is particularly powerful in this regard.

When we sing our bodies are the instruments; we are, whether we like it or not, quite viscerally connected to the music. And by virtue of singing in an ensemble, we are connected to one another. In singing together, it is our very breath that brings to life the notes on the page and we are dependent on the breath of others. This serves to make choral singing a particularly intimate experience that creates the sorts of bonds between singers and their communities that transcend simple everyday interactions, such as business relationships and even friends from work and school.

Choral singing creates a shared experience that changes our perspective on the world and others in it. Yes, it gives people confidence and new friendships, but it is more than that. Under the right guidance, choral singing can be utterly transformative by giving singers a simultaneous glance at their unique value as individuals and at their mere position as a member of a group that transcends the collected individuals. With this perspective, choral singers are well suited to understand and thrive their various roles in life whether it be in civics or in the cosmos. The power of singing together is immeasurable, and it should be fostered at every opportunity.

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