Choirs are suddenly 'cool' - October 2009

This autumn, do you want a cheap way to get ‘a high’,  get fit, make friends and beat depression?   Then join one of our local singing groups – or even our church choir.

It’s a fact – people all over the country have discovered the simple but real joy of singing with other people – whether its choirs or in karaoke bars.  Following the TV programme ‘Last Choir Standing’ and ‘The Choir Boys Don’t Sing’,  choir groups have suddenly become mainstream ‘cool’.

When even Susan Boyle of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ tried to join her local church choir earlier this year, they had to turn her away – the choir was already full to bursting point.

Researchers at the University of London have researched the benefits of singing.  When you sing, you have to breathe in a way that uses more of your total lung volume.  More air means more oxygen in the blood, which means you are left feeling more alert.

Singing also works the cardio vascular systems, and gives you the kind of hormonal release that comes from being focussed on a task – and enjoying it at the same time.

Singing is great for stressed out, deskbound people who spend their days slumped in a chair.  It gets their diaphragms moving and reduces their tension.  Singing with other people gives you an increased sense of community and belonging.    It can ‘raise you up’ when you’re depressed and even those with physical pain can forget their discomfort when singing.   

Any type of singing is good for you, rock, barbers shop, classical.      It’s never too young to start, but the educational value of singing for young children is awesome, both intellectually and in terms of team building, thus boding extremely well for future careers, whether musical or not..

St Mary’s Director of Music says that the opportunities and enjoyment he has had out of music is incalculable and it never ceases to amaze him what doors his musical interests have opened.

Our church choir would welcome more singers at any time, but there is always a special chance at Christmas time, this year on the 18^th December,  when we have an enhanced choir with people from the community singing with us.

Come along and join in!

October 2009