There’s also some evidence to suggest that music can play a role in sustaining a healthy immune system, by reducing the stress hormone cortisol and boosting the Immunoglobin A antibody. Listening to and participating in music has been shown to be effective in pain relief, too, probably due to the release of neurochemicals such as β-endorphin (a natural painkiller responsible for the “high” experienced after intense exercise).
Music making exercises the brain as well as the body, but singing is particularly beneficial for improving breathing, posture and muscle tension. The physiological benefits of singing, and music more generally, have long been explored. It also has long been believed that music-making can create a strong sense of well-being, but since it’s very hard to find a suitable “control” activity, this area is particularly hard to research scientifically.Īlthough this remains a problem, a number of recent developments have helped us to understand how group singing can improve physical and mental health, as well as promote social bonding. This is particularly valuable in today’s often alienating world, where many of our social interactions are conducted remotely via Facebook and Twitter.īut why are so many people flocking to choirs? There’s almost certainly an X Factor effect at play, with people, inspired by TV talent shows, becoming increasingly willing to stand up and perform. We’ve also shown that community singing is effective for bonding large groups, making it an ideal behaviour to improve our broader social networks. We’ve just published some research that reveals that group singing not only helps forge social bonds, it also does so particularly quickly, acting as an excellent icebreaker. Which is good news – for singing in a choir is beneficial in a number of different ways. It is estimated that an incredible 2.8m Britons are now members of a choir. Adding well-known, mainstream music to the repertoire, the small screen appeal of television choirmaster Gareth Malone, and the increased visibility of choirs such as Rock Choir and Popchoir, have attracted a new crowd to the idea of the communal singalong. But there’s been a revolution in attitudes towards joining the local choir. (Credit: Philip Bird LRPS CPAGB/Shutterstock)A decade ago, any mention of a choir would probably have brought Sunday morning hymns to mind.
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