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Hastings & St. Leonards on-line community newspaper

Release your happy chemicals!

Tune in to a new you!

Is it time to make a change for the better?  If you want to improve your mood for the better and build a band of friends around you, it has been shown that singing in a choir can be a game-changer and a positive boon, as far as your physical and mental health is concerned, writes HOT’s Chris Cormack. And the Hastings Philharmonic Choir wants to make it easy for you with a 10 week ‘Tune-up Tuesday’ singers’ workshop, which can lead to a full membership of the Choir.

Oxytocin - the chemical that 'bonds'

Scientists are increasingly aware of how chemical changes arising through singing in a choir can bring about positive benefits to your health. The act of singing releases endorphins, the brain’s ‘feel good’ chemicals. The deep breathing, key to meditation and other relaxation techniques, oxygenates the blood and thereby reduces anxiety and stress. Some scientists suggest singing also strengthens the immune system by increasing concentrations of immunoglobin A in the blood.

Professor Steven Clift of the the Sidney De Haan Research Centre, Canterbury,  says that levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, decrease when we sing, lowering our heart rate and relaxing us.

wellbeing from singing in a choir

Another hormone found to rise when we sing in choirs is oxytocin, producing that sense of connection when we sing together. The brain releases oxytocin in large quantities after sexual activity, which shows the power of this hormone in the bonding process! And what about that tingle down your back when you have a powerful musical experience? This is caused by a sudden release of dopamine, the body’s natural happy chemical.

A large survey on singing in a choir conducted by the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Canterbury Christ Church University, produced interesting anecdotal evidence of the health benefits:

  • I have a pleasant start to the day knowing I shall meet like-minded people and enjoy music making… having a laugh along the way. Hearing the harmonies helps  me forget family worries.” Carer of two relatives stricken with schizophrenia, who suffered from reactive depression.
  • “Music plays a significant part in my emotional health and wellbeing. I find it uplifting. When recovering from a major stroke, singing was one of the ways of lifting my spirits out of depression.”  Man affected by significant physical health issues/disability.
  • “One of the greatest supports in my life at this difficult time is the Silver Singers and the other Silver activities: ukulele, guitar, ocarina/tin whistle. I think choral singing is fantastic for emotional health.” Bereaved woman, whose husband had died three months earlier.

Accounts given in this survey also suggested various mechanisms linking choral singing with wellbeing and health:

  • “When you sing, you cannot be sad for long. It really lifts your spirits. Being in a choir means you are in a team – you all help each other which gives tremendous satisfaction”.
  • “Singing involves focused concentration, which blocks preoccupation with sources of worry. Singing in a choir puts troubles ‘on hold’, as concentrating on the music requires all one’s attention”.
  • “Singing involves deep controlled breathing, which counteracts anxiety. Deep breathing, essential for singing, is one method of helping with signs of anxiety and stress.”
  • “Choral singing offers social support and friendship, which ameliorate feelings of isolation and loneliness. The effect of singing with a group helps to make friends, so this has widened my horizons quite a bit, and gets me out and about more. The support you receive from other people helps in general well-being.”
  • “Choral singing involves education and learning, which keeps the mind active and counteracts decline of cognitive functions. Apart from the relaxation benefits, I believe that for me, keeping the brain active and having to concentrate for long periods, will delay if not completely prevent, senile dementia!”
  • “Choral singing involves a regular commitment to attend rehearsal, which motivates people to avoid being physically inactive. Making the effort to attend choir practice on wet, cold evenings instead of watching TV, must be better for health.”

Gary Marriott heads the workshop

It might not seem like physical exertion, but your body does work hard when you sing. Singing is an aerobic activity, good for your lungs and heart. Singing improves posture and tones tummy muscles. Holding on to notes helps increase your lung capacity, facilitating other physical activities. Singing is comparable to yoga and other exercise routines with regard to the sense of well-being that it delivers, but without the sweat and complex contortions.

The ‘Tune-up Tuesdays’ workshop will be a small choir to build confidence and skills,  but, more importantly, to have fun in a friendly atmosphere, supported by some singers from the Hastings Philharmonic Choir.

At the end of the 10 consecutive weekly sessions, singers should have all the basic skills and an appreciation of their own abilities; they will then be encouraged to join the Hastings Philharmonic Choir for a Christmas carol concert and, after Christmas, in January, move on to the main choir to prepare to sing in the Spring Concert – Carmina Burana – with no audition requirement and at a reduced fee.

Marcio da Silva, Hastings Philharmonic Choir Music Director

Sessions will be led by  the well loved and respected professional tenor singer, Gary Marriott.  If a ‘Tune-up Tuesday’ 5.15pm – 6.30pm session is not convenient for you, then, subject to demand, a second group could be formed; maybe ‘Wade-in Wednesday’ could suit you better! Please contact the choir or contact:
tuneuptuesdays@hastingsphilchoir.org.uk
.

The Hastings Philharmonic Choir, under the direction of its inspired conductor, Marcio da Silva, has an adventurous program of 3-4 concerts a year, giving the opportunity to learn about new music you may never have heard before, but also a chance to enjoy singing old favourites. Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana probably counts as an old favourite; most people can recognise the music subliminally from its frequent plays in the media (most commonly in the ‘Old Spice’ advert). It is fairly simple to sing, but packs a mighty emotional punch.

Tune-up Tuesdays starts on Tuesday 14 October, 5.15-6.30pm, at the Tabernacle, Cambridge Road, Hastings, TN34 1DJ  (opp. ESK)  Costs only £1 a week! Everybody welcome! contact:
tuneuptuesdays@hastingsphilchoir.org.uk
Hastings Philharmonic Choir, working with:

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Posted 18:50 Tuesday, Sep 23, 2014 In: Music & Sound

2 Comments

  1. Peter Webb

    Thank you so much to the choir for participating in the MIND party and singing for us on Tuesday 19th December. We really enjoyed the opportunity for some of us to join in with some Christmas songs/carols.

    Comment by Peter Webb — Wednesday, Dec 20, 2017 @ 23:47

  2. Yvonne Pepper

    An excellent idea and offer.
    Singing in the choir has been an absolute life-line for me for about 20yrs–Particularly the repertoire of the Hastings Philharmonic.

    Comment by Yvonne Pepper — Friday, Sep 26, 2014 @ 15:14

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