If music be the food of love.....SING ON!

Ok, so the well-being benefits of singing, particularly in a group, are being proven and promoted, day after day, far and wide! This Valentine's Day, we asked our members just why they love to sing and there was an overriding answer.....because it lifts their mood and makes them happy!

I don't know about you, but I think that's a pretty solid endorsement! Anyone who has ever sung will have felt that sense of freedom and release - and the wonderful part is that these feelings are accessible to both those who think that they 'can' or 'can't' sing. Even if the thought of singing in front of anyone else fills you with dread, I can guarantee that you've belted out your favourite song at some point when you've felt comfy enough to do so!

And why does this happen? Good question. There has been so much research into the whys and hows but I remember reading a single sentence that kind of put it all into place for me:

'Music and singing has a physical effect upon the central nervous system of both the performer and audience. This means that the singer can move both themselves and an audience in a way that no spoken words can ever do.'

That wholly applies to me, personally; nothing stimulates me in the same way, whether it be a joyous or sad song, uplifting or thought provoking. Imagine, then, sharing that feeling with others? There's something so powerful about being in a room of people, mainly connected to one another because of your utter love of music and singing, and experiencing that insane, spine tingling satisfaction when the harmonies fall into place and you create something as a team, as a community - we are also lucky enough to be able to impart that indescribable magic onto our audiences!

Additionally, singing in a choir will help you improve as a singer, a performer and, in turn, can impact all parts of your life in a positive way. Singing with other harmony lines trains your ear and improves your musicality, listening to others and learning to blend helps you understand and control your voice and, through singing regularly, both your voice and brain will be stretched and challenged in the most beautiful way - you won't even realise it's happening!

The expression 'singing from the heart' really does ring true, and Soul Choir members are living proof that it is good for you - physically, mentally and emotionally. Music and singing exclusively touches a part of us that nothing else can and that is why, I believe, we LOVE TO SING!

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