The joy that singing can bring is no more apparent than at Christmas time: Our festive favourites are emitted from every radio station, and we are gently nudged along the aisles with well-known hits which we subconsciously sing along to as we go about our weekly shopping.
Everything is so much easier with a song. Mary Poppins knew that; a song is like a spoonful of sugar.
Whether you are singing along to the radio whilst waiting at the traffic lights in your car or singing at the top of your voice at a football match with your mates, singing will make you feel better. This is because singing has the ability to affect our bodies and minds chemically. Singing makes us feel more relaxed, it releases the happy hormones endorphins, oxytocin and serotonin and helps us connect with others. In addition, when we take the time to learn a song it really gets embedded into our brain. That’s why we can remember the words to those Christmas 80s hits 40 years later.
However, if you want to feel ALL the benefits of singing – join others to create a community of sound. The bodily and emotional experience of singing in a group has a lasting and positive affect.
When was the last time you sang as a member of a group? When was the last time you sang out loud without feeling self- conscious? When was the last time you were transported back to your childhood through a song?
Christmas time is a time of memories
Christmas time is a time of memories and music plays an integral part. In the lead up to Christmas, Wymondham Young Voices had the privilege of singing for the Masonic Lodge and for That Little Norfolk Studio Café. The children sang various carols and were a joy to hear but it was when the audience joined in that even more joy became apparent. Not only visibly but also audibly.
I was also fortunate to be with the Wymondham Abbey choir when we sang carols at The Green Dragon pub in Wymondham. It didn’t take long for the pub guests to start joining in and suddenly we were a large singing community radiating out magical warmth and happiness.
So many people find joy from singing well-known carols during the run up to Christmas and many choose this time of year to go to a church service. The magic of singing familiar words and tunes en masse is extremely comforting and uplifting.
The power of singing is incredible
The power of singing in a group – be it a choir or a spontaneous karaoke session is even more remarkable. When a group of people sing as one, something extraordinary happens: The social bonds between you are strengthened, chasing away stress and combatting loneliness. While you breathe together, your blood pressure and heart rate lower and your lungs get a gentle workout – especially beneficial to those who suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma.
But singing is not just for Christmas, and we need to make more opportunities for our children to experience the benefits of singing during their school years. As the BBC reported recently, our children are not singing in our schools as often as they used to. Many schools do not have choirs or use live music anymore. As a secondary school pupil, I distinctly remember waiting a whole term for the singing assembly only to discover that there would NEVER be one. The disappointment was huge!
Wymondham Young Voices
If your child enjoy singing, they will love Wymondham Young Voices – a singing group for children between the ages 6 -13. I love singing and my goal is to foster children’s enthusiasm for singing and music. I aim to create many great musical memories for the children whilst laying a foundation for the appreciation of music and all the benefits that come with it.
Singing with Wymondham Young Voices will help your child gain in confidence – not only in singing, but socially and mentally too. What’s more, the benefits your child gains from singing will rub off on you when you listen to the sound they make. There really is nothing better for the soul than hearing children singing their hearts out.
If you have a young person who would be interested in joining Wymondham Young Voices then please contact Julia using the registration form below.
Registration form
