The Power of Group Singing

by Aaron Schultz, Director of Music and Arts

A remarkable study about the power of choral singing came out in 2019. The study, conducted by the leading research firm Grunwald Associates, revealed the significant health and social benefits of singing in choir. About 54 million American adults and children participate in choir each year, indicating choral singing is stronger than ever. One of the most-striking set of data points was 73% of participants in the survey said singing in choir made them feel less lonely and played a major role in their social lives.*

One of the greatest joys and successes of the Westminster Virtual Choir has been the ability for people to find meaningful connection during the COVID pandemic. Through letter writing, socially-distanced parking lot meetings, weekly Zoom calls, telephone trees, email newsletters, and singing virtual anthems; each of us has discovered a profound connection in a very difficult moment in all of our lives.

So many benefits of group singing require being in the same room as one another; such as regulating one’s heart rate, reducing stress levels by taking intentionally deep and metered breaths, and finding beauty in hearing one’s individual voice melt into the texture of a unified choral sound.

However, feeling deeply connected to one another has been an experience carried through during our greatest moments of societal isolation. We record ourselves singing in the confines of our own homes, but we know our own voice is just one piece to a much larger puzzle. This music we create is not for ourselves; it belongs to the choir as a whole and the congregation who engages with it to lead them in a unique form of prayer.

This act of preparing, creating, and enjoying is a cyclical pattern unique to the choral experience because each step is inherently communal. Everything is done in community for the sake of community. Singing beautiful music in choir is the catalyst for engaging in one another’s lives. It is the backdrop to a more meaningful pursuit. We don’t simply share music; we share in each other’s joys and sorrows, calling each one another significant and seen.

When the Westminster Chorale gathers safely in person, I encourage you to think about singing with us. We strive to make good music, but we are first and foremost a community of people who care deeply about one another and work to foster a place of welcome, inclusivity, and trust. This commitment to hospitality is what allows us to both enjoy the music and one another as we are transformed by the beauty of song and friendship. I hope to see you in rehearsals soon!

* https://www.chorusamerica.org/publications/blog/chorus-america’s-new-chorus-impact-study-reveals-lifelong-benefits-choral-singing