The Power of Singing in a Choir

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. (Psalm 104:33)

I continue to be amazed at how belonging to a local church is beneficial, even from a secular perspective. Today, I want to reflect on the power of singing in a church choir. Alexandra Moe’s article in the Washington Post entitled “Singing is good for you” hit close to home. She describes the power of singing by sharing experiences at the National Presbyterian Church in D.C. Moe provides the example of Hazel Hardy, a church choir member who “escaped whatever was outside,’ including her cancer,” by singing to God with friends. Moe states, “For Hardy, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before joining the group, it was a ‘new kind of family.’”

Moe quotes a study entitled “The ‘Sing With Us’ study,” which declares that singing in a choir is linked “to reduced stress hormones and increased cytokines, proteins that can boost the body’s ability to fight serious illness.” Moe continues, “Other studies have found a connection between singing generally with lessened anxiety, stimulated memory for those with dementia, increased lung capacity and an easing of postpartum depression.” I knew there were strong psychological benefits from singing in a choir, but the physical effects were surprising.

As society becomes more isolated, the bonds that come through the joy of singing as a group provide a unique opportunity for mutual care and support. Moe says, “Studies have found that group singing fosters trust, cooperation and social cohesion.” The facts are unsurprising to the 54 million Americans who regularly sing in choirs. The church choir director, Stanley Thurston, says, “It affects the way you feel about being alive. It’s an expression of, ‘Yes, I am here. This feeds my soul.’”

Is your soul being fed? You can feel alive by attending choir practice and singing with others. When I was in high school, I sang in my church choir. I loved the attention and care from the older members of the choir. I developed lifelong friendships in my hometown choir. It helped mold and define my faith. Feed your soul and bless others by strengthening our choir with your voice added to many others. God speaks through voices joined together in faith.