It's good for you and it's growing in popularity –singing the praises of singing

Research had long been underway before the increasingly popular pastime of singing was given a boost by television programmes such as Britain’s Got Talent and Gareth Malone’s The Choir.

More and more singing is being seen as the best prescription to aid people suffering many different illnesses, help tackle depression and take the sting out of loneliness.

Researchers at the University of Frankfurt used blood tests from professional singers, checking proteins in the immune system and anti-stress hormone hydrocortisone, to conclude that they not only strengthened the immune system but also improved the performer’s mood.

And, according to Professor Graham Welch, director for advanced music education at London’s Roehampton Institute, people who sing are healthier than people who don’t as it gives the lungs a good workout, tones abdominal and intercostal muscles and the diaphragm, and stimulates circulation.

It also makes singers breathe more deeply than many forms of strenuous exercise, so they take in more oxygen, improve aerobic capacity and experience a release of muscle tension as well.

And the feel good factor is just as important as any physical benefits of singing.

Clive Downton, a former Daily Echo reporter, said his only experience of singing had been bellowing Swing Low full blast at Twickenham after a couple of hours in the pub or reluctantly mumbling along to hymns at weddings and funerals.

However, after retiring early he was eventually talked into giving singing a try – and says ‘If I can do it, then anyone can!’

He joined the Wessex Cancer Trust choir where he met Andy Taylor, who was advised to sing as often as he could after being diagnosed with the early stages Parkinson’s Disease.

The former local authority finance manager discovered he had a decent bass voice and soon joined the ranks of a Southampton and New Forest based all-male barbershop chorus Ocean Harmony, dragging Clive along with him.

Andy, 66, enjoys it so much that he also sings with the Lyndhurst Community Choir and Beaulieu Warblers.

“Singing certainly has a positive effect on your mood and Parkinson’s has a negative effect on your mood,” said Andy.

“Most people who have Parkinson’s will have depression at some time, but when I am singing with a choir I find that I’m absolutely buzzing; so much so that sometimes it can be 2am before I can go to bed.

“It’s not to say that I don’t have bad days but overall singing is a positive thing for me and the camaraderie and friendship is a bonus. There are no negatives to singing, it’s all good.”

As well at the physical and mental advantages of choir singing it is becoming a hugely popular pastime for people who have retired.

Languages teacher and ex rugby player Alan Woodhouse, 64, from Dibden Purlieu, mulled over a long list of possible hobbies as he prepared for retirement.

Alan, who is also a regular with a cappella chorus Ocean Harmony, said: “My wife and I came up with the usual ideas – stamp collecting, bowls and the like and I even thought of joining a darts team, but I probably would have spent too much time in the pub.

“Then my wife saw an advert in a local newspaper for a free ‘Learn to Sing’ course. That was a couple of years ago and I am so glad I joined. Singing was not really something I had done before but it is a lot of fun and there is great camaraderie, something that was lacking after retiring from rugby and teaching. I enjoy the annual conventions and competing on a big stage but we also have a laugh along the way. I would definitely recommend it.”

On the national scene Rock Choir has taken off after being launched in 2005 with 25,000 plus of regular singers, with no audition needed, performing together at venues across the country.

Professional vocalist and Rock Choir leader at four Rock Choir centres in south Hampshire, Rachel Hockley, said: “People just like to get together socially and what better way than mixing that with great music and chance to perform.

“We put on and take part in large shows and big events and people look forward to being part of festivals and singing to Christmas lights being turned on. Anyone can come along and fulfil their ambition of being on stage and they do not even have to audition.”

Rachel, who is staging her own charity show, Songbird – The Journey, at Southampton’s Turner Sims on September 28, said: “Singing should be for everyone regardless of ability and whether you can or cannot read music.”

Ocean Harmony’s next six week Learn to Sing course starts on October 17 at the chorus’s Colbury Memorial Hall base near Ashurst.

There is no cost, or obligation to continue after completion and chorus director, Paul Keeping, is confident of introducing another group of people to singing by the time it ends.

He said: “Learn to Sing is a great way to get started and we still have around ten members from our last course performing with our 40-strong chorus on a regular basis. Even on the first week we will have people who have never sung before taking part in four-part harmonies. After getting through a relaxed audition they can then move on to the major chorus line-up.”

To join Learn to Sing call Ocean Harmony’s members secretary Alan Clark on 01962 713463 or email membershipsecretary@oceanharmony.co.uk