Choral Singing is good for your Mental Health

Pictured: Members of the Irish Youth Choir (IYC) rehearsing in 2014.

National Choral Singing Week is promoting World Mental Health Day, October 10th, sharing the message that choral singing is good for your mental health. Singing in a choir provides people with the ‘feel good factor’ and makes a positive impact on our general sense of well being.

Choral or group singing can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, has been shown to increase the production of endorphins and adrenaline, heightening feelings of well-being, gives the participant a physical workout and is an enjoyable way to meet new people and make music together.

To prove it, thousands of voices from across the island of Ireland are uniting in song from 4^th – 11^th October to celebrate National Choral Singing Week and World Mental Health Day.

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Association of Irish Choirs and Mental Health Ireland have teamed up in supporting this initiative and both organisations are encouraging and promoting events for National Choral Singing Week.

Groups are beginning to put their ideas together and events organised so far take many forms: concerts in many towns and cities, events in nursing homes, Big Sing events in Cork and Dublin, workshops and open rehearsals.

‘Each year the Association of Irish Choirs celebrates choral singing and its positive impact upon the lives of Irish people nationally. Irish citizens of all ages engage in choral activity of many types, with singers of all ages coming together in their communities. The positive influence that this has on a person’s life and on their mental health is clear. During National Choral Singing Week, the Association of Irish Choirs celebrates choral singing in all its forms and recognises the significant contribution singing can have on the mental health of those who engage in it.’ said Dermot O’Callaghan, CEO Association of Irish Choirs.

Orla Barry, CEO Mental Health Ireland said “Group singing offers a wonderful opportunity for enhancing wellbeing and alleviating the stresses and strains of daily life. Participating with other people in a community activity offers huge benefits to those involved. We are delighted to partner with the Association of Irish Choirs for Mental Health Week and look forward to all the singing events throughout Ireland.”

To find out about events in your area, visit the website below or email [email protected].

Visit the Association of Irish Choirs (AOIC) website here

Check out the AOIC Facebook page here and Twitter here

Check out the National Choral Singing Week event on Facebook here