National Choral Singing Week

Singing is good for you!
Did you know that Choral Singing is good for your mental health? That singing in a choir provides us with the ‘feel good factor’ and makes a positive impact on our general sense of wellbeing?

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

National Choral Singing Week runs from 5th to 12th October to coincide with World Mental Health Day and was established in 2008 to promote the positive mental health benefits of choral singing. National Choral Singing Week is a joint initiative of the Association of Irish Choirs (AOIC) and Mental Health Ireland.

“The Association of Irish Choirs is delighted to promote National Choral Singing Week 2014. This event is an important opportunity to emphasis the positive effect that singing has on a person’s wellbeing. Choirs throughout Ireland experience these benefits on a weekly basis and AOIC is proud to be working with its national partner, Mental Health Ireland, during this exciting week” said Dermot O’Callaghan, CEO Association of Irish Choirs.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

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.”

Choral events will be organised all over the country by choirs, schools and other groups to mark World Mental Health Week and to highlight the fact that choral singing is good for your mental health! Below are some of the events happening in your area.  Please see www.aoic.ie for further details.

Something To Sing About Launch Limerick Choir
A Global Choir of cancer survivors, aptly named” Something To Sing About” was established by full time consultant medical oncologist Dr. Paul Donnellan. There are currently almost a dozen choirs throughout the country and the sense of camaraderie along with the immense therapeutic benefits that the members have experienced have encouraged us here in Limerick to join in the fun. If you are a cancer survivor and can hold a note or not this may be just what you need.

It will be held at the Information and Support Centre located on the University Hospital Grounds. For more information or to join, please call Maria on (061) 485163.

________________________________________________________________

OPEN CHORAL REHEARSAL AT Mary Immaculate College, Limerick!
with Dr Gwen Moore, 3^rd year Choral Elective Students and the MIC Community Choir
THURSDAY 9 OCT 1:10pm – 1:50pm IN THE FORUM

Dr Gwen Moore will lead an open choral rehearsal in the Forum (Tara building) at MIC next Thursday 9^thOctober from 1:10pm – 1: 50pm to mark National Choral Singing Week and the benefits of group singing for mental health and wellbeing. All are welcome to come and sing with us so just come along and join in!

________________________________________________________________

Limerick Choral Festival Society is hosting a concert on Saturday October 11th at 8pm in St. Joseph’s Church, O’Connell Avenue, to mark the official launch of ‘The Joe O’Connor Perpetual Memorial Cup’ for Choir of the Year.

Joe was just 60 years when he passed away on May 17th last after a short illness. In 2005, he founded the Limerick Festival of Church Music (now Limerick Choral Festival), which takes place annually in the city. Next year, the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary and 2015 will see this cup introduced as its most coveted award going forward.
The concert promises to be a spectacular evening of choral music and will feature ‘The Wexford Ladies Choir’, ‘The Curraghgower Singers’, and ‘Parteen National School Choir’.

Read more about Limerick Choral here!
Or check out Limerick Choral Festival Society’s website here!