Harmonizing Happiness: My Journey to Better Health Through Choir
Harmonizing Happiness: My Journey to Better Health Through Choir
After seven weeks of lockdown, I realized I needed a hobby. Netflix and drinking weren’t cutting it anymore. I racked my brain for something I used to love: gymnastics was out of the question, soap collecting seemed bizarre, but singing… singing had potential.
Rediscovering an Old Passion
Back in school, I was quite the singer. In 1990, the Southland Girls’ High School Show Choir was a big deal. We traveled around New Zealand, performing Huey Lewis and Michael Jackson numbers. We had our own sound system and branded tracksuits. It was a blast.
So, when I heard about a meeting to form a Hawke’s Bay Soul Choir, I thought, “Why not?” I assumed my singing skills were still intact. Boy, was I wrong.
The First Hurdles
The first time I opened my mouth at choir practice, the sound was… unappealing. My voice was breathy and screechy, like an elderly possum. I was anxious. What if someone heard me? That’s the point of a choir, after all.
And then there was the standing. So much standing. We were on our feet more than we were sitting, moving side to side as we practiced harmonies. I fidgeted, rubbed my aching legs, and probably scowled a bit. I’ve always loved to sit.
And the crying. Was it the trauma of lockdown? The fear of Covid? Every time we rehearsed “O-o-h Child” by The Five Stairsteps, tears would prick my eyes. The lyrics hit hard: “Ooh child, things are gonna get easier. Ooh child, things will get brighter.” Some evenings, I had to excuse myself to weep in the bathroom.
The Turning Point
By December, we were singing “September”. Our choirmaster’s arrangement was challenging, but he believed in us. We had a Christmas concert, and my husband and son came to watch. They weren’t thrilled, but they were there. And midway through a Stevie Wonder version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, I realized everyone, including me, was having a great time.
The Benefits of Singing
Singing has a positive impact on stress levels. After a couple of hours of singing on a Monday night, I feel radically calmer. No matter how tired I am, the weekly warm-up leaves me feeling motivated and happier.
Singing has helped me rediscover other qualities too: tolerance, stickability, empathy, responsibility. There’s a unique pleasure in singing with people aged 18 to 80, sharing a love for music. Surprising friendships have been born from this shared experience.
Now, I have a hobby that doesn’t require a corkscrew or a leotard. It’s just me, my voice, and a group of people who love to sing as much as I do.
Scientific Backing
According to a study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, singing in a choir can improve mood, reduce stress, and even enhance immune function. It’s not just about the music; it’s about the community and the shared experience.
