Singing
Some of the health and wellbeing benefits of singing:
- Deep breathing ensures well-oxygenated blood, giving a feeling of wellbeing and contributing to general good health
- Contolled breathing counteracts anxiety and stress
- Good posture adds to self-confidence
- Becoming lost in the character and emotion of the song brings catharsis and emotional cleansing
- Learning new songs brings a sense of achievement, and
- Singing together leads to friendship and fellowship.
Our celebration in 2008 focussed on emotional health and wellbeing and we were very excited to welcome composer Lin Marsh, who led two singing workshops for us, one for children and one for adults. Our day ended with a Big Sing of her superb song "Believe".
Canterbury Christ Church University is engaged in an interesting research project on the health and wellbeing benefits of singing.
Sing Up! is the Music Manifesto's national singing programme. There are lots of great resources for teachers and music leaders on the Sing Up! website, including a song bank, sheet music for lots of songs and tracks to download.
Making more of music
Ofsted published this report in February 2009. Based on the evidence from inspections carried out from 2005 to 2008, the report evaluates music in maintained schools. According to the report, music can have a considerable impact on pupils' personal development and on the whole school, read Making more of music.
