If you’re SAD, sing the blues
Musician’s bright idea
A new initiative aims to use music to help those feeling blue this winter.
Stirling singer Chrissy Wilson is planning to start a choir group for those affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
The disorder is a form of depression that people experience at a certain time of year or during a particular season, often winter, and can have a significant effect on sufferers and worsen any existing mental health conditions.
Top of the Town boy Chrissy, who is lead singer of popular Americana band Rail Fan, came up with the idea after meeting several people who struggle during the winter months.
“I think this is the first choir that is aimed at helping people with seasonal depression,” he told the Observer. “Over a significant period of time, I have been chatting with friends who say they feel down in the winter. I think it is a condition that is often misunderstood, and sometimes not treated seriously.
“Hearing about SAD propelled me into doing something that hopefully will make people feel a bit better about themselves at this time of year.”
The Blue and White Light Band will meet for several sessions over the winter, with those who feel down being invited to come along and sing or even just watch the group rehearse.
Participants - who must be aged over 18 - will be learning songs from the film Muscle Shoals, a documentary film about FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, which features songs from soul legends such as Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding.
Chrissy, 36, hopes that the band will then be able to perform next year. “My intentions are to orchestrate this choir over the darker months, into March,” he said. “Hopefully we can learn a few songs and then come back next year with the aim of doing some sort of Christmas show.
“The absolute dream would be to perform somewhere like the Albert Hall in London, we’d like to do something where the choir can stand up and show themselves in a good light, and enjoy performing.”
Having performed at venues across the UK and Europe, Chrissy wants to pass on the experience he has gained and allow participants to feel like they should not be ashamed of suffering from SAD.
“A lot of people who have got it don’t want to speak about it,” he said. “I think it is in case they are judged in any way, as a lot of people who have mental health issues often are. This project is something where people can come in, play an instrument, or sing, listen, be heard, or even just share their problems.”
The Blue and White Light Band will meet on December 6 and 20, January 10 and 25, February 7 and 21, and March 7 and 21 at Mediterranea in Stirling between 7pm and 9pm. See www.facebook.com/ theblueandwhite lightband