Lunchtime singing to recharge workers
A new initiative is encouraging Nelsonians to sing for more than just their supper – it’s for mental wellness.
Nelson choir the Voice Collective is inviting everyone to join in lunchtime singing sessions – and at only 20 minutes, most inner-city workers should be able to take a break from their desk to attend.
Voice Collective creator Tanya Nock has been holding a casual choir one evening a month, allowing people to belt out a tune no matter what their skills. With the programme exceeding one year of successful get-togethers, Nock said it was time to branch out.
‘‘You can’t have too much singing in your life.’’
She said the aim of the midday music sessions was to benefit people’s wellbeing.
‘‘The idea is to recharge, so you don’t get that afternoon dip going back [to work] after food.’’
As a teacher, she said she often saw the sluggishness in her students after lunch. ‘‘Having a song straight after lunch can almost be like having a siesta – it releases more endorphins and tension.
‘‘These sessions are not taxing on the brain. No harmonies to learn, just singing the one song together,’’ she said.
The first song scheduled on the list is Cups by Anna Kendrick, from the Pitch Perfect soundtrack. The lyrics can be found on the Voice Collective Facebook page or learned fresh on the day.
Meanwhile, the Voice Collective’s evening sessions at the Ghost Light Theatre on Bridge St were going ‘‘really well’’, Nock said.
The November session had a full house of 80 locals singing the choir’s first waiata, Tihore Mai Te Rangi.
She said that locals who didn’t know the choir existed were walking in. ‘‘Some guy was heading home from work, walked past, and he could hear this amazing singing, so he just came up and joined in for the rest of the hour.’’
She hoped the same thing would happen with the lunchtime sessions. ‘‘You don’t have to plan it into your calendar, you can just be passing and join in.’’
Free Pop Up Singing will be held on the last Thursday of the month, 12.30pm to 12.50pm, at Kirby Lane (if wet, Nelson Centre of Musical Arts). The first meeting will be on November 28.