How to sing your way to happiness
EVERYONE seems to agree that singing has numerous health benefits — boosting our immune systems, reducing stress, alleviating pain and, as the recent BBC Two programme showed, helping those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.
The jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald was so sure of its benefits, she declared: ‘The only thing better than singing is more singing.’
A recent study by Harvard and Yale Universities even found that choral singing can increase people’s life expectancy.
It’s perhaps no wonder then that retirement village developers are providing rehearsal spaces for residents’ singing groups, and choral societies up and down the country are filled with retirees.
Brian Kay, 75, an original member of The King’s Singers and former BBC Radio 3 host is now a choral conductor with The Really Big Chorus (TRBC), which attracts a large contingent of retirees.
‘I think singing in later life is important,’ says Kay, who conducts TRBC’s Messiah From Scratch concert at the Royal Albert Hall each Christmas which attracts some 3,500 singers.
‘Singing is as much a social experience for older people as a musical one. It’s a great social leveller too.
‘It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do. People turn to singing in bad times to lighten their mood or to escape and relax.’
Retired nurse Sally Brown, 75, moved into Inspired Villages’ Bramshott Place in Liphook, Hampshire, in 2014 and set up a choir two years ago.
‘As a singer myself, I know how good it is for your wellbeing,’ she says. ‘It’s great for your heart, lungs and memory, and fun, too.’ The choir has about 15 regulars and rehearses under the baton of local choir master Kevin Jacot.
‘From a social point of view, singing is a brilliant way to combat issues such as loneliness and confidence,’ says Jacot.
‘Having a weekly get-together to sing with others creates a sense of belonging and also achievement with each new song that is learnt.’
Rehearsals are held in the retirement village’s clubhouse.
‘We recognise the range of health and wellbeing benefits of singing and encourage our residents to set a choir up if there isn’t one at their village already,’ says Inspired Villages director James Cobb.
‘Singing collectively is a joyous thing and provides the perfect way for residents to come together.’ Bramshott is set in 50 acres with homes priced from £580,000 for a two-bedroom cottage and from £ 590,000 for a three- bedroom cottage ( inspiredvillages.co.uk).
Retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone ( mccarthyandstone.co.uk) invites community and school choirs into its developments in aid of the Sing Your Heart Out fundraiser for the Royal Voluntary Service.
Rowan Baker, McCarthy & Stone’s chief financial officer, is a part-time professional singer.
‘Music is a real passion of mine, and for our homeowners,’ she says. ‘Singing in later life is so important to wellbeing, physical and mental health, but also for having fun.
‘We try to encourage lots of opportunities involving music and other creative arts as part of the programme of social activities at each of our developments — there’s a lovely teamwork aspect to singing in a choir and this is especially important when building communities.’ Owners at Renaissance Retirement’s Fleur- de- Lis development in Romsey, Hampshire ( renaissancegroup.co.uk) formed The Fleurettes in 2016.
‘We are a group of friends who enjoy singing together,’ said group leader Eric Fazakerley, a church organist for 30 years. ‘There are no auditions and anyone can join.’
Their fame has spread and The Fleurettes are now taking bookings for performances around the region.