The Voice and Wellbeing: Group Singing and Health

MU4023 Voice Studies: Historical and Cross Cultural Perspectives, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick

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Singing, in its various forms, is something that has always been a huge part of people's lives, whether you realize it or not. Group singing is an activity that has been performed since the early days and is something that has made tremendous impact in cultural, demographical, and social standpoints. What you can define as group singing is seemingly endless; duets, trios, quartets, staged performances, religious ceremonies, sports chants, and protest chants are all forms of group singing. There are many connections to see between the voice, health, and wellbeing and group singing. Group singing creates ‘shared experiences' and a sense of ‘community’ that help to enhance communication, relationships, and increase emotional connections,

The benefits of group singing can be expressed in terms of both individual and interpersonal effects, underpinned by musical, neurobiological, communicative, and cultural interdependencies (Camlin et al. 2020).

For example, if you were to watch a parent sing to their newborn child, you would be able to see the emotional bond between the two from the child's reaction. On a larger perspective, if you were to watch a choir or a large group ensemble perform, you would be able to witness how “in tune” each person is with one another and how they all connect as one with the music. This writing will explore the mental, psychological, physical, and social benefits of the practice of group singing and how it relates to the voice, health and overall wellbeing.

The Benefits of Group Singing from a Neurological Perspective

On the topic of mental and psychological wellbeing in relation to group singing, there have been impressive studies and research done on dementia patients’ mental health and wellbeing after therapeutic group singing sessions. Consider this quote from Arts and Health: Promoting Well-Being Among People with Early-Stage Dementia and their Family Carers Through Community-Based Group Singing,

Music psychosocial interventions are effective, safe alternatives to pharmacological interventions for the promotion of well-being…a community-based group singing intervention impacts the well-being of people with early-stage dementia and their family carers (Lee et al. 2020).

Another study with how group singing affects dementia patients analyzed how singing supports stimulation and cognitive function, and how therapeutic singing “demonstrated improved mood and reductions in behavioral disturbances and depressive symptoms” (Clark et al. 2018). Group singing activities practiced by both patients with dementia and their family caregivers are acknowledged as being mutually and individually beneficial for all parties involved; “[Patients with dementia] could participate in singing without being restricted and were able to experience a sense of belonging and affinity with others” (Clark et al. 2018). The support throughout these shared experiences brings immense levels of connectedness and have proved to strengthen patient/caregiver relationships, and ultimately providing acceptance for the patients and families in some situations, “group singing is a creative normalizing activity offering health and wellbeing benefits for patients with dementia and family caregivers” (Clark et al. 2018). Group singing has also been linked to increased levels of endorphins and a rise in feelings of happiness and pleasure. Consider this quote from Journal of Voice: A Review of the Physiological Effects and Mechanisms of Singing,

Singing has been shown to be related to numerous physiological changes…In addition, singing can also cause changes in neurotransmitters and hormones, including endorphins, which improves immune function and increases feelings of happiness (Jang et al. 2018).

From these studies, it is clear that group singing used as a therapeutic intervention not only has beneficial mental and psychological effects, but also physical benefits to individuals as well to all participants involved, patients and caregivers alike.

The Benefits of Group Singing from a Social and Community Perspective

Revisiting the statement of there being a sense of ‘community’ in group singing settings and similar shared experiences, we can see the importance of group singing on individuals' health and wellbeing if we look at it through a social perspective. Group singing has shown an allowance for self-expression in a variety of different communities throughout society, whether that be social, cultural, or both. Alongside the various mental and physical health benefits as we have already seen, group singing in a social context presents stability and a sense of assurance in many people's lives,

[the study] confirmed an expected perception of the social bonding effect of group singing, highlighting affordances for interpersonal attunement and attachment alongside a powerful individual sense of feeling ‘uplifted’ (Camlin et al. 2020).

Another early research study performed by the Victorian Health Foundation (VicHealth) focused primarily on the social benefits to group singing and exploring social support, engagement from the surrounding community, and connectedness by surveying different groups of individuals. The overall results of the study were as followed,

…respondents reported being highly satisfied with their standard of living, future security, level of safety and feeling part of their community; they rated non-material pleasures such as music, singing and nature more highly than activities like work or shopping, despite the fact that their overall satisfaction with life, their health and relationships was lower than might be expected (Gridley et al. 2001).

In continuation with this study by VicHealth, we circle back to discussing this idea of connectedness and group singing settings being places where individuals are free of judgment and from the opinions of others. For those who participate and actively engage in the activity have expressed having a certain sense of belonging when in a social setting as prominent as group singing,

Benefits for individual mental health that are associated with singing in groups include increased levels of social connectedness, increased sense of belonging, physical and emotional benefits, and reduced personal stress… group-forming activities such as community-based singing can facilitate the development of social capital that in itself positively impacts on physical and psychological wellbeing at individual, relational and community levels (Gridley et al. 2001).

A big part of why group singing in so important in health and wellbeing in a social context is because it creates inclusivity and allows for equality; during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, there had been a rise in the practices of group singing. Due to this, there had been a decreased number of feelings of isolation that people had been experiencing at the time. Because of the fact that group singing is very much a social activity and practice, it can act as a type of coping mechanism for certain individuals who may struggle with feelings of isolation. One example of group singing bringing people together in a difficult time such as the pandemic is Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 6: Sing Gently. Whitacre, as composer of the piece, touched on how the project brought comfort to himself and to all of the vocalists involved, “…the lyrics to “Sing Gently” encourage people to “live with compassion and empathy, and do this together” (Whitacre, July 2020). Group singing works to help express peoples voices and opinions by being actively engaged in the practice, otherwise being described as “...a manifestation of shared social and cultural values” (Camlin et al. 2020). By seeing group singing as a social practice that promotes inclusivity and feelings of ‘coming togetherness,’ we are able to have a better understanding of the impact that the activity has on the individuals’ health and wellbeing.

The Voice in Relation to Wellbeing: What are the Possible Harmful Effects of Group Singing?

There is very promising information and collected data of the many benefits of group singing on individuals health and wellbeing, and the practice has proven for many to be an all-around positive experience that made a direct impact and improvement on daily lives. However, among this research and information, there has been controversy in regard to the negative effects of group singing, more particularly in a choral setting, that group singing has on the physical voice of a person. Studies have analyzed the relationship between overall vocal health and vocal fatigue in relation to wellbeing. Considering this quote in conclusion of a study performed from Journal of Voice: Factors Associated with Singers' Perceptions of Choral Singing Well-Being,

Suboptimal choral singing behaviors may result in vocal fatigue and reduction of choral singing well-being and should therefore be considered when examining the effect of choral singing on singing-related well-being and health (Kirsh et al. 2013).

As beneficial as group singing, including choral ensemble, may be from a social and neurological standpoint, has anyone really stopped to think about the technical negative effects that it can ultimately have on the voice? Especially considering if the individuals who are participating in the activity lack proper voice training, “It is thought that singing improves lung function and provides general social, emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits” (Kirsh et al. 2013). Through further research and study analysis, these ideas that choral singing and group singing has positive effects on the health and wellbeing of those involved are proven, with the developing data stating the possible effects of vocal fatigue later on in the practice. However, there has not been any newer discoveries following this, as every vocalist is different in their singing abilities and their perceptions of the voice,

…singing affects well-being and health: positive affect, focused attention, deep breathing, social support, cognitive stimulation, and regular commitment (Kirsh et al. 2013).

Conclusion

From the information gathered, it is comprehensible to say that group singing from a social, cultural, and community perspective has many mental, neurological benefits with some physical benefits to the individual's health and sense of wellbeing engaging in the practice, while also bringing the possibility of a few pessimistic outcomes and effects to the physical voice; for example, vocal fatigue overtime, especially in large vocal ensemble settings. The overall outcome of voice and group singing on health and wellbeing demonstrates to be largely successful in establishing feelings of uplift, strength in emotional bonds, and having a sense of stability and security, which has helped to immensely improve participants lives.

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Sources Cited

Gridley, H., Astbury, J., Sharples, J., Aguirre, C. (2001) Benefits of Group Singing for Community Mental Health and Wellbeing, Carlton, Victoria, Australia: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth)

Whitacre, E. (2010) Eric Whitacre | Composer, Conductor, Speaker, available: Eric Whitacre – Composer, Conductor, Speaker [accessed 16 Nov 2022]

Lee, S., O’Niell, D., Moss, H. (2020) ‘Promoting Well-Being Among People with Early-Stage Dementia and their Family Care Givers Through Community-Based Group Singing: A Phenomenological Study’, Arts and Health, 14(1), 85-101, available: Promoting well-being among people with early-stage dementia and their family care givers through community-based group singing: a phenomenological study: Arts & Health: Vol 14, No 1 (tandfonline.com)

Clark, I., Tamplin, J., Baker, F. (2018) ‘Community-Dwelling People Living With Dementia and Their Family Caregivers Experience Enhanced Relationships and Feelings of Well-Being Following Therapeutic Group Singing: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis’, Frontiers | Psychology, available: Frontiers | Community-Dwelling People Living With Dementia and Their Family Caregivers Experience Enhanced Relationships and Feelings of Well-Being Following Therapeutic Group Singing: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis (frontiersin.org)

Kang, J., Scholp, A., Jiang, J. (2018) ‘A Review of the Physiological Effects and Mechanisms of Singing’, Journal of Voice, 32(4), 390-395, available: A Review of the Physiological Effects and Mechanisms of Singing - ScienceDirect

Camlin, D., Daffern, H., Zeserson, K. (2020) ‘Group Singing as a Resource for the Development of a Healthy Public’, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 7(60), available: Group singing as a resource for the development of a healthy public: a study of adult group singing | Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (nature.com)

Daffern, H., Balmer, K., Brereton, J. (2021) ‘Singing Together, Yet Apart: The Experience of UK Choir Members and Facilitators During the Covid-19 Pandemic’, Frontiers | Psychology, available: Frontiers | Singing Together, Yet Apart: The Experience of UK Choir Members and Facilitators During the Covid-19 Pandemic (frontiersin.org)

Kirsh, E., Leer, E., Phero, H., Xie, C., Kohosla, S. (2013) ‘Factors Associated with Singers' Perceptions of Choral Singing Well-Being’, Journal of Voice, 27(6), available: Factors Associated with Singers' Perceptions of Choral Singing Well-Being - ScienceDirect