Group singing is good for us. At Starling Arts we're keen to share singing's health and wellbeing benefits far and wide! Unlike a school choir where the focus is on how it sounds, our holistic Singing for Wellbeing sessions – which include the official Wicked Singing for Wellbeing sessions – are about how singing makes us feel. This subtle shift is all important in creating safe, engaging and transformative Singing for Wellbeing sessions.
A transformative impact
With the current pressures of school life and exams, combined with the external social anxieties of a generation who are always online, singing offers pupils a screen-free, scientifically proven mood-boosting activity that requires complete presence without goal-orientated pressures.
We all understand the transformative impact of listening to a favourite piece of music. Think about those pieces of music that are so evocative they change our entire emotional state. Holistic Singing for Wellbeing sessions are about learning how to tap into this.
The benefits
Singing engages us physically, mentally and emotionally, acting as a natural mood enhancer. There's science behind this: humming vibrations stimulate the vagus nerve, calming the nervous system to boost endorphins and oxytocin. These are the brain's ‘feel-good’ chemicals, which are related to an overall feeling of happiness and connection. This leaves pupils feeling more energised, focussed and connected, leading to better learning and development across other subjects.
The act of learning a new skill as part of a group also helps to influence confidence and self-esteem, which can be echoed in other areas of their lives. With improved posture, breath control and wellbeing, singing can go on to improve your class's relationships, learning and sense of self.
Starling Arts is a not-for-profit organisation that advocates group singing for wellbeing. It runs projects, choirs, workshops and events to encourage happier, healthier communities.
Want to give it a go? Try Starling Arts' top tips for singing holistically in the classroom:
- Environment: Set up a calming, focused environment for your session. Adjust the lighting, clear the room of unnecessary clutter or equipment, and consider playing some calming music as your class enters.
- Language: Plan your language and tone before you start. Instead of using more competitive language and phrases such as ‘choir’, ‘grades' or ‘being the best’. Shift to more positive and constructive language, delivered in a calm and measured tone.
- Whole body: Singing is a holistic activity, activating the entire body and mind. Stretching and warming up the body enables safe and supported singing. Begin your session by relaxing the physical body and setting up good posture. You want the group to feel relaxed yet energised. Encourage your class to maintain this physical engagement throughout the session.
- Start with the breath: Before you sing, lead some gentle guided breathing exercises. A good starting place is to make the out-breath double the in-breath. Try saying: ‘in for 4 and out for 8’. A couple of cycles will begin to relax the group, and warm up an efficient respiratory system, which is key to both singing and wellbeing.
- Don't be afraid to sing: We can often be overly critical of our own voices, so try to silence your inner critic. Don't speak negatively about your own voice – instead embrace what you have, and allow it to lead with confidence, compassion and curiosity.
- Hum: Humming is a superpower! The vibrations massage and stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a role in activating your parasympathetic nervous system in a process known as ‘rest and digest’. This enhances feelings of safety, relaxation and calm.
- Drop the pressure: Singing for wellbeing is not about getting a certain grade or reaching a set goal. It's also not about perfection or how ‘good’ the sound is. More important is about how it feels, so focus on the process over the product.
- Make it about the group: Singing holistically is not usually about solos. Instead, the group are encouraged to feel at ease as they come together to sing. This avoids putting anyone too far out of their comfort zone – though be prepared that some more extroverted or competitive pupils may resist the communal nature of the activity!
- Songs: Aim for carefully chosen, thoughtful pieces that suit your group. Traditional songs with calming messages, or simple melodies with basic words can be very effective. Rounds can also be simple yet satisfying. Lyrics are important, so think about how your class will interpret certain ideas or themes, taking care to respect cultural context and origin, being mindful of song selection that will not cause harm or offence.
- Warm down: At the end of the session, allow a few moments for the class to digest and process their experience. Music brings up some strong emotions, and it's useful to allow space to decompress before you send your class out to their next activity.