Conductors, choristersNancy Singlabenefits, choir, singing, cantala womens choir, psychological, physical, fun, social, cognitive, musical, cultural, musicComment

Benefits to singing in choir

Conductors, choristersNancy Singlabenefits, choir, singing, cantala womens choir, psychological, physical, fun, social, cognitive, musical, cultural, musicComment

If you have ever come to a rehearsal feeling exhausted and grumpy only to find yourself feeling happy and refreshed afterwards you won’t be surprised to find that there are benefits to singing in a choir.

1. It has been proven that there are psychological and physical benefits to participating in a choir. It improves mood and alertness and reduces stress levels and depression.

2. There are emotional, social and cognitive benefits. Choir provides a sense of belonging, a feeling of social inclusion and a positive sense of community. Here in Cantala, a common theme for our new choiristers is that they have just arrived in Toronto for a new school or work opportunity and don’t know anyone, but are seeking a community of like-minded people that share their love of choral music.

3. Choir brings people together. This seems obvious, but in our busy lives bringing the same 20 people together every week for a commitment to building something beautiful is something to celebrate and not underestimate. Also, it feels good to be a part of a collective endeavour, part of a team which has a purpose. Choral music has the awesome power to bring us together physically on a very real level as well: Get this! A research study found that during a choral performance all the singers had heart rates that were beating in unison in relation to the speed of their own breathing. That puts a new perspective on the idea of choir as a place of “coming together”.

4. And let’s not forget the musical and cultural benefits. The pace of rehearsal and learning is quick. There is no time to linger on a choral piece for months. So everyone is challenged and improving their musical skills while also learning about the musical history and context of the varied world repertoire and texts being performed.

If you would like to read more in depth about this topic here are some links:

https://youtu.be/m_9eMZY119k

http://www.cmuse.org/psychological-and-physical-benefits-of-choral-singing/

choristers, ConductorsNancy Singlacantala, cantala womens choir, nancy singla, toronto choirs, toronto choral scene, choral singing, vowels, music, choral musicComment

Warming up the choir

Everyone seems to come to choir exhausted. It’s the end of their work day and while I know they are looking forward to creating music, their sense of listening and often also their vocal apparatus are fatigued. They are ready for the couch and some tv, but you are asking them to get up, smile and sparkle. Warming up the choir is an important transition from tired work day to musical brilliance.

choristers, ConductorsNancy Singlacantala, cantala womens choir, nancy singla, toronto choirs, toronto choral scene, choral singing, vowels, music, choral musicComment
Conductors, choristersNancy SinglaCantala, cantala choir, cantala, tips, team player, nancy singla, choral singing, womens choir, toronto womens choir, toronto choirs, toronto choral sceneComment

7 easy ways to being a fantastic team player

Everyone remembers those school group projects that made you either pull your hair out or jump for joy. Here are 7 tips to being that A+ team player.

Conductors, choristersNancy SinglaCantala, cantala choir, cantala, tips, team player, nancy singla, choral singing, womens choir, toronto womens choir, toronto choirs, toronto choral sceneComment
choristers, ConductorsNancy Singlacantala, cantala womens choir, nancy singla, toronto choirs, toronto choral scene, choral singing, vowels, music, choral music, agnes grossman, choral examplesComment

7 ideas for warming up the choir

Years ago I had a very experienced choral singer come up to me in Cantala and tell me that I spend a lot of time on warming up and inquired "isn't there an urgency to get to rehearsing the repertoire?".

choristers, ConductorsNancy Singlacantala, cantala womens choir, nancy singla, toronto choirs, toronto choral scene, choral singing, vowels, music, choral music, agnes grossman, choral examplesComment
choristers, ConductorsNancy SinglaNancy Singla, cantala women's choir, toronto choirs, toronto choral singing, toronto choral scene, choral music, choral singing, endocannabinoids, Dr. Ruth Ross, University of Toronto, Stress relief, Anxiety reduction, reduce anxiety, choirs, womens choirComment

Magical Endocannabinoids

We have all come to choir rehearsal feeling drained and walking out feeling energised. This is not just an observation anymore but proven science. And it is due to a chemical called endocannabinoids….. Hubba what??

Me too. No idea.

choristers, ConductorsNancy SinglaNancy Singla, cantala women's choir, toronto choirs, toronto choral singing, toronto choral scene, choral music, choral singing, endocannabinoids, Dr. Ruth Ross, University of Toronto, Stress relief, Anxiety reduction, reduce anxiety, choirs, womens choirComment
choristers, concerts, ConductorsNancy SinglaNancy Singla, zachary moore, always keep this close, colleen carhuff, heart syncrotization, spring concert toronto, choral singing, choral singing toronto, cantala women's choir, toronto choral scene, toronto womens choir, choirs in torontoComment

Singing Heartbeats

I have written many blogs about why we sing in choirs and why we just…well, love it. How about coming to choir for your cardiovascular health? Singing and hearts are deeply connected, more than we ever thought.

choristers, concerts, ConductorsNancy SinglaNancy Singla, zachary moore, always keep this close, colleen carhuff, heart syncrotization, spring concert toronto, choral singing, choral singing toronto, cantala women's choir, toronto choral scene, toronto womens choir, choirs in torontoComment