How can I keep from singing?

Singers What is an article about singing doing on a blog dedicated to compassion and justice? I am very aware of the problems in the world created by poverty and injustice. But hey! Life isn’t all doom and gloom. Yes, I feel passionate about justice, but singing is a part of me. Singing helps keep me sane in a mad world.

The ills we see in the world around us are caused by the free wills that God has given to us humans. But he has given us so much more to enjoy. Beauty, colour and music are three gifts which, although we could function without them, add so much richness to our lives.

Playing an instrument

A recent report by TEDEd said that when you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. What’s going on? Anita Collins explains the fireworks that go off in musicians’ brains when they play, and examines some of the long-term positive effects of this mental workout.

Benefits of singing

Singing in a choir is making music with our voices. We have to listen to each other to make sure we don’t sing off-key. We have to breathe together. We don’t all sing the same notes but we harmonise with each other. We sing words which can be inspirational or emotional. Sometimes when I sing the emotion suddenly catches me and prevents me singing for a second or two.

Scientists in Sweden have said in a report that singers in a choir unconsciously coordinate their breathing patterns, which leads to synchronised heart rates.

A report by “How stuff works” says that all types of singing have positive psychological effects. The act of singing releases endorphins, the brain’s “feel good” chemicals. Singing in front of a crowd, a la karaoke, naturally builds confidence, which has broad and long-lasting effects on general well-being. But of all types of singing, its choral singing that seems to have the most dramatic effects on people’s lives.

Christine and I belong to a secular choir. Some Thursday evenings, we might feel tired and don’t really want to go out. But when we return home, we feel invigorated. Whether we are singing in English, French or Latin, the shared experience of singing together beautiful melodies in harmony, certainly lifts the spirit and makes us feel glad to be alive!

Singing and worship

For thousands of years, singing has been an important part of expressing our worship of God. Singing is usually communal and emphasises our togetherness. We may not be good with words but singing words composed by others frees us from our limitations. Does God enjoy our singing? I believe that he certainly enjoys the unity and the good effect that singing has on us.