The girl who sits opposite me at work hums. It’s lovely. It’s the office equivalent of birdsong, nothing you could actually follow as a tune, but it’s cheerful and uplifting, fading in and out of my consciousness as the day progresses. I was once told I wasn’t a ‘musical child’ after a term of piano lessons at age seven, and I largely stuck to that narrative until I joined my children’s school choir last year. It wasn’t just to show my kids that adults can be brave too; it turned out to be genuinely wonderful. Just 20 minutes each Thursday at 8 am puts a spring in my step for the rest of the day. Numerous studies have shown that group singing has numerous benefits: it can improve mood, reduce anxiety, address loneliness, depression, anger, and isolation, and even boost cognitive function. Who wouldn’t want that?
Singing in public is a relatively new experience for me. Previously, my singing was confined to the car — alone, with the privacy of a mobile soundproof booth allowing me to sing until I strained my vocal cords. The idea that every car on the road could be a private karaoke booth is exhilarating. We all pass by thousands of other cars daily without giving much thought to what’s happening inside them. What if each one is a bubble of sound, with occupants singing their hearts out? A middle-aged businessman might be belting out Black Sabbath while a mother on her way back from the school run is singing Tyler, the Creator.
The Joy of Singing Together
Singing with others, whether in a group or with family, brings a unique kind of happiness. It’s a simple pleasure that can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere. So next time you’re in the car, why not turn up the volume and sing your heart out?
