As beneficial for you as yoga and just as much fun. Classic FM ( Link ) says choral music has been studied, by Gothenburg University, to show it has a link to a singers’ heartbeat showing their breathing and pulse sped up and slowed down at the same rate as the other performers in the choir. It could be beneficial for lowering blood pressure and improving mental well-being. They are hoping to test whether choral singing could be used to strengthen team working relationships in schools and colleges.
The Department for Education in England ( Link ) has also proposed studying music up to Key Stage 3 (age 14), including improvisation and composition, learning about great composers and musicians from a range of periods, genres, styles and traditions. It would certainly have suited me perfectly but what do you think about this proposal? The consultation closes on August 8th if you feel strongly about it you could comment directly to the document.
I will be performing with the Tideswell Male Voice Choir at Tideswell Parish Church, known as the ‘Cathedral of the Peak’ near Buxton, Derbyshire on Saturday 27th July. Dennis Kay the choir master asked me to put together a selection of show songs. I’ve suggested for the first set a theme of Longing:
My Ship from Lady in the Dark,
Greenfinch and Linnet Bird from Sweeney Todd
Don’t Rain on My Parade from the Funny Girl
For my second set, I was thinking of a theme of ‘The Diva in Me’
As Long as He Needs Me from Oliver
I (Who Have Nothing) featured in the music review Smokey Joe’s Cafe
Diamonds are Forever from the James Bond Film