The positive impact of learning music has long been accepted by the scientific and academic community. Singing in particular has many physical, emotional, and social benefits. When singing in a group, older individuals living with dementia Alzheimer’s experience improved mental clarity, and memory recall.
Carol Beynon is a music professor at Western University who is currently on leave researching the impact that singing has on the brain. She speaks to the physical impact singing has on the brains of individuals living with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
“The pathway singing through to the brain is the same pathway that pain takes. And also we know that in the 5 stages of Alzheimer’s disease when certain parts of the brain atrophy and so on, the singing and music is the last to go.” Carol also says that when these individuals participate in group singing, their mood and memory recall often improve.
Singing can also impact breathing capacity, and has more personal benefits like improving self-esteem. I spoke with several members of The Voices of Broadway Show Choir and they listed several benefits such as stress relief, emotional expression, group participation and more.
If you are interested in experiencing some of the benefits of singing, there are several choirs in London accepting members of all experience types. The Voices of Broadway for instance is looking for experienced male singers.
