Choir director Mary Dennison is a big believer in the benefits of singing, and she’s backed up by articles in print, books and interviews on the airwaves.
“There is so much evidence now showing the physical, neurological and psychological benefits of singing in a choir,” she says in a press release. “Not singing in the shower on your own (although that is also wonderful!) but singing in the joyful company of others.”
Dennis has found evidence that singing in a choir boosts your mental health; singing is good for your body and soul; choir members who sing together have synchronized heartbeats; singing is as beneficial to your health as yoga; singing is helpful to those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s, people who suffer from blocked airways and ravaged lungs, and patients recovering from strokes.
Dennison says we all know that singing together feels good, and now Stacy Horn shows in her book Imperfect Harmony: How Singing With Others Changes Your Life that: “Group singing has been scientifically proven to lower stress, relieve anxiety and elevate endorphins.”
If you are in need of an added boost of endorphins floating through your body, Dennison encourages you to join the SING FOR PURE JOY! Community Choir.
Every voice is welcome. No experience is needed, and no auditions are required — only the desire to make joyful sounds together.
No written music is used. All songs are taught in the traditional method of call and response.
The choir gathers in Ladysmith at The Lodge on 4th on alternate Saturday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m., as well as in Coombs and Campbell River and on Quadra Island, starting on Monday, Sept. 8.
The fall term fee allows those enthusiastic singers to participate at all venues for the same fee.
Contact Mary Dennison at singforpurejoy@gmail.com or call 250-285-3764 or 778-348-0477 for more details and specific dates for the term.