Many choirs in the country are busy rehearsing, especially during Advent and Christmas. At an Advent concert or at high mass during the holidays, they bring music to the quiet time of the year. Whether it’s an elaborate Christmas oratorio or a light, catchy tune – beautiful choral singing usually leaves listeners reverent and inspired.
But singing together can also trigger feelings of happiness for the singers themselves, says choir expert Marina Schacherl. The 36-year-old from St. Florian leads the “Vocamus” choir in Linz and founded “Chor & Voice,” a platform for choir directors and singers. “When you get to experience and enjoy the performance together, it’s a wonderful feeling,” says the choir coach and concert organist.
Image: VOLKER WEIHBOLD
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Why singing in a choir makes you happy
On the occasion of World Choir Day, which is celebrated annually on the second Sunday in December, Marina Schacherl shows us 5 positive effects that singing in a group can have:
- Choir singing creates community: You feel at home in a group and can enjoy wonderful experiences with other like-minded people – in rehearsals and performances, but also in cozy get-togethers away from concentrated work.
- Choir singing connects: People with different backgrounds often come together and combine to create a common sound while singing. “It doesn’t matter where you are from, what your background is, what job you do or how old you are,” says Schacherl. Choir singing connects people and often generations.
- Choir singing releases happiness hormones: After a rehearsal you often go home happy and inspired.
- Expressing emotions through singing: Making music and especially singing in a choir makes it possible to express feelings. What is sometimes difficult to say with spoken words is often easier when singing together.
- Delight others: Being a member of a choir means getting to know new, beautiful music and making other people happy with it. “You often work towards a performance for weeks or months and have a common goal in mind,” the choir director knows from her own long experience. “It’s a wonderful feeling when you can experience and enjoy the performance together – when everything goes well and you can touch the listeners with the choir singing.”
- Podcast by Marina Schacherl: “Choir & Voice” is all regarding the topics of choral conducting and choral singing. Listen here.
- Chor-Adventkalender: An email with a new Christmas warm-up exercise will be sent every day until Christmas Eve – ideal for the rehearsal period in Advent. Find out more here.
Author
Andrea Endt
Online editor
Andrea Endt
