James Coleman
Views of a Chorister
WHY JOIN A CHOIR
After retiring a number of years ago, I realised that I would have to find a "hobby" to help fill in the hours and hours of free time I would have!!
I have always been interested in singing and had been a member of our local church choir.
I am a member of two choirs, a male voice choir and a mixed choir, in both cases I found the following benefits:
1. Social
You meet persons of a like mind who enjoy singing, socialising and having a laugh.
We also have social evenings for choir members and their wives/husbands or partners.
2. Health
Being healthy helps you to enjoy your life. Many statistics by doctors and other experts have shown that an active mind helps your wellbeing.
Singing in a choir helps with breathing by expanding the lunges and diaphram. It also helps with your
memory as in some cases we have to memorise some of the words in the music.
You will only find out the benefits if you give it a try:- so why not come along to Felling Concert Choir on a wednesday evening between 7.30pm and 9.30pm at Felling Methodist Church Crowhall Street
Felling NE10 9HH
One thing for sure is that you will be given a very warm and friendly welcome.
Ken
More headlines.!!
Another pilot study into people with Parkinson's disease reveals that, belting out a song improved mood and motor symptoms as well as reducing physical indicators stress.
Experts at Iowa State University looked at how singing affects heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels in Parkinson patients.
They measured these levels in a group of 17 people with Parkinson's before and after a 1 your singing session.
All three levels were reduced afterwards, and participants reported feeling less anxious and sad.
Researchers also noticed improvements in walking.
The team's previous findings showed that singing helped respiratory control.
The Doctor in charge of the research said that while the results are preliminary, singing showed similar benefits to taking medication.
SINGING DOES YOU GOOD,, so consider joining a Choir at a place near you.
Now for a bit of choir humour
ODE TO THE CHOIR
Immortal, invisible, God only knows
How tenors and basses, sopranos, altos,
At service on Sunday are rarely the same
As those who on Monday to choir practice came.
Unready, unable to sight-read the notes,
Nor counting, nor blending, they tighten their throats,
The descant, so piercing, is soaring above
A melody only a mother could love.
They have a director, but no-one knows why,
No-one in the choir deigns to turn her and eye.
It's clear she is waving, she wants them to look,
But each of them stands with their nose in the book.
Despite the offences, the music wins out.
The folk in the pews are enraptured, no doubt,
Their faces seem blissful, their thoughts appear deep,
But it is no wonder -- they're all fast asleep.
How tenors and basses, sopranos, altos,
At service on Sunday are rarely the same
As those who on Monday to choir practice came.
Unready, unable to sight-read the notes,
Nor counting, nor blending, they tighten their throats,
The descant, so piercing, is soaring above
A melody only a mother could love.
They have a director, but no-one knows why,
No-one in the choir deigns to turn her and eye.
It's clear she is waving, she wants them to look,
But each of them stands with their nose in the book.
Despite the offences, the music wins out.
The folk in the pews are enraptured, no doubt,
Their faces seem blissful, their thoughts appear deep,
But it is no wonder -- they're all fast asleep.