Sarah Talbot

It has been a while since I last posted. That’s not to say that I haven’t been busy, in fact it is quite the opposite. I’ve recently made quite a large life decision that will impact pretty much everything from professional, personal, social and musical. At this time, I can’t delve into too much due to the open forum of this blog, but it will be announced in due course. Those of you who are linked to my Facebook know what this is already, so don’t panic.

A few months ago, I auditioned for “Annie” and got one of the Boylan sisters. Trio time. Will be onstage in early September, rehearsals are yet to start but are not far off.

Another reason for being so long between blogs is that I haven’t come across an inspiration to write about…up until 3 days ago when the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission) published this article on their site “Community choirs growing as members reap the health benefits”.

The article, although short, highlights the benefits of beckoning involved in community choirs.

• Heartbeats and breathing synchronise. This would make sense has breathing needs to be controlled and together as a group.
• Release of endorphins and oxytocin reducing stress and promoting positive reactions in the immune system. This is thought to be one of the reasons for the post-show high, and the depression after a show closes. The body has to adjust to the lack of rehearsal, etc.
• Positive Social and mental wellbeing. Being apart of a group, working towards a collective goal; yeah, I’d agree with that. In fact, I feel lonely when I go with out a show or rehearsal for so long.

• Oxygenates blood that allows for better function of cells and healing of the body. Kinda wakes me up, and stops the yawning for a bit.
• Exercise the upper body muscles, even when sitting. It’s good to exercise the diaphragm (muscle under your rib cage for those who are not anatomical aware). Have often felt sore around the ribs after big ‘sings’.

I’ve been involved in choirs since I was in primary school, when I first joined a choir. I was given special permission to join, as I was considered to be too young to join with the big kids. I remained in various school choirs throughout primary and high school, even taking on two choirs in my final high school years, and then becoming the school choral captain for my senior year. After graduating, I joined community choirs and church groups. I’m still involved two choirs under a single choral organisation, and the local theatre company for musicals.

It used to be considered ‘geeky’ to be in a community choir. It’s great to know that this stigma is starting to lift and more people are getting involved in their community. It is amazingly that for once it’s the Arts that are getting attention, not always the sports. I guess that the stigma came from a reputation that choirs generally sing church music. NOT SO!! Community choirs sing multiple genres of music from classical and sacred, to contemporary pop. Some employ accompanists (often pianists), others have full orchestras and bands.

The phenomenon of the ‘Virtual Choir’ is beginning to take hold in musical cyberspace, where individuals record their parts in video and audio. Mixers and arrangers then align the videos and sound to form a single choir, so a single choir can have thousands of members from around the world. The most renown would be Eric Whitacres virtual choirs. Some amazing sounds have come from the original compositions of Eric and his team. Choirs are no longer limited by geography.

A lot of the famed singers agree that being in a choir is a positive step in musicianship. Look them up and discover how they started in their careers. A lot of them will have ‘choir’ somewhere in their bios.

I have such happy memories of performing in a choir and I don’t think I’d have got where I am today without all that experience. So my advice to young singers is to either join your school or church’s choir or find one in your local area. Choral music at any level teaches you so much about musicianship and blending your voice. – Katherine Jenkins

There are some amazing choirs out there. Just look on YouTube for proof. If you’re not involved, you should be.

Until next time…

 

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