singing TOGETHER while apart

With the Macrobert set to launch its first online, community choir later this month, we asked choir master Gary Cameron to share his thoughts on singing and health:

We all choose to listen to music. Most people will even choose to sing along. However, many of us feel a distinct disconnect between the artist performing the song and ourselves as the listeners. I’ve always wanted to fight against that, to be the one creating or informing the music. This was never for fame or adulation - only because it made me happy.

Since that realisation I’ve pushed myself to create opportunities within communities for people to use their musicality (and you DO have musicality), express themselves and in turn, achieve something special.

Singing in groups is scientifically proven to increase happiness and improve mental health. Learning songs is cognitively stimulating, improves your memory and the act of singing together with others releases endorphins which activate the brain’s dopamine pathway - essentially it is a natural high!

Through giving our lungs and diaphragms a workout we not only feel better emotionally, but relieve physical stress while building our vocal muscles and gaining better control of our breathing.

The Macrobert Choir is a new venture which aims to spread positivity through choral singing.

The songs we will tackle are chosen by the choir members themselves and span everything from The Beatles to Evita, The Greatest Showman to Jackie Wilson.

During our Zoom sessions you’ll learn new arrangements, harmonies, techniques, meet new like-minded and friendly people while most importantly, having fun. So come along, hone a new skill, socialise and SING! It’s good for you.

The Macrobert Choir launches on Friday 22nd January at 3pm. Click here to book.

Gary Cameron is a Composer and Musical Director specialising in creating and arranging music for choirs, television, theatre and games.

He has been the Choir Director at the Edinburgh Playhouse since 2015.