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We have long known the power of a good sing-along. Now, university research has shown that singing is a great ice-breaker and can get groups of people to bond together more quickly than other activities can.
Two of Bahrain’s leading singing groups couldn’t agree more and hope the good news will attract even more people to joyously open their mouths and join in the fun.
The new study, published in the UK Royal Society’s Open Science journal, looked at how people attending adult education classes grew closer over seven months. The conclusion – singing groups bonded more quickly than creative writing or craft classes.
Dr Eiluned Pearce, from Oxford University’s Department of Experimental Psychology led the research. She said: “One of the key differences between humans and other primates is that we can exist in much larger social groups.
“Singing is found in all human societies and can be performed to some extent by the vast majority of people. It’s been suggested that singing is one of the ways in which we build social cohesion when there isn’t enough time to establish one-to-one connections between everyone in a group.
“We wanted to explore whether there was something special about singing as a bonding behaviour or whether any group activity would build bonds between members.”
To test the theory, the researchers worked with the charity Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), the UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult education. The WEA set up seven courses, four in singing, two in crafts and one in creative writing. Each course, made up of weekly sessions, was run over seven months, with a break in the middle.
Those attending the classes were given surveys before and after individual sessions in the first month, in the third month and at the end of the seven-month course. In it, they were asked to rate how close they felt to their classmates.
Dr Pearce said: “We had expected the singing classes to feel closer to each other than the other classes at the end of the seven months. However, we found something different.
“For every class, people felt closer to each other at the end of each two-hour session than they did at the start. At the end of the seven months, all the classes were reporting similar levels of closeness.
“The difference between the singers and the non-singers appeared right at the start of the study. In the first month, people in the singing classes became much closer to each other over the course of a single class than those in the other classes did. Singing broke the ice better than the other activities, getting the group together faster by giving a boost to how close classmates felt towards each other right at the start of the course.
“In the longer term, it appears that all group activities bring people together similar amounts. In non-singing classes ties strengthened as people talked to each other either during lessons or during breaks. But this is the first clear evidence that singing is a powerful means of bonding a whole group simultaneously.”
The research is part of a series of studies looking at how music leads to social bonding. Co-author Dr Jacques Launay added: “Given that music-making is an important part of all human cultures throughout history we think it probably evolved to serve some purpose.
“Evidence suggests that the really special thing that music does for us is encourage social bonding between whole groups of people playing and dancing together.”
Really close relationships still depend on interactions between individuals or much smaller groups, the researchers say, but this study shows singing can kick-start the bonding process.
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The Inspire Bahrain Choir is preparing for its Christmas Celebration Concert to be held at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club at 5pm on Friday, December 4.
Director and voice coach Lydia Martin challenges anyone who states that they cannot sing to come and have some coaching with a teacher who will help you ‘discover your natural voice’ and ‘encourage and develop your potential’.
She said: “At Inspire we believe that everyone can sing. Singing is an age-old method of communication and storytelling. It has been one of the main mediums of handing down stories, legends and traditions before the existence of the written word and also before the literacy of the wider community was established.
“I agree wholeheartedly with the new study. Since I have been coaching singers over the past 20 years I have formed lasting friendships and special relationships with many of my students and choir members.
“Singing is probably one of the greatest expressions of joy known to man so, certainly, a group of people rejoicing together in song is going to break down barriers and bring people together. Being happy tends to rub off on others.
“Singing is socially cohesive and unifying. This is clearly evident in sports matches where the corporate voices of fans literally raise the game. Also, the purpose of national anthems cannot be ignored. Each country has one which embodies national unity through singing.
“Men, women, teens and children alike can participate on an equal footing when joining together in song, as you will witness in our forthcoming Christmas Celebration Concert.”
The former director of performing arts at the British School of Bahrain set up The Inspire Arts Centre located on Highway 54, off Budaiya Highway, last year.
Lydia, a former St Christopher’s School teacher and co-creator of Sar Music Centre (SMC) describes Inspire Bahrain as a community-based project. The centre offers music and drama tuition as well as activities for mums and babies, toddlers, students and adults.
Inspire Bahrain’s website will be launched at the beginning of next week and readers are invited to browse the organisation’s pages and buy tickets for the forthcoming production of its festive show and the unique take on the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber classic CATS, staged under Music And Stage for Kids (MASK Productions) from December 10 to 15, also at the rugby club. Tickets are priced at BD7 and BD10.
For details, contact 39047734 or email catsinbahrain@gmail.com and for choir details reach Lydia at inspirebahrain@gmail.com
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Manama Singers are made up of amateur enthusiasts and the group has been established on the island for more than 42 years allowing people from different cultures and walks of life to come together to share their love and passion for music.
At present around 30 members join together to rehearse each week and in previous years the group has attracted more than 50 people on stage at any one time to perform.
Sadaf Karim, chairman of Manama Singers, said: “I totally agree with the research. I can vouch that we have created some very long-lasting friendships and the whole aspect of camaraderie is what keeps us going.
“We share laughs, tears and make memories together. As Manama Singers is a non-auditioned choir, the whole atmosphere is encouraging and welcoming.
“I strongly urge people to come and join us. It is a great way of unwinding and de-stressing after a long day at work. Plus, we raise money for charity which, in itself, is an incentive.
“Anyone can join the choir. All we ask is for the individual to have a love for music, commitment and to bring along a smile.”
The Manama Singers rehearse every Tuesday at St Christopher’s cathedral in Manama from 7pm to around 9.30pm. Sadaf added: “Just show up at the cathedral and we will all welcome you. As far as an age limit is concerned, I would say 18-plus, unless you absolutely want to sing with us and have the consent of your parents!”
The Manama Singers are currently preparing to present a performance of Christmas Around the World, directed by Leah Churchill, on Saturday, at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain. There will be a matinee at 4pm for families with children and an evening concert at 7pm.
Tickets cost BD5 for the afternoon show and BD7 in advance for the later show or BD8 on the door.
For further information and to join in rehearsals, contact Sadaf on 39326227 or email manamasingers@gmail.com
