So, you have seen the ads. for the Children’s choirs and are wondering if it is worth the juggling of schedules and family life to make yet another activity happen for your children.
Let me tell you a bit about the choirs: the Piccolos Children’s choir is for children ages 6-8, and is on Tuesdays from 4:30 – 5:15 with a focus on having fun with music. We will be doing lots of music activities. Clapping songs, acting and action songs, - Some real choral songs – think “ I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”, and “The Little Drummer Boy.” The children will learn to sing in tune, in choral style, and in ensemble together.
They will also start learning the life long skill of reading music, and participating in music as a singer.
Recently I learned that there is now scientific research which shows that doing corporate activities together such as clapping games and singing together actually helps children develop empathy.
Quoting from the TIME Magazine in an article August 16th 2013 by Stacy Horn:
“As the popularity of singing grows, science has been hard at work trying to explain why it has such a calming yet energizing effect of people. What researchers are beginning to discover is that singing is like an infusion of the perfect tranquilizer, the kind that both soothes your nerves, and elevates your spirits. The elation may come from endorphins, a hormone released in singing, which is associated with feelings of pleasure. Or it might be from oxytocin, another hormone released during singing , which has been found to alleviate anxiety and stress.
Oxytocin also enhances feelings of trust and bonding which may explain why studies have found that singing lessens feeling of depression and loneliness. A very recent study even attempts to make the case that “ music evolved as a tool of social living”, and that the pleasure that comes from singing together is our evolutionalry reward for coming together cooperatively, instead of hiding alone.”
Many schools are now using corporate singing as a tool in anti- bullying strategies, as it is proven to increase empathy, and enhance trust.
There are some wonderful YouTube videos of entire schools doing “ The Cup Song,” a song with actions using a plastic cup, that we will also be learning. The children love it!!
Be prepared to hear the wonderful and complex rhythm of “the Cup Song” in your playground and home.
The Flutes Choir is for children over nine years old. We will be learning some beautiful repertoires, and the fun cup song, as well as music theatre songs with choreography. The Flutes children’s choir will meet also on Tuesdays from 5:30 -6:30 .
For more information please give Alison Nixon a call at 778-688-2912, or email [email protected].
