Choral Singing is Good for You

Statistics from the recent Chorus Impact Study from Chorus America reveal that more than 54 million Americans, 18 years or older, are singing in a choir. Roughly 73% report feeling connected to others through socialization and hold a more positive attitude due to their regular activity in a choir. Three-quarters of adults surveyed report that their first experience in a choir was in elementary, middle school or high school, and nearly 20% of older choristers stated that singing relieved chronic health conditions and improved cognitive ability. In addition, of the estimated 5.6 million people worldwide who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s-related dementia, more and more are singing in “dementia choirs.” With no drug-based cure for dementia, social interventions--such as choirs for people with early-stage memory loss--are improving the social, emotional, and physical well-being of participants and their care partners.