Group singing.

[Gracey]

I wasn't sure where to put this topic, so I hope this is the correct place?
Group singing
Choirs, community choirs, fun singing groups?
Has anyone else tried this as a way of being 'social' but without the pressure of actually being social?

I've very recently started singing with U.K groups. Just a small 'fun' singing group to begin with that's run like a drop-in. It's for the purpose of well being, singing for singings sake. No pressure to perform. Just simply singing any old song that's chosen randomly and all have a bash and join in if they want to, No Pavarottis' or Katherine Jenkins, just good old singing for enjoyment.

I can't tell you how good it feels There are studies to suggest communal singing can trigger oxytocin, notable benefits to mental health and well being, reduce blood pressure and I'm willing to wager it triggers some endorphins and must give me personally a hit of dopamine because I keep on going back for more.

So pleased am I that nobody has yet said 'get lost you weirdo' I joined a much bigger community choir. 60 strong, more structured but an emphasis on 'community' so people actually want to speak to me. Normally I would avoid such gatherings because the anxieties attached would overpower the desire however; so far so good.
The anxieties are more powerful due to greater triggers but singing regulates my breathing, focusing on lyrics and keeping up with the tune and timing fills my head so I have no 'headspace' left for dread or awkwardness, self consciousness, stress or reacting to triggers when I'm singing the same words as 60 others, at the same time...and they are scripting too (lyrics)

To date I can't read music, never been trained in singing, don't know the difference between a B flat or high C but I think I might have one of those Aspie super powers that can hear every instrument played or every voice arrangement in a song and that appears to be enough.

Sorry about the long post but I'm really excited that I can stand alongside others and feel a sense of community and belonging. Working toward the same goal, being sociable without actually being sociable.

 

[Mia]

Used to sing in a choir as well when I was a teenager. We toured around in the area, singing at various churches. I enjoyed it very much. Couldn't read music either, and had trouble controlling a high soprano voice. But I really like the feeling I had back then singing with a group of people, it was being part of a group of many voices that I liked so much that blended together into one. It seemed like a massive and powerful force that was enjoyable to experience and hear.

 

[Tyrantus1212]

I once joined the choir in grade school because I wanted people to notice me, but then quit because it wasn't what I really wanted to do, and I just didn't have enough motivation. I have problems with focus, concentration and motivation when it comes to things that I'm not very interested in. If I didn't quit for that reason, I would have probably quit because someone would eventually start picking on me; that's what happened with judo anyway (my parents wanted me to do judo, I had no interest in any sports or martial arts).

 

[Alaska]

I was in a grade school orchestra, a multicultural choir and played in a small group. I liked all of it.

It is great that you are enjoying your musical experience. I hope that you will continue.

 

[FreeDiver]

Sorry! I just had to do this.

 

[SusanLR]

I've never sang in a group. It sounds like it would be fun.
The closest thing I always enjoyed was Karaoke and I did some volunteer singing with my cousin in hospital psych units. He sang and played guitar. I sang, had a tamborine and put the words on a projector on the wall for the group to see. The idea was to work the group and get them singing too. Most did and it was a type of therapy.
I can read music and that helps when you don't really know the song! Haven't done either in several years now that I am in a rather 'tied down' lifestyle. Miss it.

 

[Crossbreed]

I was in two musical plays in elementary school with solo & group singing parts.

I've been in junior high & high school choirs and church choirs at the same time. I was also in an acapella choir in Navy boot camp.

My present taste in churches have no choirs, just bands.

 

[Kirsty]

That's great, Gracey! (Pardon the alliteration. It wasn't intentional. Promise!)

I'm thinking about going back to a choir now, but probably won't... because there's just too much 'homework'. I enjoy it for the same reasons as you as it's like scripting and takes away my social disability/anxiety. There's no pressure for long conversations and you can get up and leave if the conversations get a bit overwhelming to join in and come back. I just don't have the ability to start or maintain good conversation; especially with new people. I make it brief and try to be polite as possible and smile. I think it shows that I'm uneasy. As soon as we practiced rehearsing again, the tension disappeared as the focus was off others and myself.

 

[OlLiE]

if i were in a band, i'd be the tone deaf guy whose mic was turned off

 

[Kirsty]

if i were in a band, i'd be the tone deaf guy whose mic was turned off

Or even just mime.

 

[Sherlock77]

I'm not in a formal choir, but every Sunday at church when we sing the worship songs I'm singing with everyone else. I feel uncomfortable singing in public, I don't like karaoke!

 

[pandora]

I wasn't sure where to put this topic, so I hope this is the correct place?
Group singing
Choirs, community choirs, fun singing groups?
Has anyone else tried this as a way of being 'social' but without the pressure of actually being social?

I've very recently started singing with U.K groups. Just a small 'fun' singing group to begin with that's run like a drop-in. It's for the purpose of well being, singing for singings sake. No pressure to perform. Just simply singing any old song that's chosen randomly and all have a bash and join in if they want to, No Pavarottis' or Katherine Jenkins, just good old singing for enjoyment.

I can't tell you how good it feels There are studies to suggest communal singing can trigger oxytocin, notable benefits to mental health and well being, reduce blood pressure and I'm willing to wager it triggers some endorphins and must give me personally a hit of dopamine because I keep on going back for more.

So pleased am I that nobody has yet said 'get lost you weirdo' I joined a much bigger community choir. 60 strong, more structured but an emphasis on 'community' so people actually want to speak to me. Normally I would avoid such gatherings because the anxieties attached would overpower the desire however; so far so good.
The anxieties are more powerful due to greater triggers but singing regulates my breathing, focusing on lyrics and keeping up with the tune and timing fills my head so I have no 'headspace' left for dread or awkwardness, self consciousness, stress or reacting to triggers when I'm singing the same words as 60 others, at the same time...and they are scripting too (lyrics)

To date I can't read music, never been trained in singing, don't know the difference between a B flat or high C but I think I might have one of those Aspie super powers that can hear every instrument played or every voice arrangement in a song and that appears to be enough.

Sorry about the long post but I'm really excited that I can stand alongside others and feel a sense of community and belonging. Working toward the same goal, being sociable without actually being sociable.

I'm so glad you shared this! It's been 20 years since I've been to church and singing in the choir is the only thing I miss. I also felt a powerful connection singing in a group that made me feel like I belonged when there was nowhere else in life that I did. This inspires me to look into joining a choir again.
"Being sociable without actually being sociable" sounds perfect

 

[Crossbreed]

I'm not in a formal choir, but every Sunday at church when we sing the worship songs I'm singing with everyone else.

That describes the kind of church that I would attend, now (if they could accommodate my daughter).