A series of regular a capella singing workshops for male voices will start tomorrow, Thursday 11 January.
Building on the hugely successful singing workshop led by UK member of the Spooky Mens Chorale – Dominic Stichbury, in November, men can now take part in fortnightly sessions, led by local choral leaders Charles Huckvale and Laurence Rugg.
As part of the council’s project to encourage more male singers to take part in group singing in Hull, the sessions will take place between 7.30 – 9pm on:
Thursday 11 January at Danish Church, Ferensway, Hull
Thursday 25 January at The Royal Hotel, Ferensway, Hull
Thursday 8 and 22 February and 22 March at Danish Church, Ferensway, Hull,
All parts will be taught by ear in an inclusive and welcoming way and no experience is necessary. The emphasis is on having fun.
Councillor Terry Geraghty, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Tourism and Chair of Hull Culture and Leisure Limited, said: Men are under-represented in singing groups nationally, including in Hull. These sessions are part of an outreach programme and part of the Councils Singing City initiative, which seeks to encourage more men to get involved in group singing.
The scientific evidence is overwhelming: group singing is good for you. It promotes general health, happiness and well-being while simultaneously being the best way known to researchers to meet and bond with new people. A study published by a team at Oxford University in October 2015, found that because we rarely, if ever, sing together these days, many people and especially those living in large cities feel lonely and socially isolated. Book clubs, craft classes, team sports are all good, the researchers concluded, but nothing lubricates the wheels of social cohesion quite like a good sing.
Research also shows that singing with other people triggers happy hormones such as oxytocin and lowers stress and blood pressure as well as having a significant impact on conditions such as Parkinsons, lung disease and a range of mental-health issues including clinical depression.
So if you are a man looking for a healthy New Years resolution, thats also fun why not come and join in with our more Singing for Blokes sessions?
No booking is needed and it is free to take part. Simply turn up and have fun.
Contact Hull City Councils Arts Development on 01482 300 300 for further information.