Author Archive
Facts, Facts, Facts, Facts………
October 7th, 2009 | 
Author: If you are at all like me, you look at a piece of research with a mild level of scepticism. It’s not that you don’t believe what’s written, or the excitement that surrounds the findings, but more a case of “Well exactly how many people took part in the study and can it really be rolled out as representative of the whole country?”
As one who has used ‘facts’ gathered from many sources, as part of his former professional life, I am someone who adopted the Nietzsche principle on facts a long time ago.
There is no such thing as fact, there is only interpretation
I’ll leave you to ponder that statement for yourselves. For me, it’s a truism for I always like to interpret a ‘fact’ and see how the evidence affects me, or relates to my own experience. So with that in mind, let me give you some examples of research evidence that is widely available today. Where appropriate, I will comment from my personal point of view, but I would love any additional comments you may have on what is written here.
Let’s hear it for Sweden
CHORAL singing is good for health, a Swedish psychologist has reported, after conducting research into the long tradition of choral music in Sweden.
The psychologist, Dr Maria Sandren, from the University of Stockholm, presented her findings at a seminar in Canterbury Christ Church University in Folkestone, UK during 2008.
Choral singing has a long tradition in Sweden and one out of five people sing in a choir. Results indicated that choral singing had strong effects on the well being in that positive emotions increased significantly and, in turn, negative emotions radically subsided. In conclusion, I found that choral singers, particularly women, are happier, more alert and relaxed after a rehearsal.
The Conductors View: So do the Swedes have a magic formula? I can say absolutely, that in both the choirs I currently conduct, I have many examples of increased wellbeing that emerges from the singing experience. Even after a tough rehearsal, I have members who come up and say how much better they feel from the physical act of singing.
Dr Sandren did not comment in her research on how the content of the songs they sang affected the singers health. I have seen a lot of anecdotal evidence, albeit the words, the melody or how those two vital components combine within the piece they are singing.
Posted in 
Introduction to the Conductors Blogspot
THE CONDUCTORS BLOGSPOT
I want to try and use this space on our website to outline some of my thoughts about singing, singers and the many benefits that can be found in ‘joining in’ with a choir or in fact, any singing opportunity.
Whilst I will express many personal views or experiences, I am never shy about quoting others, or utilising their writings as a way of highlighting shared experience.
Please visit the site often and feel free to post your own comments or thoughts on what you find written here, or even how singing has helped you.
And Finally….
I want to put this quote by Professor Graham Welch here at the start of these blog pages. I have used it before in articles and for me it shows how serious research can show in both physiological and emotional terms how singing really is ‘good for you’
Professor Graham Welch, Chair of Music Education at the Institute of Education, University of London, who has studied developmental and medical aspects of singing for 30 years says,
The health benefits of singing are both physical and psychological. Singing has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting. Singing has psychological benefits because of its normally positive effect in reducing stress levels through the action of the endocrine system which is linked to our sense of emotional well-being. Psychological benefits are also evident when people sing together as well as alone because of the increased sense of community, belonging and shared endeavour.
The Conductor – Dorian Edwards (October 2009)
Singing Is Good For You!
There are many things about which the UK claims to be the envy of the world, but when it comes to choirs, the boast is justified. It’s one of the things the UK truly excels at,. More than any other country, we have an amazing amateur tradition. We are the only country with a 1,000-year unbroken tradition of cathedral choir schools. It is one of the things we really do well.
So, after years of decline, choirs are becoming cool, spurred by the success of the choirmaster Gareth Malone’s award-winning BBC2 series on choirs. There are now more than 25,000 registered in Britain. They make people feel good. Choirs are the only place where people come together and express a common emotion. “That’s why football crowds sing and why choirs are incredibly valuable to society in general.”
It seems a lot of people want to get involved in singing these days. You can have singing for health, singing for pregnancy, singing against depression, singing for fun, and even singing to cure snoring (jury is out on this one…). There is no doubt that singing is good for you and you can get two hours of goodness for less than a pint of Guinness!
Professor Graham Welch, Chair of Music Education at the Institute of Education, University of London, who has studied developmental and medical aspects of singing for 30 years says,
“The health benefits of singing are both physical and psychological. Singing has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting. Singing has psychological benefits because of its normally positive effect in reducing stress levels through the action of the endocrine system which is linked to our sense of emotional well-being. Psychological benefits are also evident when people sing together as well as alone because of the increased sense of community, belonging and shared endeavour.”
I think he is saying that all in all, singing is a good thing to do.
Here in Bramley we know that to be true.
Entry Exam
Somebody I know well, sent me this entry exam paper for A very well known Orchestra & Choir. He claims it to be a real document and is used for all new applicants. I think it is used, but more as a test of the applicants humour than anything else. I have visions of an earnest musician sitting down to answer this paper, on seeing it they palpitate at the fear of hidden meanings in the questions Or perhaps, some deep psychological interpretation of their answers. One last thing; As you see it here is exactly how it is written and laid out – Quite cruel really.
Whatever the truth, it is good fun. Enjoy…..!
The pass mark is 10% but be careful–over 45% and you are overqualified.
1. Who wrote the following:
a) Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6
b) Fauve’s Requiem
c) Wagner’s Ring Cycle
[5 pts.]
2. Tchaikovsky wrote 6 symphonies including Symphony
no. 4. Name the other five.
[5 pts.]
3. Explain “counterpoint” or write your name on the
reverse of the paper.
[10 pts.]
4. Which of the following would you tuck under you chin?
a) a timpani
b) an organ
c) a ‘cello
d) a viola
[1 pt.]
5. Can you explain “sonata form”? (Answer yes or no.)
[5 pts.]
6. Which of the following literary works was made the
subject of a Verdi opera?
a) First among Equals — Jeffrey Archer
b) Macbeth — William Shakespeare
c) Noddy and Big Ears — Enid Blyton
[5 pts.]
7. Domenico Scarlatti wrote 555 harpsichord sonatas for
which instrument?
[5 pts.]
8. Arrange the following movements in order of speed,
starting with the slowest first.
a) Quickly
b) Slowly
c) Very Quickly
d) At a Moderate Pace
[4 pts.]
9. Where would you normally expect to find the conductor
during a performance?
[5 pts.]
10. Which of the following wrote incidental music to
A Midsummer Night’s Dream?
a) Des O’Connor
b) Mickey Mouse
c) Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
d) Terry Wogan
[5 pts.]
11. Which of the following is the odd one out?
a) Sir Colin Davis
b) Andrew Davis
c) Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
d) Desmond Lynham
[5 pts.]
12. Arrange the following words into the name of a well
known Puccini opera.
Bohème, La
[5 pts.]
13. Within five minutes, how long is Chopin’s Minute Waltz?
[5 pts.]
14. From which of the following countries did Richard
Strauss come?
a) Venezuela
b) Sri Lanka
c) Germany
d) Japan
[5 pts.]
15. For what town were Haydn’s “Paris” Symphonies written?
[5 pts.]
16. Which is the odd one out?
a) Fantasy Overture Romeo and Juliet — Tchaikovsky
b) Romeo and Juliet — Berlioz
c) Romeo and Juliet Ballet — Prokofiev
d) Ten Green Bottles — anon.
[5 pts.]
17. From which song do the following lines come?
“God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen.”
[5 pts.]
18. Spell the following musical terms.
allegro
rallentando
crotchet
pizzicato
intermezzo
[5 pts.]
19. Tosca is a character found in which Puccini opera?
[5 pts.]
20. Arrange the following letters to form the abbreviation
for a well known British broadcasting corporation.
C, B, B.
[5 pts.]