Rocking It Out for Life

Sing, sing a song
Make it simple
To last your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not good enough
for anyone else to hear
Just sing, sing a song.

                          Lyrics by Joe Raposo

Did you know that singing can lead to a healthier and happier life?

While most of us consider music as a pleasurable activity, studies have found that participating in a chorus can produce positive health results for persons age 55 and over.

In a three year study involving 130 chorale members age 65 to 100, it was found that members of the chorale group had fewer doctor visits, fewer falls, lower levels of depression, lower levels of medication, and overall better morale than their non-singing counterparts.

The study conducted through the Levine School of Music’s Arlington, Virginia was part of the pioneering research of the late Dr. Gene Cohen who served as Director of the Center on Aging, Health, and Humanities.   

Cohen found that older adults who participated in any form of  creative and artistic activity had better health results than the control groups but that those who participated in chorale singing had the best health results of all.

Since 1982, hundreds of American seniors have been performing as members of the Young at Heart Chorus directed by Bob Cilman. The chorus members who perform rock, punk, indie and rap were originally residents of the Walter Salvo House, an elderly housing complex in Northampton, MA. Since then the chorus has performed internationally and was introduced to the world in documentary film released in 2008. Current chorus members range from 73 to 89 years of age.

To share the joy, I’ve attached two clips of the chorus. My personal favorite is “Bicycle Race” by Queen. A rather off-beat song done in great style.

Sit back.

Enjoy.

And please, sing along.

After all, it’s good for you.