Through these weekly practices — two formal concerts a year and random other appearances around the city — our members scratch a deep, almost primordial, itch to make music together.

The poet was right when he said music hath charms to soothe a savage breast. Studies show that singing, particularly in concert with others, has extraordinary therapeutic effects for individuals.

Daniel Levitin, psychology professor at McGill University and author of This is Your Brain on Music, says group singing has been an essential element of community building for tens of thousands of years. “Still today,” he says, “you can go to hunter-gatherer societies, pre-industrial tribes, and everybody sings, everybody dances. “It’s a shame, he says, when people say they can’t sing or dance. “That goes against our evolutionary history.”

More than that, his work has revealed that choral singing isn’t just good for the soul — it’s good for the body. By analyzing the changes in people’s brain activity when they sing together, he’s found a biological link between communal singing and stronger feelings of belonging and measurable mood elevation. >>

Caroline Bithell of the University of Manchester agrees, citing a popular saying of African origin: If you can walk, you can dance; if you can talk, you can sing.

“This has been adopted by many community choir leaders whose work is fuelled by the conviction that singing is our birthright — a natural activity that should be accessible to everyone — and a powerful tool for building and celebrating community.”

That is exactly what we have discovered at Hamilton Sings!

Because we do not require an audition to join, we attract people with a wide range of musical knowledge and experience. So every week there is the challenge of learning and the satisfaction of acquiring new skills.

Plus, our veteran choristers take great pride in helping newcomers — and each other — gain musical skill and confidence. And, as any teacher knows, there is great reward in helping others grow. >>

“We meet so many wonderful folks and talented singers and artists along the way,” says member Lynn Watkins. “The choir has helped me through some hard times and it has changed my life. I was and still am a shy person, but they have helped me get out of my bubble. I’ve become more open to my surroundings and am a better person than the girl I was yesterday.”

Six years ago, we started this experiment in community building with a couple of dozen people. Thanks to their dedication, and the dynamic leadership of Hanna Bech Mathieson (my partner in this venture), and a dedicated board of choir members, Hamilton Sings! Community Choir has become a place where our choristers not only fulfil their need to find joy in music; they also have ample opportunity to better appreciate the diverse talents and interests of other members of the broader Hamilton community.

Sound interesting? Feel free to find out more about us as we continue to build bridges in the community between people who otherwise would probably never have met.

Recipient of the City of Hamilton’s 2019 Arts Education and Community Arts Award, Sue Crowe Connolly works with people to claim their own voice, and trains vocal teachers and choral leaders. She founded and co-leads Hamilton Sings! Community Choir rehearses Saturday mornings at the Sherman Boys & Girls Club (formerly HARRRP), 705 Main Street East.