From Campfires to Choirs: An Intro to Group Singing
It happens in cars, in classrooms, in bars, and in churches. It happens around campfires, kitchen tables, and microphones. Group singing happens just about anywhere two or more people gather. Joining with friends, family, or strangers in song can be an incredibly powerful experience, so much so that it even alters your brain chemistry. Singing with others doesn’t have to be complicated, and the benefits of group singing go far beyond just personal enjoyment.
What is group singing?
Group singing is the act of two or more people singing together in harmony or unison. While choirs are the first (and often only) type of group singing that many of us think of, communal singing is far more diverse than just choral music. If you’ve ever sung along to the radio with friends, joined in a song around the bonfire at summer camp, or chanted for your team at a sporting event, then you’ve engaged in group singing.
A brief history of group singing
As long as there have been human beings, there has been singing. Every human society, no matter how isolated, has some form of singing tradition. Ancient (and modern) cultures used singing in religious ritual, to share their myths and legends, and to mark rites of passage.
Jewish and Christian religions have incorporated music into worship, including group singing and call and response, for centuries, but they’re far from the only faiths to use song in worship. The oldest piece of notated music is the Hymn to Creation from the ancient Sumerian civilization, which dates back to before 800 B.C. We still experience group singing for worship today in the form of hymns, psalms, and ritual chants.
Of course, secular or folk singing has been a part of the human experience for just as long as religious music. African call-and-response music was brought to the Americas by enslaved people and became the roots of blues, gospel and rock and roll. The evolution of group singing continues to today. In Ireland and the United Kingdom, folk ballads told stories ranging from tragedy to romance to comedy.
Group singing and chants are still an important part of life in the U.S. and across the world. Protest songs and chants have brought inspiration and a sense of unity to protesters at rallies, with many of the most famous originating during the American Civil Rights Movement. In many countries, public or sporting events start with the stadium singing their country’s national anthem. Sweet Caroline has become the official unofficial anthem of the Boston Red Sox, and can be heard belted out (including the “Bah Bah Bah!” horn line) at every game at Fenway Park (and a lot of the bars surrounding it). Meanwhile, Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions” have become a soccer (or football, if you prefer) staple.
Benefits of group singing
In the United States, we often think of music as a performance, something we do for others to hear, but the magic of group singing is its participatory nature. There have been multiple scientific studies on the benefits of singing with others, from physical health to mental wellbeing to community building.
First, there are the physical benefits of group singing and singing generally. Singing can improve your breathing and respiratory health and strengthen your posture. Group singing has also been linked to lower levels of cortisol and higher levels of Immunoglobulin A antibodies, helping maintain a healthy immune system. For those suffering from dementia, signing has been shown to have a positive impact on memory, although the mechanisms behind it are still being studied
Secondly, group singing can be an amazing tool for building community. Singing with others also causes our brains to release oxytocin, a bonding hormone, as well as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These neurochemicals help lift our moods and feel connected with the people around us. Beyond the biological impacts, learning and performing songs together is the kind of shared experience and knowledge that is at the core of building community. In an era where it’s increasingly difficult to meet new people and make new friends (especially as an adult), singing groups can be a great way to build lasting relationships.
Finally, group singing can be an excellent way to build your confidence as a singer. If you love singing but hate the feeling of having all eyes on you, joining a choir or other singing group is a great way to take the stage without taking center stage. You don’t need to be the most talented or skilled vocalist to participate; choirs are greater than the sum of their parts. They can also be an excellent place to learn skills like reading music, matching pitch, and singing harmony. We can’t tell you how many professional singers got their start singing in choirs.
How to get involved in group singing
Choirs
Choirs or choral groups are one of the most obvious ways to get involved with group singing. If you’re in middle or high school, most schools have choir programs that range from open-to-everyone elective classes to competitive show choirs that require auditions. Both youths and adults can join choirs through their religious communities. Many churches and temples have active choirs, which are often open to even the most inexperienced singer.
Of course, you don’t have to go to church to enjoy group singing. You can find secular choirs in many cities, and skilled vocalists may even want to audition for their local symphony chorale. You can find a list of choirs with links to their websites at the American Choral Directors Association website. Not every choir will be registered with the ACDA, so if you don’t see one that fits your needs or style, don’t give up hope.
Campfires and sing-alongs
While they may now be relegated to summer camp and children’s shows, sing-alongs were once a popular activity for adults. Sing-alongs were once common downtime activities for the armed forces, while drinking songs have long found a home in pubs and bars. Nowadays, if you want to participate in a sing-along, you’ll likely have to organize it yourself.
Organizing a sing-along doesn’t need to be complicated. You don’t even need to be able to play an instrument. The key to success is choosing songs that are easy to sing, either because they’re familiar to your community or because they’re simple and repetitive enough to be picked up on the fly. This might look like generation-spanning pop hits like “Here Comes the Sun,” favorite hymns, campfire classics like “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain,” or call-and-response (also called echo songs) like “Boom Chicka Boom.” The holiday season is a great time to get a sing-along started. Even if you don’t celebrate a religious holiday, there are plenty of secular holiday songs like “Jingle Bells” or “Frosty the Snowman” that you likely know well.
Jam Sessions
While similar to sing-alongs, jams often center on instrumentalists rather than vocalists. But that doesn’t mean there’s no singing. Just like with a sing-along, most jams will draw on well-known popular songs, which often have lyrics. Nashville’s Full Moon Pickin’ Party happens monthly during the warmer months and brings together hundreds of music lovers to watch and participate in live bluegrass jams. While singers aren’t the focus of the event, there are plenty of people lending their voices to beloved bluegrass and country songs like Rocky Top.
Group singing events
There are a number of one-time events that allow you to dip your toes into the world of group singing. Some movie theaters host sing-along screenings, sometimes with the classic bouncing ball to guide viewers through the lyrics. The Sound of Music is a classic family-friendly option. Zelda joined 2,000 other moviegoers in Sydney’s State Theatre to sing along with Julie Andrews. The cult favorite Rocky Horror Picture Show has also become one of the most well-known movie sing-alongs for adults. Hosted at theaters throughout the US and beyond, Rocky Horror screenings are an experience; guests are encouraged to attend in costume and will shout and sing along with the film, reciting lines in response to on-screen dialogue. These screenings happen throughout the year, but are most common around Halloween.
Pub Choir is a group music lesson, pop-up choir, and comedy show that originated in Australia and now tours the world, delighting thousands who turn up to sing. At each show, the creator and host, Astrid Jorgensen, guides the audience through an improvised music lesson, helping them sing in harmony by the end of the night. Events like this require no preparation (other than buying a ticket, of course) and no prior experience. They can be a fun way to try out group or choral singing without the pressure of an audition or a long-term commitment.
Group karaoke night
Whether you go to a bar or pull up a YouTube video at home, karaoke is an accessible way to sing with others. You can choose a song that is traditionally a duet or perform a solo track with a group of friends. There are no auditions, no ratings, and - unless you specifically seek out a contest - no competition, making this a fun, low-stakes way to sing with others. True story: We know a pair of singers who met on a singing app that allows singers to record duets together from anywhere in the world. The pair fell in love and have since gotten married. You never know what group singing can lead to.
Things to remember
It doesn’t need to be complicated or perfect
While we often think of singing as a performance in the U.S., the benefits of group singing come from participation, regardless of whether or not you have an audience. You don’t need to sing well or even sing in harmony to experience the physical and mental benefits of singing with others. The only requirement is to be singing or chanting (generally) in rhythm with your fellow vocalists. Your rhythm doesn’t need to be flawless, your pitch doesn’t need to be perfect; what matters is that you’re doing it at all.
It doesn’t need to be formal
There’s no best way to participate in group singing. If letting go and belting along to the radio with friends works for you, it’s no less valid than auditioning for a symphony chorale. Music is core to the human experience, and our relationship to it is as diverse as we are. Remember, synchronous vocalization (singing or chanting in time with others) is the key to getting the benefits of group singing.
Voice lessons can be a great tool
Whatever way you choose to participate in group singing, voice lessons can help you get even more out of your new hobby. For so many of us, the fear of singing in front of others keeps us from participating in a choir or karaoke night. Working with a trusted voice teacher can help build your confidence so that you can take the next step in your singing journey.
If you’re already an active participant in group singing, a vocal coach can help you take it to the next level. A coach can help you prepare for auditions, strengthen your vocal skills, or improve your sight-reading ability. One of Zelda’s students used her lessons to prepare for a holiday choir audition (which she aced and got the part), while another achieved his goal of leading a sing-along by building his repertoire and strengthening his musical skills to play ukulele while singing.
Still another student participates in regular gatherings called Kumzits, where they sing traditional Jewish songs. Her coaching time focused on building her confidence singing while playing guitar to better lead her favorite songs.
Another of Zelda’s students wanted coaching to hold his own in capoeira, a Brazilian music tradition that combines voice, drums, percussion, dance, martial arts, and more. The music features complex rhythms, and the song lyrics are in Brazilian Portuguese, adding another layer of challenge for her student.
Ready to join the choir?
However you participate in group singing, we hope it brings you joy and fulfillment. Whether you’re prepping for choir auditions, polishing up your karaoke repertoire, or looking to gain confidence leading songs around the campfire, we’re here to help. Schedule a discovery session with Zelda and start achieving your singing goals. Wherever, however, and with whoever you choose to sing, don’t forget to love your voice.