This section provides links to reports on academic and scientific research into singing and choirs and, more broadly, the value of community arts for health and wellbeing. There’s a wealth of useful data here, together with the kind of pithy, authoritative statements that can work well for publicity or funding applications. Many of the reports include reviews of other literature and links to relevant websites. Some also include policy recommendations and guidelines for good practice.
The Health Benefits of Singing and Community Choirs: A Brief Literature Review
Colin Brodie – Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (2013)
Sing Yourself Better: The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Singing in a Choir
Hilary Moss, Jessica O’Donoghue and Julie Lynch – Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (2017)
Voices Now (2017)
How Children, Adults, and Communities Benefit from Choruses: The Chorus Impact Study
Chorus America (2009)
Benefits of Group Singing for Community Mental Health and Wellbeing: Survey and Literature Review
Heather Gridley et al. – Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (2011)
Music, Singing and Wellbeing in Healthy Adults: Systematic Review
Norma Daykin et al. – What Works Centre for Wellbeing (2016)
Music, Singing and Wellbeing in Adults with Diagnosed Conditions or Dementia: Policy Briefing
What Works Centre for Wellbeing (2016)
Community of Voices Study Choir Program Manual
Julene K. Johnson et al. – University of California (2018)
(Report based on a study of ‘the effect of participation in a community choir for maintaining the health and well-being of diverse older adults’.)
Well-being and Integration Through Music
The role of improvisation in a music group of refugees, asylum seekers and local community members. Online Research @ Cardiff 2019.
Singing and Health: A Systematic Mapping and Review of Non-Clinical Research
Stephen Clift et al. – Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health (2008)
Choral Singing, Wellbeing and Health: Summary of Findings from a Cross-national Survey
Stephen Clift et al. – Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health (2008)
A Choir in Every Care Home: A Review of Research on the Value of Singing for Older People
Stephen Clift, Rebekah Gilbert and Trish Vella-Burrows – Baring Foundation (2016)
Ian Morrison and Stephen Clift – Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health (2012)
Singing and People with Dementia
Trish Vella-Burrows – Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health (2012)
Singing and People with Parkinson’s
Trish Vella-Burrows and Grenville Hancox – Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health (2012)
Singing and People with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Ian Morrison and Stephen Clift – Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health (2012)
Reducing Breathlessness Through Group Singing: Singing for Lung Health Impact Report
Milestone Tweed (2018)
Singing for Lung Health – A Systematic Review of the Literature and Consensus Statement
Adam Lewis et al. – npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine (2016)
Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing
All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing Inquiry Report (2017)
Arts Engagement and Wellbeing: Policy Briefing
What Works Centre for Wellbeing and All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing (2017)
The Role of Arts and Cultural Organisations in Health and Wellbeing: Policy Briefing
National Council of Voluntary Organisations and All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing (2017)
The Value of Arts and Culture to People and Society: An Evidence Review
Andrew Mowlah et al. – Arts Council England (2014)
Towards Cultural Democracy: Promoting Cultural Capabilities for Everyone
Nick Wilson, Jonathan Gross and Anna Bull – King’s College London (2017)
Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health
Based at Canterbury Christchurch University, this well-established centre is a powerhouse for ongoing research projects with a particular focus on singing. In addition to numerous reports produced by the centre (some of which are listed above), the site also houses sets of short videos and podcasts.