SingWell

Thank you @torontomet for this excellent profile of SingWell’s work! We are proud to be part of such a strong research community and a network of amazing partners. ➡️ Swipe through for a great overview of who we are, what we do, and what inspires us so much about driving research and practice on the benefits of group #singing 🔗 Read the full article at the link in bio 🩵 Shoutout to @allianceontario @canadianlungassociation @alztoronto @parkinsoncanada & #Aphasia Choirs Go Global mentioned in the article Photographs by Ryan Walker @arts_tmu #choir #socialprescribing #musictherapy #speechtherapy #wellbeing #communitychoir #parkinson #stuttering #copd #alzheimers

Why is group singing such a powerful tool for wellbeing in older adulthood? In this study, SingWell researchers explored how group singing affects wellbeing across biological, psychological, and social domains by following two community choirs — one for healthy aging older adults, and one for people with Parkinson’s. One of the most important findings: the benefits people experienced had nothing to do with how they assessed their own singing ability. The power of group singing comes from participation, not performance. And it’s an activity that people with different physical abilities can continue to do as they age. Science continues to shed light on how this ancient practice supports wellbeing from multiple angles at once. Swipe through for key findings and what it means for healthy aging ➡️ #HealthyAging #SocialPrescribing #longevity #musicismedicine #mentalhealth

Happy #WorldVoiceDay! There’s so much we want to highlight about how central the voice is to wellbeing, and how group singing supports this relationship. But since it’s also Parkinson’s Awareness Month, today we are spotlighting one clear example: How singing can improve vocal communication for people with Parkinson’s disease. In the words of one Parkinson’s singing group participant: “Parkinson’s kind of gives rise to introversion. You start to withdraw because you can’t relate, but if you’ve got a strong voice, you can overcome that.” Want to learn more about how group singing can support vocal, breathing, respiratory, and psychosocial outcomes for people with PD? Our latest SingWell resource synthesizes the research in an accessible way and showcases singing groups for people with PD online and across Canada. Check it out at ⭐️Singwell.ca/Parkinsons⭐️ #parkinsonsawarenessmonth #parkinsonssupport #speechtherapist #healthyaging

For many people living with Parkinson’s disease, changes in movement are only part of the picture. Parkinson’s can also affect the voice, breathing, and swallowing — making it harder to speak clearly, feel steady in the breath, or eat and drink with ease. Over time, these changes can shape how people connect with others, express themselves, and move through the world. Singing with others engages these systems together — bringing voice, breath, body, and social connection into a single shared activity. Ahead of World Parkinson’s Day, we’re pleased to share a new resource to help more people with PD tap into these benefits. It synthesizes the research in an accessible way for people with PD and those who support them. If you’re curious about: ➤ The range of benefits group singing can support for PD and how they work ➤ What a singing group for people with Parkinson’s actually looks like ➤ How to find a singing group near you We’ve brought these pieces together here: singwell.ca/parkinsons Many people living with Parkinson’s have experienced these benefits firsthand, and we hope many more will as awareness and access to group singing continues to grow. Please share this resource with others in your network who might find it useful! 🎶 #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #WorldParkinsonsDay #Parkinsons #ParkinsonsSupport #LivingWithParkinsons

🗣️ What if healthcare included how people connect and use their voices? Research continues to shed light on why group singing is one of the oldest human activities we know of — as well as how it can help address modern challenges like loneliness and strained healthcare systems. On Social Prescribing Day, we’re highlighting the role group singing can play in supporting health holistically. Through initiatives like Singing on Prescription with @chigamik , we’re exploring how singing can strengthen existing care pathways and extend support beyond clinical settings. #SocialPrescribingDay #SocialPrescribing #CommunityHealth #musicismedicine

Saliva contains a wide range of hormones — including cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone) and oxytocin (which plays a key role in social bonding). By measuring the levels of these hormones in people’s saliva before and after singing, we can link people’s self-assessments of group singing’s positive effects with observable physiological change. 📈 Swipe for more on what we’ve learned from saliva 🧪

🧐 Choirs for hearing loss? Yes, they exist. Barbara talks about how joining a singing group led by SingWell facilitator Sina Fallah (@cmecstudio ) helped her navigate the challenges posed by hearing loss — and what made the choir feel joyful and accessible to different abilities. Her experience reminds us of the many elements that make up strong communication. Evidence shows that active, socially engaging practices like singing with others can help people practice the skills that support everyday connection. #WorldHearingDay #HearingLoss #HearingHealth #SLP #healthyaging

New audio technology has allowed SingWell researchers to study how the experience of hearing other voices—and being heard—shapes the benefits people get from online singing groups. The ability to sing together while apart doesn’t just improve the experience — it broadens the sphere of impact, making group singing accessible to people with mobility challenges, health barriers, and people in remote communities. #Belonging #VirtualChoir #MusicAndHealth #GroupSinging

Some days, being present is the work. For Laura, group singing became a way to be “in the moment” and find sparks of joy and connection in the midst of chronic depression. She reminds us that singing doesn’t have to be about hitting the right notes. Singing together is an opportunity to be present and engaged, with ourselves and with each other. 💙If you’re feeling the winter blues, consider exploring singing groups near you: singwell.ca/group-singing-map

Fantastic piece from the BBC on the science behind why group singing is so good for us — including three studies from SingWell that found: 🤝 Singing with others can make us more willing to cooperate 💪 Group singing can boost immune function in ways that simply listening to music does not 🗣️ And it can strengthen vocal production and articulation in people living with #Parkinsons So if you’re looking for a reason to sing with others this holiday season — consider this your sign. 🎶🕯️ Check out the article at the link in bio for a great overview of the benefits of group singing and the SingWell research studies it references!

Thank you so much to everyone who took part in making SingWell’s 2025 Symposium such a special day 👏🎶 It was so enriching to not only hear the latest scientific discoveries on group singing, but also to see how SingWell researchers are building this evidence base with care, meticulousness and ingenuity. It was also powerful to zoom out and see the bigger picture taking place as we work to help more people tap into this powerful practice. Thank you to all of our speakers who devoted their time to share their research strides. ✨ We’re already looking forward to next year! If you want to stay connected with what’s going on in our network in between our annual symposiums, subscribe to our newsletter at the link in bio 🔗 #singing #wellbeing #socialprescribing #speechtherapy #musictherapy #choir #aphasia #hearingloss #stuttering #parkinsons #research #researchanddevelopment #symposium #singwell #singwellsymposium #psychology #socialpsychology #neuro #brain #brainhealth #singingislife #groupsinging #canada #canadianresearch #canadian #tmu #tmuuniversity #toronto #torontomusicscience #musicscience

Whether it’s a church choir, chanting in the streets, or 30,000 voices singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” singing with others helps us feel connected to something bigger. Group singing releases neurochemicals like endorphins and oxytocin, which play a key role in social bonding. This has led some theorists to suggest that one evolutionary purpose of group singing is to foster group cohesion and a sense of community. So if you’re among those asking themselves what team spirit is made of in the aftermath of the Jays’ heartbreaking loss, remember that singing brings us together, through the highs and the lows! 💙