“Singing bonds people together, exercises a range of muscles and makes you feel happy,” declares TV choir master Gareth Malone.<\/p>\n
\u201cSinging is good for your health,\u201d he says. \u201cIt lifts the spirits and you can do it for free.\u201d No wonder then that so many older people are finding harmony in retirement and forming choirs.<\/p>\n
A shared love of singing has brought people together across five retirement developments in Dorset to form the Churchill Millstream Choir.<\/p>\n
Ali Sharpe (pictured above), a choir master and voice coach for 30 years lives at Churchill Retirement\u2019s Dean Lodge development in Southbourne, where she keeps her grand piano in her two-bed apartment.<\/p>\n
\u201cChurchill approached me to see if we could get a choir going with people from a few different Lodges in the area,\u201d she said. \u201cSinging is so good for you and it\u2019s a chance for people to socialise whilst enjoying a hobby.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor many this is the first time they have sung in a choir since school,\u201d adds Ali. \u201cSinging improves confidence, breathing and posture and encourages you to stand up and find your voice. The voice is another muscle that you will lose if you don\u2019t use.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also give out sheets for a maintenance regime and how to improve muscle function.\u201d (www.churchillretirement.co.uk<\/a>)<\/p>\n Some retirement communities actively encourage music and singing. Zara Ross, CEO of Lynwood Village, a purpose-built community for the over 65s in Sunninghill in Berkshire says:<\/p>\n “Music has a wonderful way of creating opportunities for people to meet, socialise and even perform together so it\u2019s an important part of\u00a0community\u00a0life here at Lynwood.<\/p>\n Lynwood\u2019s choir gives regular concerts and is currently rehearsing its Christmas repertoire. The purpose-built village has a restaurant, coffee shop, health and fitness centre and landscaped gardens. It also has a dedicated therapy centre. \u00a0(www.lynwoodvillage.co.uk<\/a>)<\/p>\n