What happens when a room full of individuals starts singing together — and why can the effect feel so powerful?
Following the collective singing experience in the opening keynote, this interactive session explores the science and psychology behind singing together — and what it can teach us about supporting the wellbeing of young people.
James Sills will begin by exploring how singing can support the three interconnected pillars of health — physical, mental and social — before zooming out to examine the mechanisms that make collective singing so powerful: trust, participation, synchrony, psychological safety and belonging.
For educators and professionals working to support wellbeing in schools and colleges, the session will consider how these principles can help create environments where young people feel safer, more connected, more engaged and part of something bigger than themselves.
Drawing upon ideas from his first book, Do Sing, and introducing ideas from his upcoming book, The Choir Effect, James will combine research with stories and practical insights from schools, choirs, workplaces and communities — demonstrating how the lessons of the choir can reach far beyond music.
Session aimsParticipants will:
- Understand how singing can support the physical, mental and social health of young people
- Explore how singing can support breathing, stress regulation, mood, confidence and emotional wellbeing
- Consider how shared music can help address social isolation and disconnection and strengthen a young person’s sense of belonging
- Discover the Icebreaker Effect and why strangers who sing together can bond surprisingly quickly
- Understand how synchrony — coordinating our voices, breathing, attention and behaviour — can strengthen social bonds and move us from “me” towards “we”
- Explore why active participation can create deeper connection than passive observation
- Consider the importance of psychological safety, vulnerability and the stretch zone, particularly when inviting young people to participate
- Explore how shared rituals, collective flow, collective joy and peak moments can strengthen groups and school communities
- Translate these ideas beyond music into practical ways of creating greater trust, connection and belonging in schools and colleges
