Joining a choir – walking into a room full of strangers and joining them in song – can be a daunting prospect. However, the benefits are more than worth it. You’re capable of more than you can imagine, and joining a choir is a great way to unlock your potential!
1 – It’s a great way to meet new people
The most immediate benefit you’ll notice from joining a choir is the connection you feel with those around you. It’s a great way to get out of the house, meet new people, and make friends with people in your local area.
“What I really like about the With One Voice choir here is the social aspect. So, meeting a wide range of people, different people, different backgrounds,” says Brian from our St Kilda choir, who rehearse on Monday nights in Melbourne. “I just think it’s great that you’re accepted for who you are… there doesn’t seem to be any kind of stigmatisation at all.”
“I come here on a Monday [and] I feel uplifted straight away,” says Rory from our Geelong choir. “The social connection helps a lot.”
There are countless studies that have demonstrated how singing with other creates an instant sense of social cohesion and belonging. Singing in a choir “fosters an immediate connection and empathy with the people we’re surrounded by.” In our 2024 survey of With One Voice choir members, 88% reported an improved sense of community connection, and 68% of respondents said that they feel less lonely or isolated since joining the choir. In a country where almost 1 in 3 people feel lonely, opportunities to experience connection like this are more important than ever.
2 – It makes you happy!
Singing in a choir brings immense happiness, creating a sense of connection and community through the shared experience of joyful music. Whether you’re singing for wellbeing or simply singing for joy, the act of using your voice alongside others is both uplifting and therapeutic. Choir rehearsals and performances often feel like a singalong with friends, where the focus isn’t on perfection but on expression and togetherness. Singing in a choir isn’t a competitive activity, and there’s no end goal to strive for – it’s just for fun!
When we surveyed more than 600 With One Voice members across the country, 97% of respondents said that they feel better after choir than before. “I can just let go of my everyday duties as an employee, mum, wife and friend and fill up my well-being cup to pour from,” said one of our members. “I start rehearsal with a frown and end with a smile,” said another.
I feel a lot happier, gained more confidence in myself, stepped out of my comfort zone and also made friends with other choir members.
The endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine that you get from singing are shown to improve mood – research has found that people feel more positive after actively singing than they do after passively listening to music or chatting about positive life events. Singing has also been shown to lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. Back in 2008, a survey of more than 1,100 choral singers revealed that the sense of connectedness and wellbeing that comes from singing together resulted in significantly higher life satisfaction.
3 – It’s good for your mental health
Aside from the social benefits, studies have shown time and again that singing – and especially singing with others – is good for mental health. Singing lowers our stress levels and increases feel-good hormones like serotonin and oxytocin. It also greatly improves our brain’s plasticity and adaptability. Music has been shown to be helpful when dealing with mental health issues, and singing has been used to help people manage trauma, grief, and loss. New studies are constantly finding new ways in which singing is mentally beneficial.
Richard from our Mt Druitt choir told the ABC in April 2023 that the choir rehearsals “reignited his passion for music” after his dementia diagnosis, and “he has credited singing with the choir with rebuilding his confidence.” In our 2024 survey of With One Voice choir members, 84% of respondents said that the choir has had a positive impact on their mental health. Members mentioned feeling more confident, relaxed, uplifted, and joyful since joining their choir.
4 – It’s good for your physical health
Research has suggested that singing can improve a wide range of issues such as breathing, posture, linguistic ability, children’s reading, dementia and respiratory issues.
I am a believer that music is the way the brain likes to communicate, and so if you’re involved in music one way or the other, it is helpful to the brain.
My recovery has been considerable, and I would base a lot of that recovery on my involvement with music.
Singing uses a different area of the brain than speech – this means that when someone’s speech centre is damaged, such as by a stroke, therapy can use singing to help people improve their speech.
When surveyed, a number of our members mentioned improvements to their physical health, such as improved breathing and reduced stress. “[I] decided to stop smoking to be able to keep singing,” said one of our members. Other improvements mentioned included lowered blood pressure, improved memory, and better sleep.
Choirs are even “prescribed” by health professionals in a practice called Social Prescribing. This began in the UK as a practice where a GP tackles their patient’s loneliness, isolation or low levels of activity by formally writing a ‘prescription’ to a social group, such as a choir! The Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education (ASPIRE) says many Australian doctors are already using Social Prescribing as a tool to help combat an ongoing loneliness epidemic.
5 – You can express yourself
Community choirs also provide a safe space where you’re able to express yourself, and even make mistakes, without fear of judgement. They are “smaller worlds with kinder rules” – a place where it doesn’t matter if you’re loud or quiet, perfectly in-tune or completely tone-deaf. When you join together with others to sing you’re no longer an individual voice, and nobody can hear the mistakes you make.
We give this kind of snapshot of humanity. We don’t try to iron it out into everyone sounding the same way or looking the same or acting the same. We try to celebrate their individual characters, but every person’s voice is part of the overall fabric. That’s what makes it work so well, but it’s also so beautiful to me.
“It’s a friendly, safe environment where you can actually just start expressing freely,” says Zakdon from With One Voice St Kilda. “I didn’t think that I had a voice, but there’s a voice appearing from somewhere.”
“I love it here, I love coming out of my shell, I love being me,” says Jessica from our Geelong choir. “I’m free to be me, whereas outside in society I feel the pressure of having to be like everybody else.”
There are no auditions, and no singing experience required to be part of a community choir. It’s an environment where everyone is welcome, and everyone is accepted as they are.
6 – Performance opportunities
Our members have performed everywhere from Federation Square and Melbourne Town Hall to their local Bunnings! We’ve had our choirs support artists like Chocolate Starfish and Katie Noonan, perform at local festivals, and do flash-mobs on the street. When you’re in a community choir, you never know what opportunities are going to come your way!
All performances are optional, but it’s a great way to work together towards a shared goal with your fellow choir members, and celebrate together afterwards!
Performances are also a great way of giving back to your community. Our choirs have performed at events to support a number of causes, including the Cancer Council, St Bart’s in Perth, and Feed Me Geelong. A number of With One Voice choirs also regularly perform at aged care centres, sharing the joy of singing with the residents.
With One Voice Chatswood on stage before supporting Katie Noonan
With One Voice Perth backstage with the band Chocolate Starfish, after supporting them on their Best of Everything Tour
With One Voice Whitehorse backstage with the band Chocolate Starfish, after supporting them on their Best of Everything Tour
With One Voice Sydney backstage with the band Chocolate Starfish, after supporting them on their Best of Everything Tour
7 – Build your confidence
When we step out of our comfort zones and try new things, we grow! Choir can be the perfect place to do this – in a supportive and nurturing environment, with no judgement and no pressure. Many of our members reported feeling more confident because of the choir, whether socially or in their singing abilities. Being involved in a community, feeling a sense of belonging, and regularly spending time with others are fantastic ways to build up social skills and confidence.
“I feel much more socially confident and am more comfortable going places by myself and chatting with people I haven’t met,” said one of our members. “I’m autistic and I feel choir has significantly improved my social skills. I also feel it has increased my self-esteem, as I feel accomplished and proud of myself every time I attend.”
8 – Foster a sense of belonging
Joining a community choir is about more than just music – it’s a powerful way to foster a deep sense of belonging. Research has shown that singing can be used to generate social connection, cohesion, and understanding between people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Choirs naturally build connection through shared purpose and collective expression, offering a space where everyone’s voice matters. As one choir member shared, “It was the first thing I had done for myself after my breakup, so it gave me community, friends, and joy through singing!” Another recalled, “I had some time away because of my health. I got so many messages and people checking in from the choir. And the welcome when I returned made me feel valued and cared about. Who could wish for more?”
In a world where genuine connection can be hard to find, community choirs offer a warm, welcoming place to belong.
9 – Improve your singing
Joining a community choir is a fantastic way to improve your singing, whether you’re a seasoned performer or just love a good karaoke night. Singing in a group not only boosts confidence but also helps you develop essential vocal technique in a fun and supportive environment.
I love singing but I don’t read music and often missed my beat. Since I joined the choir, I became much better and hardly miss any beats now.
Unlike solo singing, choirs allow you to blend your voice with others, learning how to harmonize and stay in tune – skills that translate well to karaoke or any casual singalong. Many choirs even incorporate elements of singing lessons, offering tips on breath control, pitch, and posture. Best of all, you’re learning and growing as a singer while having fun and making music with others – proving that bringing voices together can be both educational and enjoyable!
10 – Give back to community
Joining a choir is a powerful and fulfilling way to give back to your community. When you’re singing in a community hall or local library, your voice becomes a tool for connection and support. Choir members often volunteer their time and energy not just to rehearse and perform, but also to uplift others through music at public events, fundraisers, and services. These performances can bring joy, comfort, and a sense of unity to the audience.
Julie has been a member of With One Voice Geelong for many years, and enjoys the opportunity to give back to her local community. For example, she’s used some of our old t-shirts to create knee rugs for choir members who use mobility aids. She also offers to repair clothing for her fellow members, free of charge!
Beyond the music itself, being part of a choir is an opportunity to share skills and build lasting relationships. Whether you’re handling the choir’s administration or planning a performance, your contribution is an act of giving back. Choirs often serve as pillars in their neighborhoods, drawing people together from different backgrounds to celebrate shared values and experiences. In this way, joining a choir is not just about singing – it’s about creating harmony in your community in every sense.
So what are you waiting for? Find a choir near you and try a choir. With One Voice choirs are always welcoming new people, no auditions or experience is required. You never know what benefits you might find!
