MCCaBlog
See how the Marlow Community Choir at Borlase ticks all the right boxes.
Writing in the introduction to the Marlow Community Choir at Borlase website, Gillian Dibden, Director of Music, comments, "Singing is a very healthy pastime, good for breathing, for building up personal confidence and communication, developing musicianship and sociability."
There's no shortage of coverage about mental agility in the popular press AND there's increasing popularity of such TV programme as The X Factor or Last Choir Standing, but one wonders if the message about linking singing, especially classical choral music, with various ways and means of enhancing mental agility is yet to grab the headlines.
Here then, to start the ball rolling...
Stimulating mental activity
It surely goes without saying that the more active your brain is, the better your memory is likely to become. There are numerous ways of using our mind, making it easier to remember in both the short and long term.
What follows are some bullet points, typical work-outs for the mind, that can be done regularly - daily or weekly.
- A puzzle or crossword or working through a 4-part vocal score;
- Mental arithmetic: music is so mathematical;
- Memorising your lines and vocal part;
- Reading more – include books or articles on the history of music and composers;
- Do some mind-stretching, musical theory exercises
- Stay socially active – join a local choir or choral society;
- Take up a new interest – joining a community choir with no auditions;
- Start an evening course or class - rehearsals include music and vocal training to concert peformance standard;
- Go along with a friend to enjoy a choral concert - and then try it yourself;
- A Community Choir offers opportunities for voluntary and social activities;
- Exercising regularly - each rehearsal kicks off with physical and aerobic activity.
Notice how the bullets for mental stimulation contain 'music', 'singing', 'community', 'choir' or 'choral society'?
With this powerful armoury to help us become and stay mentally alert, we have lots to sing about. Don't let it be our best-kept secret. Singing is for us all.
If you live in or near the area around Marlow in Buckinghamshire, Maidenhead, Old Windsor, Taplow, Cookham, Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, High Wycombe, Stokenchurch and Henley, come and join us, Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00pm in term time, starting with a no obligation 'open house' on 17th September 2008.
