These days the CajaCanarias Foundation is presenting the 5th Festival of Music and Dance Schools, which includes the “Carmen Rosa Zamora” Adult Choir, of which I have the honor of being a part for almost a decade. On May 14 and 21, 2022, more than eight hundred students will perform in the Cultural Space of the entity, representing these different Municipal Schools of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. With such an excellent initiative, an enclave is offered to actively participate in the event that involves attending a family concert with the students as the protagonist. It is also two days of coexistence in which to share experiences under the common sign of music in its different forms of expression.
And it is that, focusing on the activity of singing in a group, there are numerous studies that describe it as very healthy, both from a physical and emotional point of view. By increasing the levels of cortisol and oxytocin through her exercise, she becomes effective against stress and depression and, given that she generates endorphins, her development also leads to a highly pleasant sensation. To this must be added the benefit associated with breathing control, which increases aerobic capacity and tones the muscles that surround the diaphragm. The sum of certain aspects such as order, discipline, following guidelines, tuning, concentration, exercising memory and love of harmony make collective singing, according to some scientists, a kind of “neural gymnastics”. ”.
More important, if possible, is the rewarding and enriching background of communication, cooperation and cohesion that is created between the members of the groups, often made up of men and women of all ages and conditions, belonging to different generations and with different degrees of musical training. (even without it). It is worth highlighting the fundamental characteristic that in a choir no one stands out, since the voices join forces for a common result. The ultimate goal is to achieve a beautiful result to share it generously, first among ourselves and then among families, friends and the rest of society, regardless of exclusive or solemn settings.
As an anecdotal fact, hours after our first public choral performance last Saturday, after the harsh period of the pandemic that we have gone through and that has influenced our rehearsals and performances so much, an article came into our hands in which, with the revealing title “Singing in a choir, a weapon of beauty”, it was confirmed that “singing in a choir generates a community of affection and support, both among its members and in the community in which it is inserted”. I could not agree more and, of course, I attest to it. I fully identify with the idea that this practice constitutes an inspiring experience and a powerful element of personal and community transformation, and that music is of interest not only on a particular level but, very especially, for what it involves in its social aspect, being capable of to generate common codes and networks of affection and support that are absolutely essential to sustain life.
I have verified it directly during our visits to residences for the Elderly, with an adorable public that, sometimes from their wheelchairs and with lost looks, recovered their smile and movement to the rhythm of songs that they recognized and that brought them back to happy times when they also sang and danced. That careful selection of ancient and modern themes, in any case eternal, make up that large repertoire that for those responsible and components of the Carmen Rosa Zamora Choir is revealed as synonymous with joy and harmony. There is a reason why it is said that the human voice is the instrument of emotion. And the heart knows it.
