Choir groups from all over Ireland will gather in Dublin in an attempt to set a world record as the largest ever gathering of Christmas Carol singers.
The event is in aid of Irish charity Cliona’s Foundation, which offers financial support to the parents of critically ill children.
Stars, Choirs and Carols will be made up of more than 500 choirs along with a few celebrity guests. International opera stars, The Celtic tenors will be adding their vocals to the world record attempt, as will Irish music producer and X Factor judge Louis Walsh.
Everyone is welcome
The 500 choirs taking part include everyone from local village church choirs to professional touring choirs. Everyone is welcome.
There have been suggestions that singing as part of a choir is good for you, both in body and mind. Similarly to taking part in sport, group singing releases endorphins in the body which improve your mood and heighten self-confidence. The group mentality of working together to one goal is also crucial in developing trust and lasting friendships.
One of the most famous choristers in music is Brian Eno. He has worked with some of the biggest names including U2, David Bowie and Coldplay over the years. He once wrote an essay on the positive effect that singing in a choir has for people.
Eno said: “I believe that singing is the key to long life, a good figure, a stable temperament, increased intelligence, new friends, super self-confidence, heightened sexual attractiveness and a better sense of humour. There are psychological benefits, too: singing aloud leaves you with a sense of levity and contentedness. That’s one of the great feelings – to stop being ‘me’ for a little while and to become ‘us’.”
’Each individual matters, it’s like a team’
The claims are backed up by two of the choir masters taking part in Stars, Choirs and Carols.
Lisa Hannigan said: “It’s going to be incredible to hear this many voices together. Singing with a group allows people to melt away in the collective sound”
Róisín Savage added: “Each individual matters, it’s like a team. You can’t have a prima donna. That lone striker can’t score the goals themselves, you need support.”
“When you go to rehearsals, you forget about your worries, whatever happened that day. You might have left a stressful day job or a stressful situation at home, and you just focus on singing and have a couple of hours for yourself.”
The world record attempt takes park on 19th December at Croke Park, Dublin. For information about taking part or buying tickets for the event then please click here
To make a donation to Cliona’s Foundation then please click here
