Why We Sing: A Celebration of Song

'A must-read for anyone moved by the power of song,' says Lesley Garrett, CBE.

Singing has always been a fundamental part of the human experience, deeply rooted in our very being. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and scientific exploration, this book celebrates the profound ways song inspires and heals us throughout our lives, from infancy to old age. In doing so, it accomplishes for singing what The Well-Gardened Mind did for nature and Why We Eat did for our diets.

As a singing therapist, teacher, and performer, Julia Hollander is uniquely placed to consider singing's vital importance to our well-being, charting its extraordinary influence on every facet of our spiritual, emotional, and physical lives. Why do parents feel compelled to sing to their newborns, and how does this aid their development? What is it about song that brings communities together in harmony, yet also in protest? How can an activity that helps us embed languages and maths formulae also be used to rehabilitate those suffering from Long Covid? And what magic is at work when individuals who have lost the power to speak are still able to sing?

By delving into her own life experiences and drawing on those of her fellow singers, the author seeks to answer these compelling questions, underpinning her findings with the latest scientific research. Across so many walks of life, people of all ages and backgrounds are awakening to the joys of singing, recognising its power to offer hope and connection in an increasingly fragmented world. Song-making is becoming available in an ever-broader range of social and therapeutic contexts, even being prescribed by doctors and community services. This book offers compelling explanations for why this should be, and serves as an inspiration to anyone who loves to sing.