I preached about the power of music last Sunday, and had fun leading you in singing “if you’re happy and you know it, sing a song!” and “if your neighbor sings badly, that’s ok!” I truly believe making music is an important part of being human. I wanted to share a number of things I learned and read about while preparing for that worship service.
Here you are:

Singing Changes Your Brain
Time
August 16, 2013
By Stacy Horn

Group singing has been scientifically proven to lower stress, relieve anxiety, and elevate endorphins.

Can anyone learn to sing?
Institute for Vocal Advancement

Can anyone learn to sing? The answer is, yes! Not everyone will be a Pavarotti, of course, but everyone can learn to sing better than they presently do.

Never tell someone they can’t sing
From the Front of the Choir
March 17, 2014
Chris Rowbury

Teachers and parents have an enormous responsibility since young children are so impressionable and take seriously any criticism levelled at them. When a young child is told then can’t sing, they believe that it must be true and simply stop trying to sing from then onwards.

Relieve Your Anxiety by Singing It
The Atlantic
April 13, 2016
By Olga Khazan

Some therapists are using Songify, a music app, to have patients make recordings of their worried thoughts—and get rid of them.