{
  "id": 9749849,
  "title": "Why You Should Join a Choir",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/why-you-should-join-a-choir",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T10:00:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/article/2026/09/25/why-you-should-join-a-choir/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Last year, the narrator couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Despite having a wonderful life, they were plagued by anxiety, disconnection, and vague dread. The narrator didn't often sing, but out of curiosity, they joined a secular community choir known as \"Choir League.\" This choir was open to anyone, regardless of musical ability or background, and held practices that began with a happy hour before moving on to light-hearted rehearsals.\n\nAs the narrator sang an old Appalachian hymn surrounded by hundreds of diverse voices, they experienced a new sensation—one they believed humans had felt for centuries. Singing together has been a part of human history since early times, used for hunting and socializing, as well as oral storytelling. However, this ancient tradition of communal singing saw a significant decline in the last century due to the rise of radio, television, and recordings, with many Americans now experiencing group singing only briefly and sporadically.\n\nIn recent times, choirs have attracted a new wave of singers, particularly during a period marked by political polarization, loneliness, disillusionment, and social aversion. Viral videos showcase one-day choirs composed of strangers gleefully singing popular songs, while singing has proven beneficial for individuals with dementia, and has brought together unhoused individuals in San Diego, creating a sense of community. Dr. Frank Russo, a psychology professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, explains that singing together fosters social cohesion and provides numerous physical benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels, and improving lung health. The World Cup serves as an example of how thousands of people can synchronize their voices, movements, and attention around a shared identity, temporarily behaving like a single coordinated social unit.\n\nThis same phenomenon occurs in various settings, such as religious gatherings, vigils, and protests. Recently, at the height of ICE violence in Minnesota, videos emerged of residents joining in songs of protest. One such choir co-founded by Sarina Partridge began in elementary school, where she noticed that singing transformed nervous children into a community. When Renee Good was killed by ICE, Partridge's toolkit for singing-centered public action was put to use. In moments of fear, singing proved to be a disarming force, bringing people together and fostering human connection.\n\nIn light of recent political turmoil, cost of living, and climate anxiety, more people should consider joining a choir. The 2025 World Happiness Report ranks the United States with its lowest score ever, citing these factors as contributing to widespread dissatisfaction. Despite feeling undeniably bleak, singing offers a respite from uncertainty, stress, and isolation, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles and fears.",
  "summary": "“At this fraught moment when everyone is politically polarized, lonely, disillusioned, and cringe-averse, choirs are attracting a new generation of singers,” writes Elizabeth Endicott.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}