We all know that activities such as yoga, meditation, running and playing a team sport are good for your mind and body, but did you know joining a choir also benefits your health?
According to recent studies, singing in a choir improves mental health, helps fight lung disease and cancer, boosts the immune system, helps develop self-esteem and confidence and exercises the brain. What’s more, group singing breaks the ice and helps build amazing social bonds particularly in a society where many of our social interactions are done via Facebook and Twitter.
Group singing is set to be the next big health trend and leading the trend is the Adult Glee Club. Inspired by the hit TV show, Glee, this community choir for adults started in 2012 in Sydney’s Inner West and is about to launch in St Kilda, Melbourne. The aim was to revolutionise what it meant to join a local choir by introducing well-known mainstream music into the repertoire, mixed with special performances at cool live music venues, versus the stuffy old church or community hall. Open Mic nights, Glee Goes Solo Nights and End of Year Concerts with full band, lighting and stage production contribute to the overall Adult Glee Club performance experiences. The venues used would generally see these so-called Gleeks attend as patrons but to perform there has taken community choir to a whole new level.
As a result, the Adult Glee Club proved to be a success among its members. After spending the last four years fine-tuning the concept, founder Sandra Lie thinks it’s time to make group singing and joining community choirs the next big thing, especially as places like the UK have taken to the rising trend with 2.8 million Brits being part of a choir.
“The Adult Glee Club is more than a choir. It’s a diverse group of people that contribute to the fresh, modern vibe that is unlike any other community choir. And each Glee Club in each location is unique. All people need is a willingness to try. Whether you’ve been part of a choir or vocal group before, you’re an ex-pro performer, solo singer, karaoke champ or shower singer, the Adult Glee Club caters for all. We love the reasons why people join, but most of all we love how their lives are transformed and enriched by being part of Glee,” says founder Sandra Lie.
With plans to expand nationally, the Adult Glee Club concept is set to become the latest sensation for various community areas throughout Australia. A presence in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne CBD has already commenced with more clubs being set up in the inner cities, suburbs and regional parts of Australia.
Wednesday 13 July will see the Melbourne Adult Glee Club being launched in St Kilda and from Wednesday 20 July in Melbourne CBD. Under the direction of Darina Chakarova (semi-finalist of Bulgaria’s Got Talent) the St Kilda based Glee Club will be held every Wednesday at Betty Day Community Centre, 7:00 – 8:00pm and is hopeful of the popularity it will gain from the community.
For more details, including current locations and upcoming launches, visit adultgleeclub.com.au
