New choir is search for men singers to join them

A new Berkhamsted choir needs male singers.

At 80 per cent female, The Castle Choir is understandably keen to increase its male ranks.

Most choirs in the UK, except deep in the Welsh Valleys, struggle to find their full complement of tenors but Hertfordshire’s men seem to be shyer than most.

Even the lure of free drinks has done nothing to drag the recalcitrant chanteurs from their Sky TV.

It is a sociable group, meeting every Wednesday at 8pm in term time in the centre of Berkhamsted, just two minutes from the train station.

The choir’s musical style ranges from Queen to Bach with a bit of everything in between.

Musical director Jonathan Lee a professional organist and music editor aims to deliver a fun and creative environment for enjoying choral music for any singer who is able to read music and is willing to rehearse around 30 times a year and perform with the group.

If regular trips to the pub with a posse of lady singers were not enough to prise the couch potatoes from their armchairs, perhaps the following news will do the trick.

Recent research has shown that singing together encourages a sense of community and self esteem.

It is also an aerobic activity that increases blood oxygenation and reduces stress levels through the endocrine system.

Apparently, the sound of one’s own voice in harmony with others is said to release endorphins and oxytocin which counteract the effects of stress and give your body sense of wellbeing, lessening feelings of depression and loneliness.

From a physiological viewpoint, one study found that people who sing regularly have lower cortisol levels, indicative of lower stress levels, perhaps due to deeper breathing which draws more oxygen into the blood and improves circulation.

Singing can also tone up the intercostal muscles and diaphragm, improve sleep and aerobic capacity.

One study has even found that it can decrease snoring in men as well as making participants more mentally alert and it is thought to reduce susceptibility to early onset Alzheimers.

The choir will be performing next in Berkhamsted on Sunday, May 10 at 6pm. Watch out for posters around town.

For more information email [email protected]

Visit www.thecastlechoir.com or search ‘The Castle Choir Berkhamsted’ on Facebook.