Why are humans naturally drawn to sing together? And why do we need this now more than ever?
Join us as we explore this deeply human experience.
In Season 11, Episode 1 of This Is A Voice, Dr. Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher kick off the new season with an inspiring deep dive into the transformative power of group singing.
Explore the often-overlooked role of choir leaders as hidden voice teachers and uncover the profound ways communal singing can strengthen social bonds, combat loneliness, and boost mental well-being.
With contributions from special guest choir leaders James Sills (Sofa Singers), Jessa Liversidge, Kerry Green, and Cerys Purser, this episode highlights personal stories and expert insights into how singing together fosters connection and healing. Whether you're a choir leader, a singing enthusiast, or curious about the science behind group singing, this episode is for you.
00:00 Shaping singing without 1-1 training
00:59 Breaking news – Bantam of the Opera
02:52 James Sills on connection in the age of loneliness
04:44 Why participation matters more than applause
07:24 Jessa Liversidge on choir singing and Mental Health
09:43 Singing your way to the green zone
11:49 Kerry Green on the power of group singing for aphasia
14:05 When words are lost, songs remain
15:50 Cerys Purser on bringing an entire town together in music
18:15 Empowering voices through choral leadership
20:38 From isolation to harmony – singing as social health
24:01 The power of group singing to unite and transform
Find more about our guests here:
James Sills
https://james-sills.com @jsillsmusic
The Sofa Singers https://www.thesofasingers.com/
Bantam of the Opera https://www.bbc.co.uk/cityofculture/bradford2025/bantam-of-the-opera/
James interviewed on BBC Radio 3 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0026wsx?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile Starting at 1:18:00
Jessa Liversidge
https://jessaliversidge.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessaliversidge/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/jessaliversidge
Kerry Green
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kerrygreenmusic/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kerrygreenvocals/
Glasshouse https://theglasshouseicm.org/press/five-minutes-with-choir-leader-kerry-green/
Cerys Purser
https://www.facebook.com/people/Cerys-Purser-at-Create-Voice/100085634885190/
https://vocalprocess.co.uk/about-vocal-process/meet-the-team/
Warwick - a Singing Town https://warwicksingingtown.co.uk/
You can find out about our Teacher Accreditation for singing teachers, vocal coaches and choir leaders and start your own journey here
https://vocalprocess.co.uk/teacher-accreditation/
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Click on the link https://vocalprocess.co.uk/learning-lounge/learning-lounge-level-2-deep-dive/
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