Choral Singing And Health PDF Download

Consider the possibility that participation in a choir may influence the production of salivary immunoglobulin A (salivary IgA), an antibody that responds to mucosal viral antigens, and reduce a child's susceptibility to upper respiratory ailments. Consider, also, the possibility that choral singing may promote mindfulness, an awareness of an individual's actions including breathing, serving to deepen concentration and relax the mind. Contemplating these possibilities, how can music educators design curricula to ensure outcomes of choral singing extend beyond the development of musicianship and include the benefits of health?Pre- and post-test samples were centrifuged at 3,000 x gravity for ten minutes and frozen at -80 °C for four weeks. Determination of salivary IgA concentration was made with an Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay kit (ALPCO). Participants' difference scores were calculated by subtracting pre-tests from post-tests. An Analysis of Variance for three independent groups was used to compare the means within and between the groups (p = 0.05). While the statistical analysis did not significantly confirm (p = 0.16) increased concentration of salivary IgA as a direct result of Circle of Sound Voice Education(c) and choral singing, the results do remain compelling and invite further investigation with more participants. Regarding salivary IgA concentration, the mean of Group One (CSVE) 140.62 mug/ml proved substantially higher than Group Two (CS) 73.33 mug/ml. Furthermore, the means of both groups involving choral singing were remarkably higher than the mean of Group Three (Control) 18.84 mug/ml. For this inquiry, 37 children, ages seven through 18, were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Experimental Group One engaged in 15 minutes of Circle of Sound Voice Education(c) (CSVE), a contemplative approach to singing through breathing meditation, martial art movement and vocalization exercises, followed by 30 minutes of choral singing rehearsal. Experimental Group Two, choral singing without Circle of Sound Voice Education (c) (CS), joined Group One (CSVE) for the 30-minute choral singing rehearsal. Group Three (Control) engaged in neither the Circle of Sound Voice Education(c), nor the choral singing rehearsal. All participants collected saliva using a SalivetteRTM, a non-treated cotton saliva collection device, before and after the 45-minute testing period.