No, this is not a reference to the treacly soda-pop commercial that some of you might be old enough to remember. Not to worry—I have no intention of attempting to teach anyone how to sing; I can barely croak out a tune myself. 

Still, there’s a lot of music being heard at this time of year; carolers, crooners and concerts abound. 

Once again, the fine folks at the Sullivan County Government Center have arranged for a month-long series of holiday concerts to entertain the masses this year, and I made my way over there a few times last week to see the kids and hear them ring-ling-a-ling with energetic style, poise and showmanship that’s helping to make the holidays shiny and bright.

While assisting That Dog Named Gidget to slip into her Hanukkah hoodie, (don’t judge!) I recalled an online article about the many benefits of singing, and quickly looked it up before heading out to hear the Benjamin Cosor Elementary School Chorus vocalize about the most famous reindeer of all.

 “Singing boosts confidence,” the informative piece on the Sing Up Foundation’s website explained. “The release of endorphins gives singers a positive feeling and an energy boost. The act of learning a new skill, improving and being part of a group also helps to influence your confidence and self-esteem.”

All of those attributes were displayed in abundance as the young folks impressed me with some lesser known pieces such as “December Nights, December Lights” and “Shiru L’Adonai” before belting out more traditional selections like  “Silent Night” and the ever-popular salute to Rudolph. 

Prior to checking out the Sullivan West Elementary Chorus the following day, I went back to Sing Up’s page.

“Singing helps you believe in yourself. Through the journey of learning a new skill,” it states, “engaging with others and performing (even if it’s just within the confines of the group itself), you begin to believe in yourself more and in your power to succeed, [which has] long-term impacts in other aspects of your life.” 

I snapped some pics and even shot a couple of quick videos, which you can view on one of the River Reporter’s YouTube channels (@copyeditor3875) and on our Facebook page.  Great job, kids! So great.

Feeling fairly festive, Gidget and I returned the very next day and joined parents, friends and families for another fantastic group—the Liberty High School Mixed and Honors Choirs. A little bit older and more experienced, these students upped the ante with more complicated harmonies (“Lullaby of Broadway”), complex rhythms (“42nd Street”), and even some fun choreography. 

The Honors kids’ rendition of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” exemplified why Brenda Lee’s 1962 hit has finally topped the charts this year, knocking Ms. Carey off her self-built (IMHO) pedestal. Sorry, Mariah. I’m just glad that Brenda is still around (she’s 79!) to enjoy the accolades. I also read how singing is cool for high schoolers, taking another peek at the aforementioned website.

“So much is going on in your body and mind when you sing that [teens] are fully focused on it. This allows you to ‘turn off’ your stream of consciousness and live completely in the moment, distracting your mind from negative thoughts, focusing on the sound, the action, the breathing, the feeling and the pleasure of song. Mindfulness has been shown to have many benefits, including reducing stress and increasing focus.” Who knew?

Studies have shown that when people of all ages sing, endorphins and oxytocin are released by the brain which in turn lowers stress and anxiety levels. Oxytocin (a natural hormone produced in the hypothalamus) also enhances feelings of trust and bonding, which explains the reports that singing also improves depression.

There are more schools represented in additional concerts to be heard through the month, and Dan Hust, director of communications for the Sullivan County Government Center, had this to say: “The holiday concerts spread the joy of the season by introducing everyone to the budding talent from all corners of the county. We’re always delighted to host these students,’ Hust said, “and I hope they realize how much happiness they create.”  

In conclusion, the online feature claims that “singing together creates a strong sense of community and social inclusion. Singing with others enhances the possibilities of empathic relationships and generates a positive group identity. Feeling connected to others is not only important in terms of having a social and emotional support system where you feel loved, esteemed and valued, it also encourages healthier behavior patterns and has a positive influence on overall physical health.” Hmmm. 

Next up: “Sullivan Sings!”

For a complete list of upcoming holiday concerts at the government center, go to sullivanny.us/calendar, and to learn more about the Sing Up Foundation, visit www.singupfoundation.org. 

Fun Fact: Before the sugary-sweet soda commercial, the song “I’d Like To Teach the World to Sing” was a pop song that originated in 1971 as “True Love and Apple Pie,” by British hit songwriters Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, and sung by Susan Shirley.