Photo courtesy of Daniel Clarke

When I was 43 years old, I joined my first choir. It meets at a church, but it’s not a church choir – far from it. We don’t wear robes or formal wear, few of us have legitimate training, and the oldest song in our repertoire was popular in the 1960s.

I have nothing against more traditional choirs, but they just aren’t for me. I like to sing, but I can’t read music, and I certainly didn’t have the time or energy to audition for a local group.

So I signed up for a non-audition rock choir, Voices Rock, in Central Park, and I figured I’d try one session and go from there. I had aunts, uncles and cousins who had joined the choir and gave it rave reviews.

I am not religious, but it was almost a spiritual experience for me to hear my voice combining with so many others to make beautiful music at the first rehearsal. It was like singing along in the car, only so much better! There was a big range of vocal experience and ability in the room, but when everyone’s voices blended together, it created magic.

There’s something incredibly special about singing with your neighbors, and especially singing pop, rock and musical theater songs you know and love. I am a busy husband, father, and educator at a local high school. I always have something else I could be doing, but when my choir night comes, even if I have been worn down by the day, I just light up. Once I start singing all my worries melt away and I become one with the choir. My amazing director puts us new singers at ease, and if I forget a word or two, my neighbors are there to pick me up. At the end of each rehearsal there are hugs and, when I can make it, a happy hour!

At the end of the ten-week session, we put on a show in a local venue with a live rock band accompanying us. Our last show in November was high-energy and exhilarating, and on that day I was absolutely a rock star! If it was just me performing or speaking I would have been so nervous to perform in front of a sold-out theater of hundreds of screaming fans. But that night, I went in stress-free. I had trained, I had practiced, but most importantly, I was not alone. If I didn’t sing, the choir would have sounded just as great. But oh, did I sing. I sang my heart out on that stage and smiled ear to ear the entire show. It was one of the most joyous moments of my life. My only regret is that I waited so long to join a choir.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Clarke

I have since learned that research has shown that singing is actually good for us (which any singer I know could tell you!) It helps us make social connections, exercises our brains and lungs, releases tension and increases overall well being.

They say the best time to start anything was 10 years ago, but the second best time is today (well, Feb. 11th for my choir). I think any car or shower singer would love this experience. No audition, no judgment, just love and support with a side of beautiful music. Join a choir, it just might change your life. It sure has changed mine.

Dr. Dan Clarke is a film and yearbook teacher at Northfield High School. He lives in Central Park with his wife Malgosia and their two children.