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Why We Sing
'A must-read for anyone moved by the power of song' - Lesley Garrett, CBE
Singing has always been there for us, at the root of what it is to be a human being. Through personal anecdote and scientific fact-finding, this book celebrates the way song inspires and heals us, from the cradle to the grave, and in the process does for singing what The Well-Gardened Mind did for nature, and what Why We Eat did for our diets. As a singing therapist, teacher and performer, Julia Hollander is in a unique position to consider singing's importance to our wellbeing, charting its extraordinary influence on all aspects of our spiritual, emotional and physical lives. Why do parents feel compelled to sing to their newborns, and how does it help their development? What is it about song that brings communities together in harmony but also in protest? How come an activity that helps to embed languages and maths formulae can also be used to rehabilitate Long Covid sufferers? And what magic is at work when people who have lost the power to speak are still able to sing? By delving into her own life experiences, and calling on those of her fellow singers, the author seeks to answer these questions, underpinning her findings with the latest scientific research. In so many walks of life, people of all ages and backgrounds are waking up to the joys of singing, its power to give hope and connection in a fragmented world. Song-making is available in an increasingly broad range of social and therapeutic contexts, prescribed by doctors and community services. This book offers explanations for why this should be, and inspiration to anyone who loves to sing.
Singing has always been there for us, at the root of what it is to be a human being. Through personal anecdote and scientific fact-finding, this book celebrates the way song inspires and heals us, from the cradle to the grave, and in the process does for singing what The Well-Gardened Mind did for nature, and what Why We Eat did for our diets. As a singing therapist, teacher and performer, Julia Hollander is in a unique position to consider singing's importance to our wellbeing, charting its extraordinary influence on all aspects of our spiritual, emotional and physical lives. Why do parents feel compelled to sing to their newborns, and how does it help their development? What is it about song that brings communities together in harmony but also in protest? How come an activity that helps to embed languages and maths formulae can also be used to rehabilitate Long Covid sufferers? And what magic is at work when people who have lost the power to speak are still able to sing? By delving into her own life experiences, and calling on those of her fellow singers, the author seeks to answer these questions, underpinning her findings with the latest scientific research. In so many walks of life, people of all ages and backgrounds are waking up to the joys of singing, its power to give hope and connection in a fragmented world. Song-making is available in an increasingly broad range of social and therapeutic contexts, prescribed by doctors and community services. This book offers explanations for why this should be, and inspiration to anyone who loves to sing.
- GenresNonfictionMusic
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2023
23 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 11, 2023
Julia Hollander is a singer, performer, teacher whose passion is singing. This is a personal and professional memoir which is underpinned by singing but ranges well beyond.
The memoir covers Hollander’s earlier life and first forays into singing, but quickly moves to her adult life as a professional and as a mother, documenting occurrences during the recent pandemic to today.
Throughout the book Hollander weaves a wealth of information related to singing: potted history, anthropology, physiology, mental health, social science, and more, most (but not all) of it anchored in the Anglo and European traditions of her background. She is a deft observer of human behaviour and her professional work gives her ample opportunity to illustrate the science in action.
The memoir itself contains some deeply personal experiences which any reader could not help but be moved by, and for particular readers Hollander’s frankness will be validating and empowering.
For the rest of us, there is food for thought in the observations of the benefits singing conveys, which far outweigh the effort, investment (both low) and social reluctance needed to engage.
Limber up, and get singing!
The memoir covers Hollander’s earlier life and first forays into singing, but quickly moves to her adult life as a professional and as a mother, documenting occurrences during the recent pandemic to today.
Throughout the book Hollander weaves a wealth of information related to singing: potted history, anthropology, physiology, mental health, social science, and more, most (but not all) of it anchored in the Anglo and European traditions of her background. She is a deft observer of human behaviour and her professional work gives her ample opportunity to illustrate the science in action.
The memoir itself contains some deeply personal experiences which any reader could not help but be moved by, and for particular readers Hollander’s frankness will be validating and empowering.
For the rest of us, there is food for thought in the observations of the benefits singing conveys, which far outweigh the effort, investment (both low) and social reluctance needed to engage.
Limber up, and get singing!
January 19, 2025
The book was enjoyable enough to start, but I gradually lost interest. Eventually, even the singing element wasn't enough to keep me hooked. My favourite part of the book was gaining insight into the thought process and techniques behind teaching singing and leading a choir. I suppose I wanted more of that material and less memoir. Speaking of which, the cover does include the word 'memoir', but I agree with other reviewers that the title could be misleading.
July 13, 2023
Absolutely incredible. Very easy read. Brings the science into singing in a very approachable way. I think every singer should read this book to fall even more in love with our art.
January 17, 2024
“Why We Sing” is well written from someone with clear expertise in the field. It covers a lot of ground on the value of singing from the author’s personal perspective, which is inspiring to an amateur chorister. The book carries a QR code to a Soundcloud playlist, which is a nice addition to a good read.
Covering many aspects throughout the lifespan, Hollander can only give a broad brush in a book of this length. It is however very much her personal priorities that gets the most attention, so the book fails to live up to its promise; it shows “why I sing” rather than “why we sing”. This is ok, once you know.
Hollander is well-travelled but ultimately Anglo-centric. It’s lazy to equate the strong choral tradition of Wales with choirs in the English industrial areas. Paul Robeson’s links with Welsh miners and the experience of McCarthyism being an obvious example in the area of work.
The area of political singing is given inadequate space when you consider the Clarion movement, which still exists in choirs in the UK. This would be addressed by reference to “Singing for Our Lives” by the Campaign Choirs Writing Collective (HammerOn Press, 2018 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...), which would make a good companion piece for a more comprehensive view of why we sing.
Covering many aspects throughout the lifespan, Hollander can only give a broad brush in a book of this length. It is however very much her personal priorities that gets the most attention, so the book fails to live up to its promise; it shows “why I sing” rather than “why we sing”. This is ok, once you know.
Hollander is well-travelled but ultimately Anglo-centric. It’s lazy to equate the strong choral tradition of Wales with choirs in the English industrial areas. Paul Robeson’s links with Welsh miners and the experience of McCarthyism being an obvious example in the area of work.
The area of political singing is given inadequate space when you consider the Clarion movement, which still exists in choirs in the UK. This would be addressed by reference to “Singing for Our Lives” by the Campaign Choirs Writing Collective (HammerOn Press, 2018 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...), which would make a good companion piece for a more comprehensive view of why we sing.
April 12, 2023
Sadly not what I expected, all a bit technical for me and not the euphoria I expected, but probably great if you are that way inclined
June 12, 2023
52 Book Club: #19 Typographic cover
June 17, 2023
Enjoyed this book! Interesting memoir filled with fascinating research about the unexpected benefits of singing. I feel it could have had a better title to reflect the personal story telling side.
January 25, 2024
Best book!!! Loved it all. So thoughtful and well researched. Amazing for any music educators or any educators. Can’t wait to buy the hard copy and reread it with underlining and notations.
August 26, 2024
Wonderful expansive book on the power of song. Well written and researched. A must read for any keen singers and choralists out there, or anyone who loves music.
November 9, 2025
interesting. too much detail generally. goes on a bit when you've already got the gist.
November 12, 2024
I loved reading this book because it shows that singing is good for everyone, no matter how you feel about your voice. Julia Hollander enables the readers to understand and her writing gives lots of tools and covers many topics like music, science, health, and religion. It also talks about different communities around the world. The book includes personal and touching stories. I highly recommend it to both singers and non-singers. It's a great read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews