Retirement communities are discovering the joys of singing in later life. JANE SLADE seeks out the best retirement properties catering to musical residents
“Singing bonds people together, exercises a range of muscles and makes you feel happy,” declares TV choir master Gareth Malone.
“Singing is good for your health,” he says. “It lifts the spirits and you can do it for free.” No wonder then that so many older people are finding harmony in retirement and forming choirs.
A shared love of singing has brought people together across five retirement developments in Dorset to form the Churchill Millstream Choir.
Ali Sharpe (pictured above), a choir master and voice coach for 30 years lives at Churchill Retirement’s Dean Lodge development in Southbourne, where she keeps her grand piano in her two-bed apartment.
“Churchill approached me to see if we could get a choir going with people from a few different Lodges in the area,” she said. “Singing is so good for you and it’s a chance for people to socialise whilst enjoying a hobby.
“For many this is the first time they have sung in a choir since school,” adds Ali. “Singing improves confidence, breathing and posture and encourages you to stand up and find your voice. The voice is another muscle that you will lose if you don’t use.
“I also give out sheets for a maintenance regime and how to improve muscle function.” (www.churchillretirement.co.uk)
Some retirement communities actively encourage music and singing. Zara Ross, CEO of Lynwood Village, a purpose-built community for the over 65s in Sunninghill in Berkshire says:
“Music has a wonderful way of creating opportunities for people to meet, socialise and even perform together so it’s an important part of community life here at Lynwood.
Lynwood’s choir gives regular concerts and is currently rehearsing its Christmas repertoire. The purpose-built village has a restaurant, coffee shop, health and fitness centre and landscaped gardens. It also has a dedicated therapy centre. (www.lynwoodvillage.co.uk)
Retirement villages with communal spaces where choirs can rehearse make it easier for singing and music groups to flourish as Nick Sanderson, CEO of www.audleyretirement.co.uk , which has just launched its 10th village, St George’s Place in Edgbaston, recognises.
“It’s well-known that music can have a multitude of both psychological and physical benefits,” he says. “Furthermore, recent research by ILC-UK found that living alongside like-minded people in retirement can play a key role in combatting social isolation, so it’s fantastic that owners have this opportunity on their doorsteps.”
