Music Builds Communities
A Community project for Newmarket and Area
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“.....bringing people together through music!”
So You Think You Can’t Sing?
- Have you always wanted to sing but thought you were not good enough?
- Would you enjoy singing with others but in a less formal group?
- Would you love to have opportunities to enjoy singing in this area?
Singing for Fun
These are normally held on Wednesday Evenings at 8pm monthly (3rd Wednesday) and have a sing-
If you think you can’t sing, but enjoy doing it, this is for you.
It’s an informal evening with friendly participants and hosts.
We usually meet in the Exning Community Church Hall.
There is parking available and a bus stop nearby.
The program for a typical evening will consist of:
- A series of songs accompanied on instruments (e.g. acoustic guitars of various types)
- Break for refreshments
- More songs
On occasions we may have some songs sung to professional backing tracks
There are no up front or “termly” fees.
We ask for a voluntary donation of £2.50 for each evening you come. (£1 if Under 18 or in full-
MBC Midweek -
Singing together is good for your health…………………………
Group singing has been scientifically proven to lower stress, relieve anxiety, and elevate endorphins.
When you sing, musical vibrations move through you, altering your physical and emotional landscape. Group singing, for those who have done it, is the most exhilarating and transformative of all. It takes something incredibly intimate, a sound that begins inside you, shares it with a roomful of people and it comes back as something even more thrilling.
As the popularity of group singing grows, science has been hard at work trying to explain why it has such a calming yet energizing effect on people. What researchers are beginning to discover is that singing is like an infusion of the perfect tranquilizer, the kind that both soothes your nerves and elevates your spirits.
The elation may come from endorphins, a hormone released by singing, which is associated with feelings of pleasure. Or it might be from oxytocin, another hormone released during singing, which has been found to alleviate anxiety and stress. Oxytocin also enhances feelings of trust and bonding, which may explain why still more studies have found that singing lessens feelings of depression and loneliness. A very recent study even attempts to make the case that “music evolved as a tool of social living,” and that the pleasure that comes from singing together is our evolutionary reward for coming together cooperatively, instead of hiding alone, every cave-
The benefits of singing regularly seem to be cumulative. In one study, singers were found to have lower levels of cortisol, indicating lower stress.
It turns out you don’t even have to be a good singer to reap the rewards. According to one 2005 study, group singing “can produce satisfying and therapeutic sensations even when the sound produced by the vocal instrument is of mediocre quality.” Singing groups vary from casual affairs where no audition is necessary (like Singing for Fun) to serious, committed professional or avocational choirs
Group singing is cheaper than therapy, healthier than drinking, and certainly more fun than working out. It is the one thing in life where feeling better is pretty much guaranteed. Even if you walked into a session exhausted and depressed, by the end of the night you’ll walk out high as a kite on endorphins and good will.
So “Singing for Fun” is not only fun………it’s also good for your health ……
You might like to join the MBC Singing for Fun Facebook Group
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We sometimes choose songs around a theme. So far these have included: |
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Special days |
Christmas |
Valentine |
Fire(work) |
May Day |
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Songs about |
Time |
Transport |
Money |
Weather |
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Girls Names |
Boys Names |
Dance |
Colours |
Animals |
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Flowers |
Body Parts |
Locked Up/Down |
Numbers |
Autumn Colours |
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Shapes |
Happy |
Food |
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Songs from |
Shows |
Movies |
James Bond Films |
Motown |
Grammy Winners |
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Eurovision |
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"Card Countdown" |
King |
Queen |
Jack |
10 to 1 |
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Places: |
USA |
London |
Ireland |
France |
Europe |
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Hits of: |
1950s |
1960s |
1970s |
1980s |
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Artists: |
Beatles |
Queen |
Simon & Garfunkel |
ABBA |
Cliff Richard |
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Rolling Stones |
The Rat Pack |
One Hit Wonders |
Elvis |
Burt Bacharach |
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Artists, groups or composers beginning with letter........ Songs beginning with letter....... . |
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.... and evenings of songs selected by one or more of our regular singers |
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Next Session
October 18, 2023
At 8pm
“Songs by ABBA”
Preliminary List to be selected from (subject to change)
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"Singing for Fun" themes for 2023 |
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20- |
8pm |
"Tour Around UK and Last Night of the Proms" |
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18 Oct 2023 |
8pm |
"Songs by ABBA" |
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15 Nov 2023 |
8pm |
"Songs from the Shows! |
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20 Dec 2023 |
8pm |
" Christmas Special" |
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Cost £2.50 per session £1 for younger people per session (Under 18 or in full time education) |
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One of the special Singing for Fun evenings in September 2023 was “A Tour of the UK, ending with a Last Night of the Proms” (we don’t usually have flags.
Usually the singing is accompanied on acoustic guitars though on some occasions this may be supplemented with other instruments such as flute or keyboard.
