My research on Community Group-Singing Interventions has been published.

I am pleased to announce that my research on singing for wellbeing has recently been published in the Qualitative Health Research journal.

Research suggests that singing in a group is more beneficial for health & wellbeing than singing as an individual.

Abstract

Research into the benefits of community-based group singing, pertaining to positive wellbeing and Quality of Life is lacking. Additionally, no preferred theoretical framework exists for community singing-based interventions. For the present study, six members of a UK community choir were interviewed using a semi-structured interview approach. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed. Analysis produced superordinate themes of: Social Factors with key elements such as social bonds and group identity; Psychological Factors, highlighting self-efficacy, self-identity and positive emotions and Psychological Motivations for Joining the Group, including autonomy, change of life circumstance and seeking a new challenge. The style/method of the group, teaching, music and group leader, were shown to have an influence on perceived benefits of the singing group. A key product of this study beyond the evidenced benefits of group singing is the development of an intervention model that optimises wellbeing outcomes in community singing groups underpinned by psychological theory, findings from the wider literature and the results of this study.

Keywords singing for wellbeing, singing-based interventions, group singing, community choirs, social prescribing, theoretical framework, person-centred social activity model, community health, social groups, social isolation, interpretative phenomenological analysis


Follow my research in the field of music psychology on twitter & Instagram: @the_music_psychologist

Recent publication:“Singing for Wellbeing: Formulating a Model for Community Group Singing Interventions” is now published and can be accessed here

The Annual Singers' Showcase is back!!!

After a 3 year absence the I want 2 sing - Singing Lessons annual Singers’ Showcase is back and will take place on Wednesday 20th July at 7:30pm in Ealing.

The event promises to be our best yet with an Eighties theme for the audience and after-party and the singers presenting songs from 3/4 musical decades.

With solos and special guests, an amazing live band and electric atmosphere, your £12 ticket will get you a bargain of guaranteed fun! And for an extra special deal - you can buy 4 tickets for £45. See above flyer for more details.

To purchase tickets email: natasha@iwant2sing.co.uk

Source: https://www.facebook.com/metimepopchoir

Our best Showcase event ever!

July 2019 saw the annual SINGERS SHOWCASE take place to our biggest audience yet. Around 150 supporters made up of family and friends turned up to cheer the singers on and then share one big party with them at the end! Such a memorable night when I was again so proud of every one of my singing students.

Here’s the rundown in pictures…..

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Big Grins at the Big Sing!

What a fantastic weekend we had at our first ever singing residential - The Big Sing, back in June, the Me-Time Pop Choir are still buzzing from it!

Lead by iwant2sing’s Natasha Andrews Hendry and Nicki Rogers, the weekend saw 2 choirs coming together for a whole weekend of singing and soul exploration! Milton Keynes Women’s choir (see https://www.facebook.com/groups/MkWomensChoir/) and the Me-Time Pop Choir (https://www.facebook.com/metimepopchoir/) quickly bonded over fun and silly challenges, social chill-outs and soaring joint harmonies from our hybrid mass choir.

Being brave became the theme and every single one of the delegates stepped up to it. We can’t wait to run another one - watch this space for the Big Sing 2020. For now, here’s the rundown in music and pictures!

Venue: King’s Park Conference centre, Northampton

Venue: King’s Park Conference centre, Northampton

Day One: Registration

Day One: Registration

The Programme

The Programme

First night nerves, concentration faces!

First night nerves, concentration faces!

Enjoying singing together

Enjoying singing together

One-on-One vocal tips

One-on-One vocal tips

One-on-One vocal tips

One-on-One vocal tips

Team Challenges!

Team Challenges!

Team challenge fun!

Team challenge fun!

Winners!

Winners!

After-hours chill out time

After-hours chill out time

It was one of the hottest days of the year so we sang outside one day!

It was one of the hottest days of the year so we sang outside one day!

Tash & Nicki - the weekend facilitators/leaders

Tash & Nicki - the weekend facilitators/leaders

Lasting friendships built

Lasting friendships built

Video below, ‘Highlights of the Big Sing 2019’ courtesy of Nutun Ahmed.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR FOR THE BIG SING 2020!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR FOR THE BIG SING 2020!

Vocal Workshop Beginners & Intermediate

I'll be running a beginners singing workshop on Sunday 22nd April followed by an Intermediate session on choir, solo singing and performance skills.  

THE DETAILS:

2pm - 3pm = Beginners Vocal Technique, at St Paul's Main Hall, Ridley Avenue (opposite St Paul’s church main entrance), Ealing, W5.  

This workshop is for anyone who is interested in singing and learning a bit of vocal technique in a group setting.  If you’ve never had a singing lesson before but would love to try one this is the workshop for you.  Entry fee to this workshop includes entry to the intermediate workshop, which follows straight after.

3 - 3:30pm Tea, coffee & Biscuits

3pm - 5:30pm = Choir, Solo and Performance Skills, at St Paul's Main Hall, Ridley Avenue. (Arrive 3pm for refreshments and registration.)

This workshop offers some tips on ensemble/choir singing as well as performance skills suitable for a solo singing context as well as a group. If you already took part in the beginners vocal workshop last year, this is the workshop for you.  

Emailnatasha@iwant2sing.co.uk to sign up or you can buy your ticket online below.

Photo by stock_colors/iStock / Getty Images

iwant2sing presents..... Singer's Showcase 2017

Following a break last year I'm excited to announce the annual I want 2 sing - Singer's Showcase will take place on Friday 23rd June 2017.  Several hard-working singing students get to showcase their talent, as well as performances from the marvellous 'Me-Time Pop Choir' and main act, 'Merfy'.

I am sooooo excited about this year's event.  Put Friday 23rd June in the diary to hear some fantastic music and have a great night out. The  Me-Time Pop Choir , plus several debut solo performances from choir members and iwant2sing Singing Students and headlining performance from Singer/Song-Writer Merfy will be wowing the audience, not to mention a live band of top musicians.  

This year's venue will again be the lovely intimate St Paul's Church in Ealing with its fantastic acoustics, completely made-over to create a cool gig setting.

 

St Paul's Church, Ridley Avenue, Ealing, W13 9XW
Friday 23rd June 2017
7:30 - 10:00pm (Doors Open 7pm)
£8 in advance (buy online now) £10 on the door

Tea and coffee refreshments will be served during the interval (£1.50 for a hot drink and cake)
Bring your own Wine and Beer.  
 

For Tickets, go to the events page to buy online or for further enquiries Email natasha@iwant2sing.co.uk
 

Beginners Vocal Workshop

I'll be running a beginners workshop on Saturday 16th July, 10am - 1pm, at St Paul's Main Hall, Ridley Avenue (opposite St Paul’s church main entrance), Ealing, W5.

This workshop is for anyone who is interested in Singing and learning a bit of vocal technique, how to understand and improve the voice & pick up some performance skills too in a group setting.  If you’ve never had a singing lesson before but would love to try one this is the workshop for you.  Emailnatasha@iwant2sing.co.uk to sign up or you can buy your ticket online.

iwant2sing presents…Singer's Showcase 2015

It's that time of year again when some of my hard-working singing students get to Showcase their talent at the annual I want 2 sing - Singing Lessons Singer's Showcase 2015.

By popular demand we are back at the lovely intimate St Paul's Church in Ealing with its fantastic acoustics.

In addition to the soloists we are proud to have the Mum Me-Time Pop Choir & Me-Time Pop Choir with us for their debut performance and there will also be a special guest headlining act. Put it in the diary and tell your friends - it's going to be a fab night of good music.

St Paul's Church, Ridley Avenue, Ealing, W13 9XW
Thursday 16th July 2015
7:30 - 10:00pm
£8 in advance £10 on the door
Refreshments available in interval
(NB: Please note there is no Bar serving alcohol)

For Tickets, Email natasha@iwant2sing.co.uk
Subject: 'iwant2sing showcase tickets 2015' with number of tickets required. After payment you will be emailed confirmation containing a unique serial number, please bring printed or electronic confirmation on the day.

Vocal Masterclass and Evening gig featuring JP Cooper

iwant2sing are proud to present a Vocal Master-class featuring the outstanding vocal talents of JP Cooper followed by an evening LIVE PERFORMANCE from the man himself + Special Guests.

Singers, Musicians, Teachers, Music students, Music Lovers, come along to pick up some tips from one of the best upcoming artists and vocal talents in the UK right now.

I have been privileged enough to be doing some backing singing for JP at some of his live gigs over the past 6 months and was thrilled when he said he would come along to take part in our next big Vocal Workshop day. I will be offering tuition, demos & practical singing help using the songs and voice of the fantastic JP Cooper. And to top it all off you can stick around to see him perform a full set of his own material in the evening following some special guest support-acts. The evening Gig offers a great chance to see JP Cooper live following his tour supporting Angie Stone this month, so if you missed him there, catch him here! The gig is open to the public, even if you are not attending the Vocal Workshop.

This is an event not to be missed. No previous singing experience is necessary and the workshop will largely be a spectators event only involving ‘willing’ volunteers.

There are limited spaces on the Master-class so book now to avoid disappointment. Special price available for Workshop plus Gig.

Where: The Chapel, London School of Theology, Green Lane, Northwood, HA6 2UW 5 min walk from Northwood Tube Station on the Metropolitan Line
When: Saturday 3rd May 2014
Workshop 2:30 - 5:30pm
Gig 7- 10pm
How much: Gig £10
Workshop £15
Gig & Workshop £22

For Tickets, Email natasha@iwant2sing.co.uk Subject: Gig Only, Gig + Masterclass or Masterclass Only with number of tickets required. After payment you will be emailed confirmation containing a unique serial number, please bring printed or electronic confirmation on the day.

NB: Please note you do not have to attend the Vocal Workshop in the afternoon in order to attend the evening performance, it is a public gig.