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Finding Connection Through Singing

Singing Together: How Community Choirs Support Mental Health and Wellbeing Singing with other people brings together breath, sound and attention in a shared space. For many, it offers a way to slow down, feel more present and reconnect with others, without pressure to perform or get things right. In this episode of The Choice Space Podcast, Dr Lee David – GP and CBT therapist – speaks with Glen Harvey, musician and long-standing choir leader with Rock Choir, about how singing together can support mental health and emotional wellbeing in practical, everyday ways. Drawing on over 16 years of experience leading community choirs, Glen shares what he has observed about the impact of group singing on stress, confidence and connection. They explore how singing supports the body as well as the mind, through breath control, posture and gentle movement, and how it can help people feel more settled and grounded without needing to analyse or fix anything. The conversation also looks at why community choirs often feel inclusive and welcoming, bringing together people from very different backgrounds. Glen and Lee discuss common concerns that can hold people back from singing, such as self-criticism or fear of judgement, and how group singing naturally shifts attention away from performance and towards shared experience. Alongside this, the episode explores music as a way of processing emotion, quietening a busy mind and creating moments of connection that don’t rely on words. A short Choice Pause invites listeners to experience how sound and breath can help settle the nervous system in the moment. This is a gentle, grounded conversation about singing as a shared human activity – one that supports wellbeing, belonging and learning at any stage of life. Key moments / timestamps 00:00 Singing together and shared experience 02:08 Glen Harvey’s journey into choir leading 03:49 Why singing in a group feels different 05:16 Singing, stress and the role of breath 08:04 Posture, breathing and confidence 10:22 Self-criticism, fear and joining a choir 13:10 Letting go of perfection in performance 18:40 The Choice Pause – settling with sound 22:13 Attention, anxiety and staying present 26:03 Music and a busy mind 27:00 Why people come to community choirs 29:37 Inclusivity, kindness and feeling safe in groups 33:21 A simple music-based wellbeing takeaway About the guest Glen Harvey is a musician and choir leader with over 16 years’ experience leading Rock Choir communities across Hampshire, Berkshire and Northern Ireland. He is a trained vocalist, pianist and guitarist, and has performed at venues including Abbey Road Studios and Wembley. Glen is passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming spaces where people can connect through singing. Connect with Glen: Instagram @glenharveymusic Find Rock Choir near you: https://rockchoir.com/ About the Podcast The Choice Space is a podcast about wellbeing, mental health and the small choices that shape how we live. Hosted by Dr Lee David, each episode offers thoughtful conversations and practical pauses to help you slow down, reflect and find your own way forward. If this episode is helpful, please like, subscribe and share – and explore the channel for more conversations on mental health, wellbeing and everyday support.