In this episode, we dive into a compelling conversation with Baz Chapman and Celi Barberia from the Sing Up Foundation, where we explore how singing can profoundly impact children’s mental health and well-being. With alarming statistics showing that 50% of mental health issues are established by age 14, what happens when we normalise singing in schools, and how can it provide a support? Tune in to discover how the Sing Up Foundation is creating lasting change through music and what benefits their work is uncovering.
WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?
00:00:00 How Sing Up evolved
00:04:00 The science behind singing and wellness
00:08:30 Sneaking singing into school days
00:14:45 Why some teachers fear singing and how to overcome it
00:16:30 How music can heal emotional scars
00:22:00 Questioning ‘excellence’
00:26:30 The difference between singing for performance and singing for well-being
00:34:30 Connecting with boys and young men
00:45:00 The power of normalising singing in everyday life to build confidence
00:47:00 Inspiring Voices podcast preview
Click for presenter bios
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS
Inspiring Voices – Let’s talk singing research with Professor Graham Welch
The work of Professor Graham Welch
Singing Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.160 Tuning into Trauma: Strategies for Singing Teachers with Lydia Stone
Kit Brown @kitbrownnn
Singing Teachers Talk Ep.71 Singing for Trauma with Emily Foulkes
Singing Teachers Talk Ep.179 From 1 to 40 Choirs and Touring with Gareth Malone – A Chat with Rachel Lynes
The Singing School Handbook: How to Make Your School Sing (Faber Music) by Michelle James
Singing Teachers Talk Ep.155 & Ep.156 – Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios with Dr Shannon Coats P1 & P2
ABOUT THE GUESTS
Baz Chapman is an arts & education consultant, facilitator and programme manager specialising in singing programmes. Prior to going freelance in 2015, his roles included Chorus & Projects Manager for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Programme Director for Sing Up, the National Singing Programme for Primary Schools, and West Midlands Director of Teaching Leaders. Alongside his work with the Sing Up Foundation, Baz is currently Manager of the Singing for Health Network and General Manager of the National Teachers’ Choir. He is also a choral accompanist and arranger.
Celi Barberia has been working in music education for 20 years, through fundraising and policy roles at Youth Music and communications and marketing roles at Sing Up. She has had a lifelong passion for the arts and education. Celi worked on the original advocacy and bid which led to Sing Up’s creation and funding via the Department for Education in 2007 – 2012. With a special interest in communications and content development, Celi established and developed the Sing Up website and was Editor of the Sing Up magazine for nearly a decade. With experience in policy development, programme creation, strategic planning, fundraising, marketing and communications, Celi is now the Joint Head of the Sing Up Foundation, Sing Up’s charitable arm focussed on promoting singing for mental health and wellbeing.
At Sing Up Foundation, we believe in the power of singing to improve health and wellbeing for all. With 50% of mental health problems established by the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 24, we believe it’s critical to focus on prevention with young people. We produce, promote and create opportunities for children and young people to improve their mental health and wellbeing through singing. The benefits of singing, songwriting and voice exploration, especially in groups, are wide-ranging with extensive research supporting the physiological, social, psychological and behavioural benefits.We create a healthier world through song.
Guest Websites: www.singupfoundation.org
Social Media: @singupfoundation
