Attending a classical music concert can help reduce audience stress levels, a new study has claimed.
Research from the Royal College of Music’s Centre for Performance Science analysed volunteers at a concert by Eric Whitacre at Union Chapel, taking saliva samples, ECG monitor readings and asking them to complete questionnaire.
The study found that audience members experienced decreases in levels of stress hormones while singing also had a profound biological effect, helping relax performers before these stress levels rose during the concert itself.
Aaron Williamon, professor of Performance Science at Royal College of Music said: ‘This is the first time participation in a cultural event has been shown to have significant psychobiological effects, and the implications are hugely exciting, particularly when taking into account previous research by the Centre for Performance Science which links reduction in stress hormone activity with increases in immune function.
‘This preliminary study provides several new avenues of further investigation of how making and experiencing music can impact on health and wellbeing.’
Composer Eric Whitacre added: ‘Singing is something that many people inherently feel is good for them and relaxes them. But to actually show biologically (and demonstrate scientifically) that it can reduce stress is very exciting.’
The research will be used to fully explore the psychological and biological impact of singing and its potential for improving health and wellbeing.
Research from the Royal College of Music’s Centre for Performance Science analysed volunteers at a concert by Eric Whitacre at Union Chapel, taking saliva samples, ECG monitor readings and asking them to complete questionnaire.
The study found that audience members experienced decreases in levels of stress hormones while singing also had a profound biological effect, helping relax performers before these stress levels rose during the concert itself.
Aaron Williamon, professor of Performance Science at Royal College of Music said: ‘This is the first time participation in a cultural event has been shown to have significant psychobiological effects, and the implications are hugely exciting, particularly when taking into account previous research by the Centre for Performance Science which links reduction in stress hormone activity with increases in immune function.
‘This preliminary study provides several new avenues of further investigation of how making and experiencing music can impact on health and wellbeing.’
Composer Eric Whitacre added: ‘Singing is something that many people inherently feel is good for them and relaxes them. But to actually show biologically (and demonstrate scientifically) that it can reduce stress is very exciting.’
The research will be used to fully explore the psychological and biological impact of singing and its potential for improving health and wellbeing.
