Group singing with YouTube

Today at The Forum I did something I hadn't done in a long time--2006--I sang with a group. Yes, apparently there are singalongs on YouTube and our activity director gathers a group and we do singalongs. It was quite a variety like Moon River and Yellow Rose of Texas and Take me home, Country Roads. So, I looked it up, because that's what I do, right? I found a 2025 review article on the cognitive benefits of singing.

"Results: Key benefits of singing include improvements in verbal fluency, executive function, and episodic memory. Structural changes such as increased white matter integrity and enhanced auditory–motor integration highlight the potential of singing to stimulate neuroplasticity. Among individuals with dementia, singing fosters episodic memory, mood enhancement, and social connection, while healthy older adults demonstrate improved verbal flexibility and cognitive resilience. However, methodological limitations, such as small sample sizes and cross-sectional designs, preclude definitive conclusions about long-term benefits. Conclusions: Future research should explore the specific neural mechanisms underlying these effects, with an emphasis on longitudinal studies and diverse populations. Tailored, inclusive singing programs could address individual cognitive and physical abilities while fostering sustained engagement and social connection. As a low-cost, scalable intervention, singing holds promise for addressing cognitive and emotional challenges associated with aging, offering an accessible avenue to support healthy aging and enhance quality of life across diverse populations." Brain Sci. 2025 Feb 21;15(3):227.

There is also a choir here as well as three different church services and a Bible study. So, I'll work on that white matter. Another article I looked at suggested that amateur musicians may benefit even more than professional musicians in lowering the brain age (pros have more stress). Well, I sure qualify in the amateur department.