we can all make music

local vocals

What health promoters could do for/with community music-making

Singing and dancing together - the foundation of becoming community

'Research proves' that social activities like singing, dancing, eating and playing together provide the practical experience through which we learn to enjoy being and working with others.

It is now widely recognised that disconnectedness is the primary cause of deteriorating wellbeing in communities. Given Victoria's health promotion priorities, we're sure that community music-making can be an enormously useful strategy to turning this around. Safe and friendly environments in which community members can mingle and collaborate in unthreatening and enjoyable activities are an essential ingredient of rebuilding social wellbeing. There are some simple steps. First:

Recognise, honour and support what's actually going on already

Know what group music-making is happening within your communities (we can help with this) and give it respect. Then, there is a range of

Specific actions that can be taken

Arrange for a demonstration of how sessional singing can work for you (eg, at your local Community Health Centre, Library, Neighbourhood House and/or at conferences and gatherings of health workers)
Subsidise attendance by aspiring leaders (including local community health workers) at our group singing training sessions
Support a 'Sing for Your Life' singing leader position. This person could lead regular sessions of group singing throughout the year at a range of local facilities
Encourage and support workplace singing groups among local health and wellbeing workers
Encourage and support local community development workers to expose themselves and their clients to group music-making experiences
Take note of, and apply the growing body of knowledge concerning the beneficial impacts of group singing on those in aged care as well as many other aspects of health recovery and maintenance.
Make public space freely available for sessional singing (covering costs of public liability insurance, volunteer insurance, promotion etc where possible)
Introduce group singing into the regular procedures of the public meetings you convene
Sponsor community gatherings/celbrations specifically for big sings
Sponsor gatherings of local singing groups for the exchange of repertoire
Encourage participatory sessional singing to become a regular part of publicly-sponsored arts and recreation programs (festivals, entertainment in the park, etc)
Work towards group song and dance becoming integrated into all child-care activities
Sponsor a repertoire CD of local favourites
Promote local group singing opportunities through your local media

And there's help

We (CMV) offer training, advice and connections in all aspects of facilitating the collaborative music-making activities of Victorians. Please give us a call.

Health promotion in Victoria is delivered through 31 Primary Care Partnerships each of which has a Health Promotion Officer whose top three priorities are:

promoting physical activity and active communities
promoting accessible and nutritious food
promoting mental health and wellbeing