Standing Strong Together with Starling Arts: Uniting Against Bullying

Standing Strong Together with Starling Arts: Uniting Against Bullying

With Anti-Bullying Week coming up from November 13th to November 17th, many schools and communities will be focussing on anti-bullying efforts. 

Starling Arts run an Anti-Bullying workshop as part of our series of Official Workshops with the West End Musical Wicked, and in the run up to Anti-Bullying week we are sharing some information, tips and advice for dealing with bullying in your school or community. Read on to discover more about the many forms of bullying, who it affects and how you may be able to tackle bullying and offer support to individuals who experience it. 

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Count On Me - Reflecting On A Placement with Starling Arts

Count On Me - Reflecting On A Placement with Starling Arts

Anna and Emily summarise these benefits succinctly when they state: “Music has magical powers to lift your body, mind and soul”. With this objective at heart, the essence of being a Starling Voice is community, where singing is the bridge that unites us all. Starling combines this sense of community with inspiring practices, mouthwatering harmonies, and outstanding performances.

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Introvert Vs Choir: Can I Join a Choir if I'm an Introvert?

Introvert Vs Choir: Can I Join a Choir if I'm an Introvert?

Joining a group setting can feel overwhelming for introverts. Trust me, I know. I'm a choir leader and group facilitator who adores leading the Starling Arts community. But I'm also an introvert who draws much of her energy from being alone. I'm here to tell you that introverts can thrive in a choir setting!

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10 Reasons to Join a Choir Post Lockdown

10 Reasons to Join a Choir Post Lockdown

Have you felt lonely, isolated or in need of a boost? Then you’ll benefit from some of our 10 reasons to join a choir this year! From social connections, to boosted mental health and a sense of achievement, the Starling Voices can offer what you need!

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Joining the Dots - How to Make Friends after a Pandemic

Joining the Dots - How to Make Friends after a Pandemic

The past year has been tough. We've faced months of lockdowns, threats of illness and losses of all kinds. After so much time separated from other people, it feels a little strange to step back into the world of relationships. But for many of us, we are ready to seek out what we've been missing. The answer could lie in singing…

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Covid Safe Choir Life

Covid Safe Choir Life

Nothing can make a rehearsal completely risk-free, but as choir leaders we can take steps to mitigate exposure to Covid 19, and ensure that we don’t cause breakouts and super spreader events! Taking a measured, careful approach will make sure we can get back to doing what we love best!

We explore some of the key elements that we’ve been putting into place for our in-person sessions over the Summer and for our planned return in the Autumn.

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Where Do We Go From Here?

Where Do We Go From Here?

On May 17th 2021, choirs in England were allowed to resume indoor rehearsals. By May 18th 2021, the government had changed their mind, with little clarification about why. Millions of choir members are now waiting in limbo to see if they can get back to singing together in person. The implications of this decision run deep. So, where do we go from here?

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Choir and Mental Health: A Guide for Community Choir Leaders

Choir and Mental Health: A Guide for Community Choir Leaders

Why should choir leaders treat wellbeing and mental health as central elements to their group singing work? We reflect on over ten years of group singing and the lessons we've learnt from our members on how to approach members' wellbeing and mental health safely and effectively.

In over ten years of community singing with Starling Arts, we have witnessed the tremendous impact of singing on individuals and groups, and it has become increasingly important to us that wellbeing and mental health become integral and important considerations to all aspects of our work.

Many individual singers testify that singing has had a beneficial impact on their mental health and wellbeing, so it could be assumed that the benefits come as a natural by-product of the work of choirs. However, from our experience wellbeing and mental health need to be carefully considered and built into the structures and practices of a singing group in order to achieve safe, long-lasting, and powerful effects. Read our post for ideas and suggestions to boost your choir’s wellbeing.

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