Why Singing at Work Works: The key to a happier, more connected workplace
- Mar 20
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Singing together is a simple, evidence-proven way to boost connection, wellbeing, improve productivity, and foster more connected relationships.
Yet, very few organisations leverage its positive effects in workplace settings. Singing might be seen as 'too artsy', time consuming or embarrassing.
Your workplace might favour a team-building webinar on time management, but here's why you should consider giving singing in the workplace a go:
Singing gets your team thinking and focusing...rather quickly
When you sing, your parasympathetic nervous system (the one responsible for 'rest and digest' states) begins to take over.
But don't worry - you won't fall asleep, because singing requires focused listening, reading and identifying aural and body language cues in the people around you.
Because of this, singing together as a team allows members to listen and communicate in both verbal and non-verbal ways, building capacity for nuanced listening skills and greater cohesion.
We consistently see high levels of team cohesion time and time again in vocal ensembles, choir members and communities where singing is common practice; benefits are easily transferrable in workplace settings.
Singing helps your team to stress less leading to a happier workplace
When you sing your favourite songs, your breathing and heart rate slows to a rhythm, while maintaining alertness.
This combination of relaxed alertness and rhythmic breathing increases the capacity for the brain to fluctuate between alpha and beta brainwave states: the well known flowstate.
Flowstate refers to that great feeling when you're 'in the zone', and mentally locked in on a task. You feel efficient, productive and time passes. Being in an alpha brainwave state is to be in a state of cool, calm and collectedness, while beta refers to high-level thinking (it's good to note that too much of a beta state, known as high beta leads to stress).
Singing brings you somewhere in between: a happy medium required for joyful work.
Singing also increases serotonin and dopamine—neurotransmitters that provide a burst of energy and joy, enhancing overall wellbeing and focused attention.
Singing together fosters your team's connection and like-mindedness
Singing releases endorphins and oxytocin, a neurotransmitter that increases bonding and a sense of belonging. This is largely why it feels instinctive to sing to a newborn, or burst into Happy Birthday together. Or, if you're a football fan, why stadiums of staunch punters soften into a roaring crowd rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.
Singing together builds a capacity for like-mindedness that transcends, or even embraces, personal differences.
Singing builds capacity for out-of-the-box, creative thinking
Music activities are known to enhance cognitive flexibility, as it it activates different areas of the brain. Singing and engaging in music paves the neural networks that enhance problem-solving skills, and innovative thinking, building capacity for more effective "out of the box" solutions in the workplace.
Singing is also an inherently creative task.
In a singing group, members are required to consider different song and music elements, improvise, and to listen for what works (or what doesn't) and make decisions together.
Singing repeatedly improves resilience and confidence
For many people, the act of singing in front of others, especially in a professional or workplace setting, can feel deeply exposing.
To sing together as a team calls on individuals to navigate discomfort, to be seen and heard in an unfamiliar way, and to engage with the often-intimidating experience of self-expression.
Within the professional music world, performance is routine. While nerves are still present, they are reframed as part of the process.
Over time, repeated exposure to singing in front of others cultivates confident communication, emotional resilience, and the ability to remain present under pressure: skills long-term singers often display, and ones that are invaluable in any workplace.
Backed by science and grounded in care, encouraging your team to sing might just be the most unexpected key to a more happier, engaged, and resilient workplace.
Curious about bringing this experience to your team?
At Sydney Voice Studio, we offer tailored workshops for organisations ready to try something a little different...and a lot more human.
For organisations looking to harness the power of singing to strengthen workplace culture, we offer specialised voice development and group singing workshops tailored specifically for teams.
These sessions are designed to:
Boost team confidence, communication, and connection through shared vocal experiences
Encourage collaboration and camaraderie in a creative, low-pressure setting
Reduce stress and support wellbeing through singing together
Foster creativity and innovation by gently challenging comfort zones, without any performance pressure
If relevant, workshops can integrate singing in different languages
Encourage workplaces to integrate a "lunchtime choir", including tools and resources to help support teams to start and maintain singing as a long-term initiative.
All workshops are delivered with psychosocial safety at their core.
There are no solos, no high-stress performance elements, and no inappropriate material—just accessible, inclusive activities that help people connect in new ways. Best of all, no experience in singing or music is necessary.
One-Off Workshops or Long-term Initiatives
Whether you're seeking a one-off team workshop or a regular wellbeing initiative, our workplace singing programs can transform your team's energy, cohesion, and confidence.
For more information, visit:
Or contact our studio director directly:
Dr. Veronica Stewart
(02) 9745 4008
Comentários