Short Courses & Events / Archive

4- Part Course - Singing For Health: An Introduction To Quantitative Methods

Wednesday 1st February 2023, 10:00 AM - Wednesday 22nd February 2023 12:00 PM (London Time)

This event is part of our fundraising series for the Singing for Health Network.

A Singing For Health Network membership is required to attend this course.

This course will introduce central concepts in research design, measurement, sampling, and statistical analysis underpinning quantitative methods in research on singing for health.

We will consider examples of survey methods, observational pre-post studies and controlled trials on singing and health, and the approaches adopted in data gathering and analysis.

Students will be supported in undertaking critical assessments of selected quantitative research studies on singing and health.

We will also work through exercises in the statistical treatment of quantitative data to answer research questions and test hypotheses.

 

Session 1

The nature of singing and a suggested logic model of singing for health. The need critical appraisal of research studies and the role of evidence reviews. Survey methods in singing for health research. An introduction to random sampling and statistical inference.  Primary and secondary qualities. Levels of measurement and the analysis of categorical data using the chi-squared test.

 

Session 2

Singing for mental health. Examination of primary qualitative and quantitative studies. Systematic reviews of research on singing and mental wellbeing. Observational pre-test post-test studies. Use of standardized measures that give ordinal data on mental wellbeing and mental distress. Analysis of ordinal data using non-parametric statistical tests.

 

Session 3

Singing for better breathing.  Examination of primary qualitative and quantitative studies.  Systematic and Cochrane reviews of research on singing and lung disease. Use of objective measures of lung function that give interval/ratio data.  Analysis of objective measurements using parametric tests.

 

Session 4

Randomised controlled trials on singing and health. Critical appraisal of examples singing for health trials. Issues in the standardization of singing programmes and the nature of control groups.  Use of the CONSORT statement and registration of trials. Statistical analysis and interpretation of trial data. Value of embedded qualitative studies within controlled trials.

Professor Stephen Clift

Stephen Clift is Professor Emeritus, Canterbury Christ Church University, and former Director of the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health...

Singing For Health Network

The Singing for Health Network is a UK-based membership network for anyone interested or involved in Singing for Health, including singing practitioners, researchers...

Sorry, this is an archived short course...

We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.

Inspired Sound: Unlocking the Science of Choral Acoustics
Tuesday 16th December 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)

Inspired Sound: Unlocking the Science of Choral Acoustics

Professor Helena Daffern

In this session, Professor Helena Daffern will explore the fascinating science behind choral sound, offering choir singers and directors valuable insights into achieving a cohesive and expressive ensemble, no matter what their standard. The concept of choral blend will be examined —what it is, how it can be cultivated, and the roles of intonation and vibrato will be analysed. The decisions that have to be made around intonation when tuning thirds or dealing with modulations over the course of an a cappella piece will be explained in the context of existing research and different singing styles such as barbershop singing and solo voice ensembles.

Unclenching the Jaw: Options from the Physio Lens
Tuesday 16th December 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Unclenching the Jaw: Options from the Physio Lens

Walt Fritz

“Jaw tension” is one of many potential problems facing the singer, and can cause a direct negative impact on the performance in both direct and indirect ways. The underlying cause of jaw issues is attributed to numerous factors (technique, posture, strength, range of motion, etc.), making it often difficult to identify common denominators. Join Walt Fritz as he examines the evidence supporting stretching, strengthening, and manual therapy interventions to address jaw-related concerns in vocal performers, taking into account their unique needs.

Improving Lyric Italian Diction for Classical Singers
Thursday 18th December 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)

Improving Lyric Italian Diction for Classical Singers

Professor Conroy Cupido

Join Professor Conroy Cupido as he offers an in-depth exploration of the most frequent pronunciation errors made by classical singers in Italian lyric diction. Designed for both emerging and advanced singers, the course provides a structured and practical approach to mastering Italian pronunciation as used in opera, oratorio, and art song.