The Beech Street Center came alive with song on a recent Tuesday night in December as dozens of people gathered to commune through music.
The event was the first Belmont sing-along, the brainchild of long-time resident Susan Cohen.
“I wanted a chance to offer people time to open their hearts, to be together and connect through music,” Cohen said.
According to Cohen, a longtime Belmont resident, it is a chance to give something back to the town where she has lived for more than 30 years. Tuesday night was the first, others are scheduled for Tuesday nights in January and February.
According to Cohen, the sing-alongs are just that, a chance to get together and sing, regardless of ability. She cites research that indicates singing is more than just pretty noise.
“Psychologists have long marvelled at how people who sing together can develop a powerful sense of social cohesion, even among the most reluctant of vocalists, becoming united in song,” according to a story from the BBC that Cohen provided.
In the BBC piece, Cohen highlighted another passage, arguing that singing as part of a group has been found to promote psychological well-being compared to singing solo.
That unity is essential to Cohen. Her son, Gabriel, died in an accident last year. An accomplished musician himself, she believes holding the events will curate his memory.
“This is an opportunity to do something beautiful and uplifting for Gabriel,” she said.
On Tuesday, Cohen emailed, expressing her surprise at the number of people who had signed up to sing at the Beech Street Center.
“I was surprised to learn that this offering has garnered a bigger response than I was expecting,” Cohen wrote in an email. “Of course, it is weather-dependent how many people will show up, but there are about 34 registered already… I was thinking there might be about 15 or thereabouts.”
The sessions will be held on Tuesday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. in January and February. Lyrics will be provided.
“The only requirement is to just show up,” Cohen said.