Community Choir
Our Community Choir meets weekly via Zoom, singing a mix of opera, classical, popular, folk and world music. Come and give it a go!
Breath Cycle
Sing your way to better health
About Breath Cycle workshops
COVID-19 has affected us all in different ways. But if, like many, it has impacted your long-term physical health, we want to help.
Building on a ground breaking project we first developed in 2013, this new online project, developed with support from key NHS consultants, is designed to benefit those suffering from a range of conditions affecting lung health – in particular Long Covid.
According to the Covid Symptom Study App, the condition often described as Long Covid (or Acute Covid) affects up to 1 in 20 people who suffer symptoms for longer than 4 weeks. These persisting symptoms can include a cough, breathlessness and extreme fatigue, issues with memory & concentration (sometimes referred to as brain fog), sleeplessness, joint pain, depression and anxiety.
During a series of relaxed weekly singing sessions, our team of musicians will introduce you to fun, stimulating vocal exercises and breathing techniques, as well as teaching a range of songs chosen to help strengthen your core muscles, develop breath control and improve posture.
Singing is the perfect workout for your heart, lungs - and even your brain! According to the British Lung Foundation, regular singing can have similar benefits to physiotherapy by:
- Teaching you to breathe more slowly and deeply
- Improving your sense of control over your breathing - which in turn reduces anxiety and potential feelings of panic
- Improving posture to help you breathe more efficiently.
Not only that, but joining a group like this can also introduce you to a network of likeminded people facing similar challenges – all in one enjoyable, sociable and rewarding experience!
The Covid Composers Songbook
Always fancied yourself as a songwriter but don’t know where to start? Want your Covid experience to leave a positive legacy? In addition to our singing sessions, you can sign up for our new online song writing workshops led by composer Gareth Williams and performance poet Martin O’Connor. Whatever your musical or lyrical style, they will introduce the tools and methods that you need to get it out of your head, and down on paper. Who knows, maybe you’ll write a masterpiece! See if this parody of Bohemian Rhapsody sparks any bright ideas…
The songs that come out of these workshops, alongside those created by Gareth and Martin themselves, will be arranged and recorded by Scottish Opera to create a free digital resource for individuals, choirs and singing groups worldwide – The Covid Composers Songbook – as a positive musical legacy of the past 18 months.
Register your interest now
Weekly singing sessions:
Wednesdays, 12.30-1.30pm
Song writing sessions:
Fridays, 12.30-1.30pm
These free sessions take place online on Zoom, and are limited to 30 participants.
Supported by Cruach Trust, The Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust, W M Mann Foundation, Souter Charitable Trust and Scottish Opera’s Education Angels
Our Autumn sessions are now fully booked – however, the sessions will be repeated in blocks starting in January and April 2022.
If you would like to register your interest for these sessions, please email Lisa Givens, Senior Producer, on lisa.givens@scottishopera.org.uk.
Exercises On Demand
The following audio and video exercises were originally created in 2013 to help patients with cystic fibrosis, but they can be used by anyone who has breathing difficulties – particularly those suffering from the effects of COVID-19 – or just to give your mental health a boost. Simply follow the instructions below.
You can find out more about the original project on the Breath Cycle website.
The exercises consist of:
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Audio vocal exercises – to work your voice in a gentle way and improve musical ability, pitching and tuning
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Video lessons – to take you through the basics of some classical singing and breathing techniques
You can do the exercises as often or as little as you like – but the more often you can do them, the more benefits you will experience. You don't need any equipment and you can do them wherever you are. The exercises can also be practised alongside any physiotherapy you may be doing.
Vocal exercises
These vocal exercises work your entire vocal range in a gentle way, as well as improving your musical ability, pitching and tuning. Simply listen and repeat. The exercises become more challenging as you move through them, so make sure you take your time on each one.
All exercises written by Gareth Williams.
Exercise 1
This exercise works on holding a single note in one breath. Take a deep breath in and repeat the note you hear from the vocal coach, holding for four beats.
Exercise 2
You will sing two different notes in this exercise sliding from one note to another. You should sing in one breath and feel the two notes are connected as you slide up or down.
Exercise 3
This exercise is great for working on energy and increasing the volume as you sing a repeated note on a 'la' sound. Make sure you keep the tongue relaxed during these exercises.
Exercise 4
You will be singing three different notes in each phrase. Each sequence is different, so listen and repeat carefully. Try to sing each phrase in one breath.
Exercise 5
This exercise is a bit trickier than previous exercises, so take your time when listening to each new sequence. It will improve your tuning and singing at the correct pitch. Try to keep each scale as smooth as possible and breathe when you feel you need to.
Exercise 6
An introduction into learning a new song and singing in harmony. Always repeat the main vocal coach phrases you hear. Once you're used to this song, you could try singing the higher harmony.
Video lessons
These videos take you through the basics of some classical singing techniques. You will work on different aspects, from posture and breathing through to singing songs.
Presented by Vocal Instructor Marie Claire Breen.
01. Introduction and posture
02. Breathing
03. Voice and breath
04. Vocal exercises
05. Singing songs
Useful links
Breath Cycle
The Breath Cycle project originally ran in 2013. Scottish Opera and Gartnavel General Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Service worked together to explore whether learning classical singing techniques, including breath control, can improve the wellbeing of cystic fibrosis patients. Due to the high risk of infection for those with cystic fibrosis, the project also explored how patients might interact safely with each other, using the internet as a means of meeting, learning and building new communities. For more information on the project, please visit the Breath Cycle website.
Your COVID Recovery (NHS)
If you are recovering from COVID-19 – or someone close to you is – you can find lots of useful information and resources on the NHS Your COVID Recovery website.
British Lung Foundation
A UK charity that researches lung conditions and provides guidance and support for those affected by lung conditions and breathing difficulties. Find out more on the British Lung Foundation website.
Opera On Screen
Browse our growing collection of Scottish Opera films, including brand new commissions from contemporary music makers, re-workings of much-loved favourites and staged concert performances.
About Scottish Opera
Scottish Opera was founded by Alexander Gibson in 1962 and inaugurated with a production of Madama Butterfly at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow.