AD.16 Remote Communion

Remote Communion (2020)

19’00”

Introduction

As a child I loved singing in the bath. Singing may be a bit of an exaggeration – what I loved was finding the nodal point of the room and exiting it and listening to it resonate. Now, at a time when Covid-19 has stopped us from singing together, I invite you to sing for 19 minutes in your bath with a virtual choir via your smartphone. 21 friends from around the world each provided me with two sung notes, recorded in their own bathroom. I have extended these to form long harmonic pads over which you are invited to improvise your own songs and melodies, tuning in and out at will.

The science

Singing is good for you! Singing has been demonstrated to improve mental health and wellbeing. Singing not only lowers cortisol and relieves stress and tension, but studies have also shown that when people sing, endorphins and oxytocin are released by the brain which reduces anxiety levels. Oxytocin also enhances feelings of togetherness which explains reports that singing also improves depression and feelings of loneliness. Singing also has a physiological effect on the body. Immediately after singing, studies have shown that singers have higher levels of the protein immunoglobulin A, an antibody known to benefit the immune function of mucous membranes. Studies have also shown that singing can help people suffering from long-term chronic pain and can have a real impact on the amount of pain relief medication used by participants.

Instructions

Place the phone in a convex kitchen or fruit bowl to aid amplification. It may be necessary to steady the bowl with a cloth as in the pictures below.

Action

To sing along with the 19m audio in your bath and relax.

Vocalists

Lyn Adkins, Terry Adkins, Victoria Allen, Girilal Baars, Franc Chamberlain, Matt Conroy, Nomi Epstein, Epa Fassianos, Sam Hodgson, Dina Ipavic, Sebastien Lavoie, Bea Harrison-Ledger, Kate Harrison-Ledger, Calle Francisco López, Rob Mackay, Adam Melzer, Rachel E. Mann, Garret Scally, Jennifer Taggart, tawlijim, Carrie Williams.