Choral singing, health and quality of life: The story of Diana

Objective: To explore through a detailed individual case study the contributions of choir membership and choral singing to health and well-being. Methods: An individual case study of Diana, one member of a Norwegian mixed amateur choir. Data gathered by means of participant observation and interviews and analysed drawing on a theoretical framework developed by Ruud on the links between music-making and well-being. Results: Findings from the analysis illustrate ways in which singing can be a means for developing competency and empowerment, producing vitality, and as a resource for building social networks as well as a way to provide meaning and coherence in life. Conclusions: An understanding of how singing can promote health and wellbeing can be developed through the careful study of individuals.