The final report of the pilot research project “singing europe” has been published. Based on two years of exploration of data sources, and through innovative surveys, the report shows that 4,5% of the European population actively participates in collective singing activities. This represents 37 Million collective singers on the European continent, gathered in about 1 million choirs or ensembles.
Collective singing thus proves to be a major cultural activity, providing singers with direct benefits in terms of social integration, health, and cultural development.
With two thirds of the conductors being paid for their work, and all the associated services (premises, concerts, travels, instrumentalists, pedagogy, scores, etc.), collective singing is also creating local added value: most of the money invested by participants and funding authorities is valorised and used locally, or in the frame of European exchanges. In times where a significant part of the added value of the music market is extradited overseas, collective singing contributes positively to the economic