Why do people sing together? From Babylonian hymns to contemporary choirs: how group singing shapes culture, ritual and community.
Earlier this year, news circulated about a remarkable discovery: a Babylonian hymn, believed to be around 3,000 years old, was translated with the help of artificial intelligence. This hymn, a song of praise for the city of Babylon, contains no fewer than 250 lines, and researchers suspect it was once a very popular text. Singing communities are nothing new, but this clay tablet once again raises the question: why do people sing together? What is the deeper meaning of singing together? And why does it feel so powerful?
Singing: an Ancient Group Activity
Singing is one of the oldest forms of human expression. As we discussed earlier in our article on a cappella singing, making music and communicating through song likely predates spoken language. Before we learned to speak, we used sounds, rhythm, and gestures to convey ideas. Anthropologists believe that group singing contributed to social cohesion and safety in early human societies. Many ancient cultures—for example, in Mesopotamia, Africa, and Polynesia—were deeply rooted in religion and used chants to honor the gods and nature together.
In his book The Singing Neanderthals, archaeologist Steven Mithen argues that music may have emerged as a form of communication that preceded language, allowing people to soothe one another and feel connected. Singing together helps regulate emotions, align group behavior, and pass on collective stories. The recently rediscovered Babylonian hymn shows that this practice is thousands of years old. It is a song of praise that celebrates the city’s walls, its vibrant society, and the Euphrates River as a source of life:
“The Euphrates is her river — created by the wise lord Nudimmud —
It quenches the land’s thirst, soaks the reeds,
And pours its waters into lagoon and sea…
Flocks and herds rest on green pastures,
Wealth and splendor — what belongs to humankind —
Are granted, multiplied, and royally bestowed.”
Ritual Singing as a Bridge Between Humanity and the Divine
In nearly all religions and spiritual traditions, sung texts play a central role. From Gregorian chant in medieval monasteries to Hasidic nigunim, Islamic dhikr, Hindu Vedic hymns, and African ceremonial songs, music serves as a bridge between the earthly and the divine.
One often-cited reason for this is that singing intensifies and gives form to the experience of shared ritual. The collective breathing, the repetition of motifs, the sustained sound—all of it creates a timeless moment in which the community moves as one. We notice this same powerful sense of connection in our own concerts, whether it’s Stabat Mater, the Passions, or the Psalms. Even in a secular setting, the effect can be deeply moving.
Group Singing as Social Glue
What actually happens in your body when you sing with others? Research shows that singing together boosts the production of oxytocin, often called the ‘love hormone,’ which fosters connection and lowers stress hormones like cortisol. Your heartbeat synchronizes with those around you, and your voice naturally seeks to blend in. It also requires listening closely and tuning in to the group’s singing. It’s no wonder that a strong sense of community arises during group singing and that it promotes social cohesion. Whether it’s a classical choir, a football stadium, a protest march, or a birthday song, group singing creates connection and identity. You become part of something bigger. In times of crisis, mourning, or joy, people turn to the collective voice. This is an age-old human reflex.
Marijke van der Harst, soprano with Cappella Amsterdam, perfectly captures the magic of singing together: “Forming one instrument with multiple people is, for me, the ultimate form of making music.” For Marijke, it’s not only artistically fulfilling but also balancing: “Physical and/or mental imbalance often disappears after just one rehearsal,” she says.
One of our donors also speaks of this unity: “Years ago, I heard a concert by Cappella Amsterdam at the Muziekgebouw aan het IJ in Amsterdam. What struck me most was one of my ideals of choral singing: the seamless blending of the different voices so that no individual singer or section stands out, creating a sound that is greater than the sum of its parts. From my experience as an amateur singer in both large and small groups, I know this ideal is not always easy to achieve. That evening, that ideal made me decide to support Cappella Amsterdam — it couldn’t be lost!”
Van oerzang tot Cappella Amsterdam
Today, singing together seems to be gaining popularity once again. More and more singing circles, kirtan evenings, and other community projects focused on singing are emerging. Choirs are also experiencing a revival. Choir Network Netherlands has seen a steady increase in the number of singers affiliated with its member choirs, just like last year. “It appears that singing together is becoming more popular again, across various genres and regions,” says chairman Ruut te Velthuis.
Cappella Amsterdam is committed to continuing this tradition, with respect for the past and an eye on the future. We sing because it makes us human, because it keeps stories alive, and quite simply, because it feels good to do it together.
Perhaps people enjoy singing together because it reminds us that we are not alone—that we can listen, breathe, and resonate on the same tone. A piece of music may pass quickly, but the feeling of connection it creates lingers. Singing together connects us, from the oldest hymns to today’s choral music.
Discover the power of group singing in our concerts or listen to one of our albums.
