How World Singing Day began

How World Singing Day began

By Scott Johnson

Ever since I started writing songs as a teenager, music has always been my way of getting in touch with that joyful part of myself. In a way, World Singing Day is an extension of that desire that we all have to connect with the joyful part of ourselves, and to each other. And given the state of the world these days, I think we’re all longing to experience more joy in our lives.

A lot of the music I write has universal, life affirming messages, from themes like creating one’s own unique path in life, to celebrating life’s passages, from birth to death. And World Singing Day is really a universal celebration of what we all share as human beings, expressed through the international language of music.

I first had the idea in 2011 of starting some sort of day of singing, which quickly evolved into a global singing celebration, where everyone around the world – not just experienced singers and musicians – would be invited to participate.

How World Singing Day began

TV shows like The Voice are fun to watch, but these singing competitions shine a spotlight on only the most gifted, talented singers in the world. It’s easy to feel self-conscious about your own singing compared to these singers. We’ve gotten so far removed from the social cohesion that was created by our ancient ancestors who used to sing together around the fire.

So I wanted to create a safe and welcoming experience that was fun and joyful, to build a sense of community in cities around the world, using something most everyone can do. Like singing.

My vision for World Singing Day is to have millions of people in countries around the globe gather in their communities each year and sing together – and to experience joy that so many of us long for.

Virtual Singing Options for 2020

Virtual Singing Options for 2020

Singing has not been cancelled!

We’re not letting a global pandemic stop us from singing on (and before) World Singing Day.

Here are links to several things you and your family and friends can do on, or before, World Singing Day (Oct. 17, 2020):

1. Around the World in 80 Songs video project

2. “To me, a wonderful world looks like…”

3. Sing It Forward
Share short videos on social media and tag friends, challenging them to do the same and “sing it forward” on WSD.

4. WSD Song of the Year videos

5. WSD Theme Song “Till the Whole World Sings” videos

Sing-along at home

Sing-along at home

Confined to your home during the Covid-19 quarantine?

Don’t let that stop you from singing with others.

You’ve probably seen videos of people standing on their balconies singing together in Italy. This simple act of singing together can unite us as we face uncertainty during this challenging time.  

Here are a few places online for you to stay safe and keep singing together.

Heard about another place to sing together on-line? Email us at music@worldsingingday.org

Online virtual community sing-alongs:

Choir! Choir! Choir! (March 17 at 8 pm Eastern)

Jake Runestad (March 17 at 8 pm Eastern)

Michael Franti

Pub Choir 

Sister Cities Choir

Joy Crew Community Singers

Sing for Joy 

2019 Song of the Year

2019 Song of the Year

Each year we choose a World Singing Day Song of the Year that we invite people around the world to sing at their WSD sing-along event. This year we wanted to pick a song that was joyful, well-known, easy to sing along to, and irresistible to dance to. This year’s Song of the Year is “Twist and Shout.”

We invite you to sing along to The Beatles version, or at least sing it in the same tempo and key (D).

 For more details on this year’s Song of the Year and how to submit your video, click here.

Our new website – it sings!

Our new website – it sings!

We’re happy to announce the new World Singing Day website, designed to be easier to use, quicker to navigate, and more helpful for those planning to sing on World Singing Day.

With a clean, simplified interface that works smoothly on mobile devices and desktops, the new World Singing Day website makes it easy for you to decide how you would like to participate in this global sing-along, held annually on the third Saturday in October.

We have downloadable toolkits for people wanting to organize their own sing-along party in their home with family and friends, or a larger public sing-along for your whole city. There are resources and lesson plans for educators, videos for inspiration, and all you need to participate this year.

We invite you to explore our new site and get inspired to join us in singing together with the world.

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