Would you like a healthier, less-stressed, higher-performing student? Have them give choir a try. Of course, it’s fun learning new songs and singing with other students. But that’s just the beginning. Research shows that singing boosts the immune system and strengthens the heart. It has nearly the same effect on stress levels and emotional well-being as yoga does. It strengthens the connections in the brain between seeing and hearing, which makes learning easier in all areas. And just like in band, choir students tend to perform better on tests, including the SAT, and learn the value of sustained practice to improve and reach goals. They learn about teamwork and discipline, communication and cooperation. And because music is a constant throughout most of our lives, it provides a fun, healthy outlet that can last a lifetime.  In fact, it can even make that lifetime longer, since singing contributes to brain plasticity, which is a big deal as we age.