German researchers have concluded that singing is good for your health, and as usual with these summaries of scientific studies I’m left wondering what is truly behind the watered down news report. The research compared levels of immunoglobulin A and cortisol in the blood of choir members after singing the Mozart Requiem and after merely listening to a recording of it. Levels were higher after they had sung the Requiem. The mood of the singers was also improved. But singing involves excellent breathing technique which raises oxygen levels. A better or at least additional control would be to have the singers breathe deeply for the same amount of time as the Requiem and see if they have similar improvements.