SVT Interviews László Harmat at SUBIC on Choral Singing and Aging
Choral singing slows down aging and strengthens certain cognitive abilities in older adults, according to research conducted at SUBIC. SVT has visited SUBIC and interviewed László Harmat, who has researched how choral singing affects aging.
Singing in a choir as you grow older can slow down the aging of the brain. In a study conducted at SUBIC, László Harmat and Miriam Napadov (among others) examined brain activity and cognitive abilities in participants aged 65–75. They show that areas of the brain associated with memory display increased activation after participants have sung regularly in a choir. Moreover, the effect increases the more choir rehearsals the participants attended.
“Choral singing keeps the brain healthier and slows down aging, and may even help prevent dementia,” László Harmat tells SVT.
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Foto: Per Larsson.
László Harmat is currently associate professor at Linnaeus University and has a collaboration with SUBIC at Stockholm University.
Last updated: 2025-12-22
Source: SUBIC