Dr. Emily AronoffWhy Communal Music-Making Is Essential for Connection, Regulation, and Joy
Inspired by Psalm 96
Recently, I brought my daughters—Talya, Shir, and Libby—into the recording studio to record with me for the first time.
We weren’t just singing. We were echoing each other’s voices, laughing through mistakes, breathing in rhythm, and creating a new song together.
It was silly, sacred, and deeply affirming.
And as we improvised our way through Shir Chadash – A Song That’s New, I felt something in my body that I’ve studied in books for years.
As an educator with a background in child development and Jewish music pedagogy, I’ve long known the neuroscience behind music-making. My world opened up in graduate school when I read This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel Levitin—a book I still recommend to this day.
But in that studio, singing side by side with my daughters, I didn’t just know the research. I lived it.
And that’s why I’m writing this—for you, for your learners, and for anyone who wants to deepen the way we connect through music.
Shir Chadash (A New Song Improv Game) (feat. Talya, Shir & Libby)
What Our Brains Do When We Sing Together
Communal singing isn’t just feel-good—it’s neurobiologically impactful. Here’s what the science shows:
1. We Regulate
Singing in rhythm and harmony activates the vagus nerve, helping calm the nervous system and promote emotional regulation.
2. We Bond
Echoing each other stimulates mirror neurons and releases oxytocin—the “bonding hormone” that builds trust and emotional connection.
3. We Grow
When participants take a creative risk—like making up a melody and sharing it aloud—their brains respond with a boost of motivation and positive emotion.
This kind of musical risk-taking builds confidence, nurtures agency, and helps participants develop their own voice—literally and figuratively.
Even more powerful? When that voice is echoed back, it sends a clear signal:
You are a leader. Your ideas matter. We’re listening.
Why We Need This Now
In a world where so much connection has gone digital, we’ve lost many of the spontaneous music-making rituals that once wove us together—kumsitz circles, campfire songs, bedtime ditties made up on the fly.
These moments weren’t just fun—they were formative.
They shaped our sense of belonging, our willingness to speak up, and our ability to feel safe in shared spaces.
When we create music in real time with others, we model trust, vulnerability, and joy. And I believe reclaiming that is one of the most powerful things we can do as educators, caregivers, and community leaders.
How Shir Chadash Creates Connection, Regulation, and Confidence
Shir Chadash – A Song That’s New is more than a fun echo game. It’s a structured experience that nurtures deep connection and growth—especially when shared with intention. Here’s how:
1. Echoing builds attunement
The heart of the song is musical echo. One person improvises a four-beat phrase, and the group repeats it back.
This simple call-and-response practice invites participants to listen deeply and respond with care. It’s a musical mirror that says:
“I hear you. I’m with you.”
Echoing builds both trust and listening stamina—key ingredients in co-regulation and community-building.
2. Turn-taking fosters leadership and empathy
Each participant who wants to gets a chance to lead. That moment of improvisation might feel tiny—but for a young learner (or a hesitant adult!), it’s a chance to express an idea, take up space, and be celebrated.
There’s never pressure to lead if someone isn’t ready.
Those who do lead get to return to the group and echo someone else’s voice—learning to lead and to follow.
This rhythm of turn-taking models mutual respect, bravery, and shared joy.
3. The structure supports nervous system regulation
The repetition, rhythm, and breathing involved in group singing help calm the nervous system—especially when transitions are rocky or group energy is dysregulated.
Shir Chadash is easy to return to again and again as a mood reset, grounding ritual, or playful invitation into the present moment.
Get the Lead Sheet& Karaoke track
Want to bring Shir Chadash to your classroom, Shabbat circle, or family singalong?
Download Shir Chadash Lead Sheet & Karaoke Track
A Song That’s New inspired by Psalm 96
Whether you’re gathering a group or just playing with your own kiddos at home, this song is here to help you attune, connect, and grow through music.
Final Thought: Awareness Deepens Impact
Here’s what I’ve learned from bridging research and practice:
When we understand how music affects the brain, we become more attuned to when and why it’s working.
And that awareness makes our work more powerful.
Let’s keep learning. Let’s keep singing.
Let’s keep creating Jewish joy, one new song at a time.
