Catriona Nunn In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic James Sills founded the Sofa Singers, a virtual singing community that brought together thousands of people worldwide to find connection, joy, and support through music. Following our own alumni sing-along, Alumni Voices catches up with James about the profound power of music to foster mental well-being and create a sense of belonging.
“When I look back on my time at the University of York, it’s hard to believe how much my life has changed since then. I spent a year studying for a master’s in Community Music, and while I was only at York for a short time, it profoundly shaped my approach to music and my career. That year was filled with moments of exploration and discovery, broadening my musical horizons in ways I never expected. From playing in the university orchestra and tackling bucket-list pieces like Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 to conducting workshops and making instruments out of vegetables, York was a time of both challenge and inspiration. But the most significant influence came from the understanding that music is not just about performance—it’s about people, communication, and community.
I vividly remember a quote from our course leader, Bruce, who said something that has stayed with me: “Traditional music education sets people up so that the majority will fail, while community music sets it up so that everybody passes and everybody achieves something.” That idea of inclusivity struck a chord with me, and it became the foundation for everything I’ve done since then. My journey has taken me from Liverpool to West Africa, where I continued learning traditional African drumming, and eventually back to the UK, where I’ve dedicated my career to using music as a tool for connection and transformational change.
Fast forward to March 2020. By then, I had established myself as a freelance singing leader, focusing on singing for well-being and community. I had also just published a book, Do Sing: Reclaim Your Voice. Find Your Singing Tribe, which was all about encouraging people to reconnect with their voices, especially those who had stopped singing. But then the pandemic hit, and suddenly, the ability to gather and sing together was taken away. It was a moment of realisation for me: if there was ever a time when we needed to sing, this was it.
The idea for the Sofa Singers came to me as I watched videos of Italians singing from their balconies during their lockdown, which was about two weeks ahead of ours in the UK. It was incredibly inspiring, and I wondered if we could recreate something similar online, inviting people to join from around the world. I had never used Zoom before, but I decided to give it a try. With the support of friends, family, and even Radio 3, which had previously interviewed me about my book, I decided to set up an online singing session. The idea was simple: bring people together to sing, even if we couldn’t hear each other.
On March 17, 2020, we held our first session. I sat on my sofa, guitar in hand, and led a rendition of ‘Stand By Me’. It was a bit like a remote yoga class—everyone was muted, following along as I led the song. Because of Zoom’s limitations, we couldn’t synchronise our voices, but we could see each other, and that visual connection was powerful. To my surprise, we maxed out the Zoom room with 500 participants. After the singing, we had an impromptu open mic, where people shared songs, stories, and poems. When I closed the meeting, I was overwhelmed with a sense of joy and connection that I hadn’t anticipated.
The response was immediate and overwhelming. Within 24 hours, we were featured on BBC News, and suddenly, it felt like we were onto something significant. The demand was so high that “tickets” to the sessions—free, of course—started to disappear in minutes. People were desperate for connection, for something that brought joy, and for a momentary escape from the grim reality of the pandemic.
As the weeks went on, the Sofa Singers became more than just a weekly singing session; it became a community. The songs we chose, like ‘Lean on Me’, ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, and ‘Something Inside So Strong’, resonated with the feelings of solidarity and support that we all needed. The impact of these sessions was profound. We conducted an impact survey, and the results were staggering—75% of participants reported that the sessions helped alleviate feelings of anxiety, and many said it supported their mental health in significant ways.
The stories we’ve heard from participants are incredibly moving. We’ve celebrated births and mourned losses together. We even recorded a song for a community member’s funeral, fulfilling her wish to have a Sofa Singers-style sing-along at her wake. It’s hard to put into words the depth of connection and community that has formed over these virtual sessions.
“Looking back, I can see how my journey from York to West Africa, through music education, and into freelance work all led me to this point. The skills I developed, the experiences I had, and the lessons I learned all came together to make the Sofa Singers what it is today.”
In December 2021, twenty of us were invited to Westminster Abbey by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for a special service celebrating those who supported their communities during COVID-19. Meeting in person for the first time, especially after only knowing each other virtually, was surreal and joyful. But while those in-person moments are special, the Sofa Singers will always be primarily an online community. The accessibility it offers is unparalleled—we have members joining from over 50 countries, and for some, like a former full-time musician who is now bed-bound after a stroke, the Sofa Singers has been a lifeline.
Running a virtual choir hasn’t been without its challenges. Initially, I was apologetic about the fact that participants couldn’t hear each other, especially since one of my great joys has always been harmony singing. But what I initially saw as a limitation turned out to be a strength. Being on mute allowed people to sing out with abandon, without the fear of being judged or heard. It became a bit like singing in the shower or in your car—liberating and joyful.
As time has gone on, the community has deepened. While the weekly numbers aren’t as high as they were at the height of the pandemic, we still have over 300 subscribers, and new people continue to join. The format has remained the same, with a half-hour open mic session that has become a key part of our gatherings. Watching someone pick up a guitar for the first time in years or sing a song they’ve never shared before is incredibly inspiring. It’s these moments that remind me why I started the Sofa Singers in the first place.
In addition to the emotional and social connections, we’ve also used the Sofa Singers platform to raise money for various charities. We’ve also raised funds for Shelter, Mind, and even held a session that raised over £2,000 for the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. The idea of singing in solidarity, whether for a global cause or just to lift each other’s spirits, has been a powerful motivator.
Looking back, I can see how my journey from York to West Africa, through music education, and into freelance work all led me to this point. The skills I developed, the experiences I had, and the lessons I learned all came together to make the Sofa Singers what it is today. And as I look to the future, I’m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
At the heart of all of my work is the promotion of wellbeing through singing, whether it’s online with the Sofa Singers or in-person with community groups, workplace choirs or delivering workshops for global organisations. As a freelancer, I love the variety of a portfolio career. In addition to my work as a singing leader, I also give keynote talks on the power of how singing boosts our mental, physical and social health, such as the talk I gave at TEDx Manchester earlier this year.
Just like practices such as yoga and breath work have entered the mainstream conversation around mental health,I want to do the same for singing. Since September 2023, I have been writing a monthly column for Psychologies, the UK’s best selling wellbeing magazine, entitled ‘Sing For Your Life’ which has helped me get my message to a broader audience. The column aims to inform people about the many benefits of singing, drawing upon my own experiences, ancient wisdom and the latest scientific studies. It also aims to inspire action, giving readers ways in which to harness the power of singing for themselves. Topics that I covered in previous columns includes how singing helps build deep social connections, the ‘happy hormones’ that are released when we sing, plus how to access the flow state singing. Plus so much more – I don’t think I’ll ever run of topics to write about!
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this experience, it’s that you don’t need to have all the answers when you start something new. The Sofa Singers was born out of a moment of uncertainty, but it has grown into something that continues to touch thousands of lives. So, if you’re thinking about a new venture, whether it’s starting your own choir, community or business, my advice is simple: think about who it’s for and what it’s for, and go from there. Follow your interests and your curiosity. You never know where it might lead.”
Mentally Fit York is the University’s fund to transform mental health on a local, national and international scale, through supporting on the ground initiatives and the latest groundbreaking research.
