Pram Jam Singers sound great

Aine O'Boyle

EVERY Friday morning at 10am, a group of people gather in Taney Parish Centre, Dundrum, with one thing in common – they are all parents and carers that love to sing. 

Pram Jam Singers is a group of parents, grandparents and childminders that come together to make music while the kids play or even join in. The group was founded in September of last year by mum and graduate of Cork School of Music, Maura Flynn. 

“It originated from a conversation among friends where we wanted to have something musical for us, as mothers as well as our kids,” Maura explained.

“We had all taken our kids to so many groups, to encourage musical growth and learn and play through music, but what about the parents?”

The group gets together at a time to fit into the schedules of parents and minders who may wish to join a choir but can’t make it to evening rehearsals.

“Everyone is welcome to sing with Pram Jam Singers – mums, dads, minders, grannies and grandads – or anyone who wants to sing in a choir, and at a time that suits them,” Maura added.

Pram Jam Singers is unique in the way that the focus of this parent and toddler group is on the parents.

“There are babes in arms and toddlers playing, or eating or sleeping at each rehearsal but my priority is the grown-up, so that they get time to sing great songs and learn harmonies and sing as part of a very unique choir,” Maura said.

The singing group has yet to take their performances public but they are hoping to link in with some nursing homes in the local area to bring their singing to the older generation.

“I believe the link between our old and young is very important,” Maura said. “Pram Jam Singers would be a beautiful musical connection.”

The group was also involved in National Singing Week last year, that is run in conjunction with Sing Ireland. 

National Singing Week offers all those with a love of singing the opportunity to be a part of a national conversation on the benefits to both the body and mind and of being involved in such a group. 

According to Maura: “The benefits of choral singing are becoming well known, as they increase a person’s well-being and offering a sense of togetherness.

“The breathing calms and improves respiratory health.

“There is a joy in singing harmonies, hearing the incredible sound a choir can make and knowing you are a part of it.”