With over 20 million views on the video sharing website YouTube, the overnight stardom of Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle has highlighted the quality - and popularity - of choirs in the UK.

Belonging to a choir - and singing itself - is said to be good for you and the community. Graham Welch, professor of music education at the Institute of Education in London, says: "The benefits of singing are multifarious.

Because it is an aerobic activity, it is very good for the cardiovascular system Graham Welch

"We get social development; there's evidence coming from Israel, Northern Ireland and our own country about an increased sense of belonging through social inclusion.

"We know that singing has positive impacts on the brain, because different brain systems are involved in singing, involving lyrics, rhythm, pulse and pitch. And because it is an aerobic activity, it is very good for the cardiovascular system, which means we get increased oxygenation in the blood stream - we are more alert."

And he says that there is evidence that music could even pre-date language; that it is one of the things that characterises us as human.

The Putney Choral Society, and their conductor Stephen Rhys, perform In Praise Of Spring from Carl Orff's Carmina Burana - in a smaller space than they are used to: the Today studio.