Humankind is musical by design – it is our birthright. We are surrounded by sound and use our own sounds to communicate with others, such as through speech and song. Our earliest experiences of voices and singing are prior to birth inside the womb during the final trimester. We then enter our world already with experience of our mother's voice and also of how voice and feelings are interwoven. The presentation will review related research into early vocal experiences and how our childhood singing behaviours can be both nurtured and hindered by experience. For linked reading, explore the Oxford Handbook of Singing (Oxford University Press), especially Part 3 on the Psychology of Singing and Part 4 on Singing Development across the Lifespan (all chapters are available on oxfordhandbooks.com). See also the evaluation report of the Voces8 Foundation's 'Sing Every Day' singing mentoring programme.

Professor Graham Welch

Graham F Welch studied education 3-13y, as well as music, at the Froebel Educational Institute and University of London prior to completing his Masters in Music Education and Doctorate at the same institutions. He taught in London Primary schools for 14 years, and also spent over two decades as a part-time professional singer in London. He holds the UCL Institute of Education (formerly University of London) Established Chair of Music Education since 2001, is Chair of the Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research (SEMPRE), and is a Past President of the International Society for Music Education (ISME). He holds Visiting Professorships at universities in the UK and overseas, and is a former member of the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Review College for Music. Publications number approximately four hundred. Key research themes embrace musical development, music education, teacher education, the psychology of music, singing and voice science, and music in special education and disability.