Invitation to Participate in the 2026 Campaign

Invitation to Participate in the 2026 Campaign

To mark World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10, the Chórtownia Foundation—in collaboration with the Silesian Association of Choirs and Orchestras and various partners—invites choirs and conductors to participate in the next edition of the international campaign "Music – Support for People with Depression," taking place this year from October 3 to 11, 2026.

CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES:

  • Raising awareness of depression as a serious illness requiring treatment.
  • Promoting choral singing as a tool for mental health prevention and a form of support during recovery.
  • Promoting local mental health centers.

 

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

  • Open rehearsal – this is the simplest yet most effective way to take part in the campaign. Hold a standard rehearsal at your usual venue, but invite people to attend using personal contacts, the internet, and local media. Open the door to the world of collective singing for everyone. Experience shows that choirs often gain new members following open rehearsals.
  • Concert – this could be a performance already scheduled as part of your artistic season, featuring either secular or sacred repertoire. You can simply "brand" the concert under the Campaign banner.
  • Holy Mass (or another form of religious service) featuring the choir – sing during a service in your local community. Ask the parish priest to include information about the choir's presence and the purpose of the event in the parish announcements.
  • "Singing for Health" session / vocal workshop – organize a one-off, open vocal workshop for your community, led by your conductor or a guest vocal coach. The session could focus on various aspects of collective singing, such as body awareness and physical well-being, or interpersonal relationships.
  • Other forms – do you have your own idea? Would you like to organize a joint or unconventional event? Contact the organizers – we can refine the format together and ensure it aligns with the Campaign’s goals.

 

There are no limits on the number of choirs that can sign up. The more of us there are, the greater our impact will be! Each choir can register for all the types of activities proposed above.


ROULES:

  • Register one or more of the activities described above using the dedicated form available here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHHEn4JaGWs9175fXsFPEd5nkDKeBUtKzsJuQI40JGtr3hBw/viewform by September 30, 2026. Registration allows us to create a schedule of all events, send thank-you notes to you and your partners after the initiative, and compile a report.
  • Use the dedicated visual identity, which reinforces the message we are creating together.
  • Engage a Content Partner; this further strengthens the educational dimension of the entire undertaking. Each choir registering for the Campaign should contact a local mental health facility (e.g., a psychological counseling center, crisis center, or dedicated hospital/clinical ward) or an individual specialist—such as a psychologist or psychotherapist. The Content Partner’s role is to deliver a brief talk before, during, or after the event. Please remember to acknowledge the Partner’s presence at the event as a special guest. This is a symbolic yet significant gesture, highlighting the role these individuals play in the daily fight against depression.
  • Read the Open Letter (this can be done by the Content Partner or the person responsible for carrying out the chosen form of participation in the Campaign).
  • Post an account of the event online using the hashtags: #WorldMentalHealthDay, #BenefitsOfSinging, #cultureforhealth.

 

All the materials mentioned above (visual identity, open letter, as well as others such as invitation and poster templates or social media assets) can be downloaded from the DOWNLOADS section (About the project website tab).