This afternoon at 4pm, Sarasota’s own Key Chorale will produce the Second Annual Key Chorale Choral Festival at First Church in downtown Sarasota. This year’s festival will feature “New Voices in Choral Music” and will certainly prove to be inspirational to all who attend.

In talking with members of the Key Chorale and doing research for a presentation that I will provide for the festival, it became clear to me that the impact of these types of artistic activities in the community truly is about much more than the music. For example, when we look at the fact that choral singing is the most popular form of participation in the performing arts in the United States, we begin to get a sense of how music shapes the character of individuals and therefore the very foundation for our nation’s character. Recent surveys have shown that 23 percent of all American households have at least one member that participates in chorus. This translates into over 42 million adults and children nationwide.

One might ask what that has to do with the character of our Nation. The national data show that adults who sing in chorus are remarkably good citizens. They are avid patrons of the arts and they volunteer significantly more frequently than the general public. They also prove to be substantial financial contributors to their choruses and to other philanthropic organizations. They prove to be excellent team players and exhibit greater civic leadership than the typical person in their community.

Furthermore, children who participate in choruses (and all of the arts) have better academic success and stronger life skills than those who do not. Their teachers say they are better class participants and better team players. Involvement in a chorus keeps many children engaged in school who might otherwise be lost to the stresses of adolescence.

We are truly blessed to live in a community that embraces the arts as an integral part of our life and character. The Arts and Cultural Alliance encourages all of our citizens to take advantage of the wide array of cultural activities and experiences that surround us. Not only is it inspirational and motivational, it truly is about more than the music.

Jim Shirley is the executive director for the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.