ABOVE: Voce Chamber Choir sang with the Rolling Stones at the o2 in December 2012

The legacy of choirs is far-reaching, having been part of human history for as long as records began. The Old Testament talks of King David forming singing groups 3,000 years ago and many ancient communities found choral singing to be an integral part of society; such as the Greeks with their original ‘chorus line’ (the group of performers in the classical plays of ancient Greek theatre). The trend continued, with the notion of dividing up various parts of songs to fit voices developing in medieval times. But it was in the Renaissance period that amateur group singing really took off and some of today’s most popular choral music was penned.

Modern music artists are still being influenced by choirs that were first formed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. R’n’B singers from Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye to Beyoncé and Whitney Houston learned the basics of their trade in gospel choirs, as did artists such as Beth Ditto and Janis Joplin. Also Kanye West is a current fan, arranging choral pieces in both Jesus Walks and Say You Will, while Elbow worked with the Hallé Youth Choir for their elegiac fifth album Build A Rocket Boys!. Rock legends have also had an enduring relationship with the choral trend, from David Bowie’s underground collaborations with the New Jersey Gospel Choir to Primal Scream’s Movin’ On Up, which featured vocals from the Inishowen Gospel Choir. “In December last year we sang with the Rolling Stones at the O2 in front of 20,000 people,” adds Voce’s Christina. “It was the most incredible rush.”

And choiring is a real skill. There’s a whole new lexicon to be learnt and a field of technicality to negotiate. “It’s not just a case of turning up and singing in tune” says Natasha Tomalin, Stylist’s deputy art editor, 25, from London who has sung with the Union Chapel Choir. “Choirs are about splitting up voices and people taking on different roles. Women’s voices fall into two groups in a choir: sopranos – those who sing the main melody and have a slightly higher range – and altos, who provide the harmony, so you need to work out where your voice lies.” So surely these choirs must be hotbeds of competitive energy as successful career women battle for the leading role? “Actually, everyone wanted to be an alto in my choir, I think they were nervous to be in the spotlight,” says Natasha. “But it was quite competitive. There’s often a hierarchy if people can read music, those that can will normally lead the choir, and get the best parts to sing.”

Having spent 10 hours in back-to-back meetings and negotiating office politics, the process of turning our attention to music can come almost as a form of therapy for women who would otherwise find it almost impossible to put down their BlackBerrys. “Choir rehearsals are a great form of stress release as they allow you the opportunity to concentrate completely on something other than your daily life,” says Jo Hornsby, 35, head of logistics at London’s National Theatre – who joined a choir 12 months ago. “It’s a chance to learn skills in harmonising, rhythms, blending of voices, intonation, breathing techniques and musicality without the feeling that the spotlight is on you – you get a real sense of achievement knowing that you have contributed to a song sung well too.”

According to experts, this is the precise reason why singing in groups is so addictive. “Shared social contact is good for your mental health,” says psychiatrist Dr Jan Wise, flagging up the strong psychological and emotional benefits. “Creating something positive in a communal, cooperative environment has powerful results. The endorphins released while singing create a sense of reward: there’s a feel-good factor.” “It’s said that before humans talked, they sang,” adds Tessa Marchington, founder of Music In Offices. “Research has shown a human need for calling and vocalising in our ancestors, before we got to speech.”

The Rise Of The Choir