Sounds Joyful: How Music and Sound Are Transforming Communities

Emma Wheat
Nov 24
3 min read

Imagine a society where people greet difference with curiosity instead of defensiveness; where workplaces feel cohesive rather than strained; and where people of all ages and abilities sit side by side creating something beautiful together.

Now imagine that the doorway into that world isn’t a complicated programme or a long course. It’s sound. It’s music. It’s joy; co-created, shared, and celebrated.

This is the world Emma Wheat and Jo Coomber are building through Sounds Joyful. Not a project, not an initiative—a movement. One that is transforming communities by reminding people what it feels like to be seen, valued, and connected exactly as they are.

A Vision Rooted in Human Kindness

Emma and Jo hold a simple but powerful belief: joy is a universal human right, and sound is one of the most direct paths to it. Their work isn’t about singing pretty harmonies or performing polished pieces. It’s about enabling people of every age and ability to come together in a space where:

nothing is expected,
everything is welcomed,
and everyone is celebrated.

In a world that encourages competitive comparison, obsessive scrolling, and finding fault in others’ differences, Sounds Joyful offers a refreshing alternative: authentic community you can feel in your bones.

Why Sound and Music Create Connection (The Science Bit)

It turns out, your body already knows what Sounds Joyful teaches.

When people create sound together—through humming, drumming, singing, tapping, or simply adding their breath—our nervous systems begin to synchronise. Research shows that group music-making releases oxytocin, the hormone associated with trust and connection. Brain imaging also reveals that co-creation activates areas linked to empathy and reward, making people feel uplifted and bonded.

One study in Frontiers in Psychology found that group singing improves social inclusion and wellbeing—even for people who came in feeling isolated or anxious.

It’s not magic, though it feels like it. It’s neuroscience, it's human physiology and it’s profoundly powerful.

Sounds Joyful takes that science and turns it into accessible practice for absolutely everyone.

Where the Joy Comes From

In Sounds Joyful sessions, joy doesn’t come from performance. It comes from participation, in whatever form feels right—tapping a drum, joining in a rhythm, resting and listening, adding a single note.

People feel valued because the community genuinely values them. Their presence contributes to the experience, whether through voice, movement, breath, or simply being there.

This joy isn’t fleeting. Participants carry it out of the room—into their homes, workplaces, relationships, and wider communities. Joy spreads. Confidence grows naturally. And slowly but steadily, society shifts.

Real Stories, Real Change

Across schools, community hubs, and workplaces, the impact is tangible.

In Schools

Through drumming workshops, students find their own voice: "I can really be myself here, I fell really free just to be me - no one is judging me." Grace, Year 10, St Dunstan's School. Teachers report reduced tension, more empathy, and a surge in mutual respect.

In Workplaces

Teams rediscover cohesion and empathy. Communication improves. People begin to see colleagues as humans first, roles second. Employees describe feeling more centred, more connected, and more motivated.

Testimonial: Bath College Staff Workshop

In Community Settings

Something extraordinary happens. Everyone feels on equal footing. The community becomes a level playing field where ability is celebrated and difference is not only accepted but embraced.

The transformations aren’t “nice extras.”They’re profound shifts in how people relate to themselves and to each other.

Values That Shape the Movement

Emma Wheat and Jo Coomber have built Sounds Joyful on clear values that guide every action:

Real relationships come first: Connection is the foundation of all activities.
Inclusion is non-negotiable: Everyone is welcome without judgment.
Participation is voluntary: People join in ways that feel right for them.
Contributions are celebrated: Every voice matters, no matter how it shows up.

These values ensure that the spaces created are truly safe and welcoming. They also reinforce the idea that joy grows when people feel accepted and valued.