Rheum After 5: Dr. Angus Worthing, the Singing Rheumatologist

‘Singing is something that everybody can be good at, whether they think so or not.’  —Dr. Worthing

“The most important thing about performing a cappella in a small harmony group is to blend,” he says. “The chorus should sound like one person singing in harmony. Vowels and words have to be similar. Starting and cutting off words have to be at the same time. It takes a lot of practice, but when it comes together and everyone is singing their best and blending, there’s just nothing like it.”

Pure Fun

Dr. Worthing’s singing career was placed on hold throughout medical school and while raising his family. He says choirs must rehearse at least twice a week, something his hectic schedule wouldn’t tolerate.

Now he sings in the shower, at his practice’s holiday parties, at church and at school fundraisers with his wife. Then there’s that annual sing-off with Doug and his family.

“Our families trade off singing a couple of songs over the phone,” he explains. “That’s a yearly highlight for me. I think we edged them out last Christmas by singing, Lo, How a Rose E-er Blooming. Doug said our performance was a conversation piece for them for the rest of the night.”

Click here to listen to Dr. Worthing’s interview.

In addition to enjoying making music, Dr. Worthing says singing in a choir helped him establish great relationships and learn how to manage a group, which proved invaluable training for his current professional role as partner.

“There wasn’t really a road map, no textbook to follow,” says Dr. Worthing. “I learned in college that singing really brings people together and makes a night or day together much more fun.”

Carol Patton, a freelance writer based in Las Vegas, Nev., writes the Rheum after 5 column for The Rheumatologist.

Editor’s note: Listen to Dr. Worthing talk more about the importance of music and sing a song on our website.