An Intergenerational Singing Group: A Community Music Therapy Qualitative Research Project and Graduate Student Mentoring Initiative

Guylaine Vaillancourt,Evie (Yi) Han,Gloria Lipski,Danna Da Costa

doi:10.15845/voices.v18i1.883

Guylaine Vaillancourt, Evie (Yi) Han + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v18i1.883

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Abstract

This study describes the implementation and investigation of a community music therapy (CoMT) intergenerational singing group. Participants were a non-clinical group of adults aged 20 to 65 years old. Weekly sessions were held over a 10-week period at a community art studio in a lower-income neighborhood within a large Canadian urban city. Participants reported experiencing increased self-expression, a sense of accomplishment, improved respiration, and feelings of general well-being. They developed new relationships and social and community networks, however participants mentioned limitations regarding the sustainability of this community development. They also indicated challenges with the multilingual repertoire. Three professional music therapy graduate students, acting as co-researchers, were introduced to and mentored in implementing community music therapy practice and research. Potential implications and recommendations for further research are discussed.

Highlights

Community music therapy (CoMT) is a social music approach that promotes social inclusion, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging by resourcing clinical and marginalized populations to music within their communities (Ansdell, 2002; Pavlicevic & Ansdell, 2004; Stige, Ansdell, Elefant, & Pavlicevic, 2010; Stige & Aarø, 2012; Vaillancourt, 2012)
The project was guided by the research question: What is the experience of participating in an intergenerational community music therapy singing group?
The pre-group individual interviews demonstrated that the primary motivation for participants to take part in an intergenerational singing group was the love of singing

Summary

Introduction

Community music therapy (CoMT) is a social music approach that promotes social inclusion, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging by resourcing clinical and marginalized populations to music within their communities (Ansdell, 2002; Pavlicevic & Ansdell, 2004; Stige, Ansdell, Elefant, & Pavlicevic, 2010; Stige & Aarø, 2012; Vaillancourt, 2012). The therapeutic properties of music and its potential to improve health, to develop community, and to foster personal cultural expression are being recognised (Bailey & Davidson, 2003). When it comes to singing in particular, participation in a choir can benefit social, emotional, and mental well-being (Bailey & Davidson, 2003); vocal exercises and singing can address social, communicational, and physical needs (Fogg & Talmage, 2011); choral singing can improve mood, health, and wellbeing in the general population (Talmage, Ludlam, Leão, Fogg-Rogers, & Purdy, 2013); and music can foster emotional awareness, social and spiritual connection, and social competency (Ruud, 2004)

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