The CeleBRation Choir: Establishing community group choral singing for people living with neurological conditions.

Abstract

EDITOR'S NOTE - The Journal values translation of research to the broader community and will publish brief descriptions of examples of such translational activities that may serve as precedents or incentives for further research/community interactions. The material is screened and undergoes editorial feedback by one or more members of the Editorial Board but does not undergo formal peer review due to the preliminary or nonrigorous nature. An example is provided in the following submission that is relevant to the Special Volume on Singing and Psychology, particularly the topic of wellbeing. Sufficient information is included in this article to assist the establishment of similar research-linked community choirs elsewhere. ESTABLISHING THE CELEBRATION CHOIR The CeleBRation Choir (www.fmhs.auckland. ac.nz/faculty/cbr/events/choir.aspx) was established in 2009 at the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) at The University of Auckland in New Zealand. The unique CBR partnership between scientists, clinicians, community groups, and patients aims to create a better future for people and families living with brain disease. The choir fulfils a dual role of developing community connections for CBR researchers, as well as potentially providing therapy for participants with neurological conditions. Here we outline the purpose and process of setting up the choir and a pilot-project evaluation. Inspired by the Sing for Joy Choir, which has links with the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, London (Magee, Temple, Grimes, & Benson, n.d.), the CeleBRation choir concept was developed by Laura Fogg, through initial discussions with CBR neuroscientists, clinicians and community non-governmental organizations. The name 'CeleBRation Choir' highlights the strengths of people with neurological conditions and emphasizes links to the CBR. A NZ$3000 3-month grant from Music Therapy New Zealand allowed the recruitment of Music Therapist Alison Talmage, who had facilitated a pilot music therapy group for Parkinson's patients in Auckland. The choir was developed as an open social, singing group. CBR scientists, neurological patients, carers and care workers were invited and could join or leave at any time. Fogg organised the choir meetings, while Talmage led the choir and chose the repertoire. Ten initial members gave positive, informal feedback. The CBR subsequently took on the support of the music therapist and absorbed the costs of the organiser's time, song sheets, web advertising and refreshments, but not transportation which limited attendance of some persons. Contact with the CBR's Community Partners1 facilitated reaching a wide target population of neurological groups through field officers, health professionals, mailing lists, newsletters and posters. Media articles and programs also spread the choir concept. The choir roster includes 60 people with neurological conditions, with around 20 participants attending per session. Over 80% of participants either have non-fluent aphasia due to stroke, or they have Parkinson's disease. Other participants include people with mild dementia, traumatic brain injury and autism. Members currently range from age 35 years upwards, with half of the participants over 60 years old. Many have physical as well as vocal disabilities, so carers and family members are also encouraged to participate. Several CBR scientists with an interest in music, and several community volunteers support the choir as singers, accompanists, and in other practical capacities such as providing refreshments or organizing resources. Consideration of fatigue and medication effects reported by people with neurological conditions (Buetow, Giddings, Nayer, & Williams, 2008) led to a session length of 1.5 hours, including a short refreshment break. Feedback prompted daytime sessions only. Music therapy and singing for neurological patients is relatively new (Baker & Tamplin, 2006; Thaut, 2005), and this is particularly true in New Zealand (Croxson, 2007). …