Group Singing Research Articles

United Voices Group-Singing Intervention to Address Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Older People With HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Intervention Adaption Study.

People living with HIV experience HIV stigma alongside a spectrum of aging-related health conditions that accelerate their vulnerability to the ill effects of loneliness and social isolation. Group-singing interventions are efficacious in improving psychosocial well-being among older people in the general population; however, the social curative effects of group singing have not been explored in relation to HIV stigma. By promoting group identification, bonding, and pride, group singing may reduce loneliness, social isolation, and other negative impacts of HIV stigma among older people living with HIV. Access to group-singing programs may be enhanced by technology. While group singing has been extensively studied in older adults, group-singing interventions have not been adapted for older people living with HIV to target loneliness and social isolation in the context of HIV stigma. The objective of this study was to describe the systematic development of a group-singing intervention to reduce loneliness and social isolation among older people living with HIV. In the San Francisco Bay Area between February 2019 and October 2019, we engaged older people living with HIV in a rigorous, 8-stage, community-engaged intervention adaptation process using the Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical Experts, Integration, Training, and Testing (ADAPT-ITT) framework. On the basis of a formative assessment of the needs and preferences of older people living with HIV, we selected an evidence-based group-singing intervention for older adults and systematically adapted the intervention components by administering them to a community advisory council (n=13). The result was United Voices, a 12-week hybrid (web-based and in-person) group-singing intervention for older people living with HIV. United Voices comprises 12 web-based (ie, via Zoom [Zoom Video Communications]) rehearsals, web-based and in-person drop-in helpdesk sessions, and a professionally produced final concert recording. Through an iterative process and in consultation with stakeholders and topic experts, we refined and manualized United Voices and finalized the design of a pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention protocol and procedures. The findings provide insights into the barriers and facilitators involved in culturally tailoring interventions for older people living with HIV, implementing intervention adaptations within web-based environments, and the promise of developing hybrid music-based interventions for older adults with HIV.

Health Risks Associated with Microphone Sharing: A Survey of Awareness, Perception and Preventative Actions among Christian Church Choir Members in Taraba State, North-East, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to investigate the awareness and health actions related to the risks of microphone sharing among Christian choir members in Taraba State, Nigeria. Grounded in the Health Belief Model, the study utilised a descriptive survey design, sampling 225 choir members from 10 randomly selected churches across Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria. Data were collected via online questionnaires and analysed using simple descriptive statistics. The findings reveal a low level of awareness about the health risks associated with sharing microphones. The respondents generally demonstrated a negative perception towards these risks, with many expressing disbelief in the potential for disease transmission through shared microphones. Additionally, there was a notable lack of adherence to precautionary measures. The study found that microphones were infrequently cleaned, microphone foams were rarely replaced, and hand hygiene practices—such as hand washing and the use of sanitiser—were not routinely observed. The use of face masks and shields among choir members was also reported as rare. These findings have significant implications for public health practices within religious communities. They underscore the urgent need for increased awareness and education about the potential health risks of microphone sharing. Thus, the study recommends implementing regular cleaning protocols, ensuring the replacement of microphone foams, and promoting personal hygiene measures, including hand sanitisation and the use of face masks or shields during group singing activities. These measures are essential for mitigating health risks and ensuring the well-being of choir members.

Addressing the Global Crisis of Social Connection: Singers As Positively Energizing Leaders Who Create Belonging in Our Communities

ABSTRACT Social connection is fundamental to good mental and physical health, yet globally we are experiencing a crisis of connection. Singers exhibit leadership qualities which can be harnessed to rebuild social connections through community group singing activities. Increasingly, music and singing are understood and enacted as a practice of care. Despite this, and partly due to the predominance of performing and teaching within singers’ working lives, community music practices such as group singing for social connection remain on the margins of singers’ career portfolios. This article introduces a range of perspectives not often considered within the singing voice research literature—from leadership theory and social psychology—to position singers as “positively energizing community leaders” who can help address this crisis of connection. Singers’ embodied, aesthetic practice, coupled with their natural desire to connect with others and share human experiences, enables them to build positive, caring relationships and health-enhancing social identities within community singing groups. The article concludes with discussion of the opportunities and challenges for singers in taking up the mantle of positively energizing community leadership, and a call for robust research to establish how singers contribute to addressing the social connection crisis across diverse contexts.

What are the skills, attributes and knowledge for group singing facilitators? A systematic review

Community-based open-to-all choirs or singing groups are popular internationally and associated with multiple health and well-being benefits. Facilitators of such groups require specific skills, attributes and knowledge. Therefore, we examined literature to identify key characteristics of group singing facilitators (GSFs) using a systematic review approach. Eighteen studies are included in the current review. These studies utilized qualitative research methods to illustrate GSFs’ roles within the community context. Narrative synthesis revealed two meta-themes, namely music-related and group facilitation-related. Within both meta-themes, there were various skills, attributes and knowledge specific to GSFs, which appear to be intertwined. This analysis also revealed the complexity of group singing facilitation along with a lack of opportunities for training and support for GSFs. Further research is needed to develop and evaluate holistic learning to support GSFs with essential skills, attributes and knowledge to promote group singing in the community setting.

What does it mean to sing with the Earth?

ABSTRACT A small group (n = 11) of singers from the same community of musical practice in the UK participated in focus group workshops to reflect on their experiences of group singing in nature. The study found that group singing in nature was considered to be a (non-religious) spiritual practice that enhances participants’ experience of both communitas and their connection to the natural world. Participants made an important distinction between singing with the earth – communing with the natural world in a more spiritual way – and singing for the earth, more political activity in response to local and global environmental issues. From a Posthuman perspective, diffraction – as both the physical and metaphorical process of exploring ‘differences that matter’ – is identified as an important concept for understanding how different routes to wellbeing can be mutually constitutive and intra-active. De-centring human experience by amplifying the co-constitutive role of other agencies like the natural world highlights the ontological and epistemological complexity of such experience.

Healthy and Efficient Voice Use Awareness in Amateur Group Singers: A Multi-Sensory Self-Assessment Protocol Trial

ABSTRACT Group singing is beneficial for health and well-being but many new clients presenting in the singing teaching studio come from choir backgrounds and with established voice problems. Amateur group singers do not usually receive individual feedback on their singing efforts, so there is a need to establish a self-monitoring procedure. This qualitative inquiry involved purposive sampling of 18 amateur choir singers trialing a self-assessment (SA) protocol for three weeks. A pre-trial and post-trial online questionnaire was completed to assess the impact of the SA protocol on singing behaviors. Three follow up online interviews were conducted to further interrogate the processes experienced by participants. Post-trial results revealed an increased awareness of healthy and unhealthy singing habits evidenced by changes in thinking and mental attitude, and in behavior and practice improvement. Visual and aural self-assessment were easiest for participants to employ with kinesthetic self-assessment being the most difficult. Choir leaders need to continue to educate the singers in their care concerning vocal health and efficiency and encourage self-assessment during singing and speaking acts. Individual singers in an amateur setting must be encouraged to become independent learners, taking responsibility for their vocal health through self-monitoring procedures.

A community created through group singing: Examining the health benefits of engaging in a hospital community choir

Participating in group singing can positively impact one’s physical, social, and emotional health. Limited research exists regarding the potential health benefits of hospital community choirs as social prescription, and even less on choirs comprised of various members of the hospital community [i.e., mixed staff, clients, and local community choirs]. This study explored whether a hospital community choir supports four domains of choir participants' health [physical, social, emotional, and spiritual] and investigated the possible impact of this experience on participants' perspectives of hospitals. A 10-week choir programme was facilitated by a music therapist. Employing a concurrent transformative design, surveys were distributed to the choir members and five semi-structured interviews were undertaken. Survey responses were statistically insignificant but indicated benefits across all four health domains. Interviews revealed four key themes: healing; positive experiences; social connectedness; and feeling supported. In merging these results, it was concluded that a hospital community choir can be a valuable intervention for improving multiple aspects of health in the hospital community but future larger studies are needed. This study confirms previous evidence of the potential health benefits of group singing and provides insights into the role of community choirs as social prescription in promoting health and well-being.

How Australian singers experienced disruption to choir participation caused by pandemic lockdowns: A thematic analysis

Benefits of group singing participation have been well established and group singing through social prescription has attracted recent research attention. This study offers a unique participant perspective on the benefits of regular singing group engagement by exploring what happened when access was lost through COVID-19 lockdowns. Sixty adult singers, including five facilitators, who ceased singing during lockdown submitted responses to an online qualitative survey. The respondents had all participated regularly in group singing for at least 5 years. Multi-faceted experiences of loss associated with mood, emotional regulation, access to shared joy and social connection were described by participants. Dissatisfaction with online singing alternatives and challenges of navigating a face-to-face return to group singing were emphasized. The research also describes the specific experience of singing group facilitators who described feelings of anguish related to not being able to resource their groups with singing and negative impacts on their personal and professional identities. In exploring what is lost to facilitators and group members due to pandemic intervention, this study highlights the value and experience of group singing involvement outside of the COVID-19 context.

Therapeutic Singing and Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Single Session Intervention.

Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience speech and voice-related symptoms that diminish communication and quality of life. Semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises are targeted interventions that, when combined with the positive psychosocial benefits of therapeutic group singing (TGS), may affect outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of SOVT exercises, specifically straw phonation combined with TGS, to improve voice quality and mood for individuals with PD. We used a true experimental pretest-posttest between-subjects design (i.e., randomized controlled trial) facilitated by a board-certified music therapist. All participants (N = 27) were randomly assigned to one of three groups (a) straw phonation combined with TGS (SP + TGS, n = 10), (b) TGS (n = 10), and (c) speaking-only control group (n = 7). Participants completed voice recordings for acoustic measures and the Visual Analogue Mood Scale for mood analysis before and after a 30-min intervention. The results demonstrated significant improvement in voice quality evidenced by decreasing Acoustic Voice Quality Index scores following a single session for both SP + TGS and TGS intervention groups when compared to the control. Happiness scores improved in the experimental groups when compared to control. Although not statistically significant, participants in the experimental groups (SP + TGS, TGS) demonstrated better mean mood scores on happiness, anxiety, and angry when compared to control, indicating a positive psychological response to the singing interventions. Overall, this study indicated the effectiveness of SP + TGS and TGS as promising therapeutic interventions for voice quality and mood in individuals with PD.

The benefits of choral singing: A study of Italian university choirs (2018–19)

Italian university choirs typically welcome students, employees at the university, alumni and even external people. In fact, they constitute a significant example of intergenerational and intercultural group singing in that they enable interaction between people with different backgrounds in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, place of origin, language and class. This makes them a strategic standpoint from which to investigate group singing activities which are aimed at inclusivity, cooperation and music appreciation. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data collected during 2018–19, shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this article investigates the positive benefits of singing for members of university choirs. More precisely, it argues that collective singing promotes the emotional, social and cognitive well-being of choristers. It discusses how these benefits are strongly associated with face-to-face interaction and direct personal participation in the choir, including but not limited to singing during rehearsals and concerts.

Terapiniai tradicinio muzikavimo aspektai nėštumo, gimdymo ir pogimdyminiu laikotarpiu

The purpose of this study is to reveal the benefits of traditional music for women’s psychosocial wellbeing and its applicability in music therapy during the birth-transition, i. e. during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Some Lithuanian women use traditional music for self-help during their own birth-transition or working with pregnant women and mothers. On the other hand, we still lack interdisciplinary research on the therapeutic value of traditional music. This article analyzes a previously unexplored phenomenon of employing traditional music to improve the psychosocial wellbeing of pregnant women and mothers. The study presents experiences, insights and testimonies of the young mothers and doulas who assisted them regarding the value of traditional music while expecting the baby, giving birth, and raising the child. For this study, we deliberately selected educated women who are members of the folk singing groups and practice folklore in their everyday life.
 In the article, pregnancy, childbirth and the first weeks after it are regarded as a transition period between different stages of a woman’s life. It is characterized by the sense of liminality, identity transformation, and the related emotional peak. The research has shown that the interviewed women practiced folk singing, listened to the traditional music or music performed on the traditional instrument kanklės, danced to traditional dance music during pregnancy in order to creatively release tension, improve emotional state, reduce anxiety, prepare for the childbirth, or simply make everything easier. Meanwhile, singing folksongs and lullabies to the baby during pregnancy and the postpartum period was a natural way to establish a relationship, to express motherly love, to convey values and a certain worldview.

Reaping the Harvest of Joy: Practitioner Enquiry into Intercultural Group Singing

Singers from community choirs in the UK and Norway participated in research to evaluate their experiences of singing in a collaborative choral event in the UK in June 2023. They shared personal stories of their participation and interpreted the significance of their experiences through the app-based data collection method Sensemaker®. We found strong evidence of fast social bonding through a shared emotional experience, which was amplified by the aesthetic qualities of the singing, the material qualities of the venue and the ethical qualities of leadership to model and express the values and attitudes underpinning the reported positive effects. As an intercultural activity, we found that both bonding and bridging social capital were produced through the activity, highlighting the potential of group singing as a potent form of civic imagination and for developing intercultural empathy. The study also highlights the value of practitioner enquiry as a research methodology for developing an understanding of the complex ways in which participation in cultural activities can lead to positive outcomes for participants.

UPAYA MENINGKATKAN KECERDASAN MUSIK MELALUI KEGIATAN BERNYANYI BERSAMA DI TK IT NURUL ILMI MEDAN

This research aims to find out how to increase musical intelligence through group singing activities at the IT Nurul Ilmi Kindergarten in Medan. This research uses a qualitative research type. The data collection techniques used were interviews, observation and documentation. The data analysis technique used is the Miles and Huberman model which includes four parts, namely data collection, data reduction, data presentation and verification or conclusions. The results of the research show that the stimulation of musical arts in singing activities provided by teachers for children aged 5-6 years is that teachers provide examples in groups, teachers provide opportunities for children, teachers stimulate with movement and songs, and teachers listen to songs to children

“BEYOND JUST A SINGING GROUP”: PERCEPTIONS OF PARTICIPANTS, CAREGIVERS, AND LEADERS OF PARKINSON’S SINGING GROUPS

Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease, and its prevalence is increasing. There is no cure, so symptom treatment is currently the only method to decrease the disease burden for individuals diagnosed with PD. A common treatment modality option that has been shown to improve both motor and non-motor symptoms in PD is therapeutic singing, often in a group setting. Previous literature has explored perceptions of singing groups for persons with PD (PwPD) and their caregivers (CGs) and has found overall positive experiences and outcomes. No study has sought to understand the perspectives of the leaders of the singing groups. The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions and experiences of participants in singing groups (n=31), their caregivers (n=8), and those leading the groups (n=10) across several different singing groups in the United States. A qualitative phenomenological methodological framework was used with principles of grounded theory to make meaning from the transcripts. Three main themes emerged from the data: peer support, proactive PD management, and the effects of the pandemic. These findings indicate that even during a global pandemic, all three participant groups experienced positive outcomes resulting from peer support and either experiencing or witnessing effective management of PD symptoms. All three participant groups reported similar perceptions and experiences about their involvement which reinforces the rationale to use singing as a treatment modality for PD.

INVESTIGATING THE NEURAL CORRELATES OF SOCIAL AND INDIVIDUAL SINGING IN PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA

Abstract Music interventions for persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (PwADRD) have documented psychological benefits; however, the neurological correlates underlying these advantages remain less certain. Using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), the present study i) investigated within-person patterns of cortical oxygenation during choral vs. individual singing; ii) explored how singing context (choral vs. individual) modulated patterns of functional connectivity (FC) within and across frontal and parietal cortices; and iii) leveraged these functional activations as predictors of cognitive status (degree of impairment) in a series of discriminant function analyses (DFA). Participants were 13 PwADRD who volunteered from a larger, ongoing social-cognitive choir intervention. fNIRS data were collected using a TechEn Cw6 system during both choral and individual singing conditions. Paired sample t-tests evaluated differences in activation patterns between singing conditions, with DFA used to determine whether these activations and neuropsychological function were predictive of between-person differences in cognitive impairment. Significant differences in cerebral oxygenation were identified in the right anterior PFC, with individual singing associated with significantly greater cortical oxygenation relative to group singing. Although not significant, individual singing was also associated with bilateral increases in cortical oxygenation across the majority of fNIRS channels, as well as increased FC, relative to group singing. The DFA analyses were not significant. This novel study is the first to examine differences in music-cognition correlates across environmental contexts for PwADRD. Patterns of functional activation suggest that choral singing in particular may represent an optimal lifestyle activity, placing comparatively fewer demands on cognitive function.

БАЛЛАДНЫЕ ПЕСНИ РУССКОГО НАСЕЛЕНИЯ АЛТАЙСКОГО КРАЯ (ЗАПИСИ 1980-2023 гг.)

The paper examines the ballad songs that existed in the repertoirs of household singing groups of Altai Krai’s Russian population. The study is based on the analysis of folklore records that the author worked on in 1980-2023, as well as materials of regional folklore and ethnographic publications from the same period. The paper considers the themes and plots of ballad songs and compares the musical and poetic variants of the compositions. The conclusion is reached about the active use of the plots of late ballad songs and the greatest popularity of family and domestic themes in all domestic singing groups of Altai Krai’s Russian population, including the Old Believers.

Teleconference group singing programs for well‐being of healthy older adults and persons with neurocognitive disorders during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractBackgroundDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, older adults experienced a marked decline in well‐being, attributed largely to social isolation (Tilburg et al, 2021; Krendl et al, 2021). Previous literature shows that participatory musical interventions, like group singing, improve well‐being and provide social and emotional support (Pentikäinen et al, 2021; Johnson et al, 2020). However, the pandemic highlighted the need for research on how such programs may be administered in an online setting. The enforced shutdown of in‐person choirs in 2021 provided an opportunity for such assessment.MethodTwo types of group choir programs were conducted via teleconferencing. One program engaged participants in sing‐along to familiar music only, offered weekly (52 in 2021). The other involved structured rehearsals (14 sessions) where participants learned choir music, culminating in a recorded "virtual concert”. Program participants were 55 and older, divided into persons with neurocognitive disorders (NcD) and cognitively healthy individuals (CH). Self‐report assessments of the programs were solicited. Four Likert scale questions covered anxiety, social connections, physical well‐being, and “other” areas of well‐being. Two free response questions requested elaboration on other well‐being improvement.ResultResults of Likert scales indicated at least moderate improvements in all measured aspects of well‐being. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive (>95%). Free response analysis revealed 7 themes, the most prominent being emotional, social, and intellectual well‐being. 87% of respondents mentioned positive effects on well‐being. Intellectual well‐being was mentioned with significant frequency by choir participants versus sing‐along (p = 0.02). While the NcD choir group was small, hampering statistical power, clear trends were present; 40% of participants in the NcD choir highlighted social well‐being (25‐29% in other groups), and 20% discussed improvements to physical well‐being (0‐6% in other groups).ConclusionOnline group music programs administered during the COVID‐19 pandemic showed improvements in overall measures of well‐being, with different programs and participants highlighting specific aspects. These results establish feasibility for such programs as a method for providing meaningful improvement to well‐being in older adults, providing stability and connection amidst a time of disruption and isolation.

Do community-based singing interventions have an impact on people living with dementia and their carers? A mixed-methods study protocol

IntroductionPsychosocial interventions have been shown to improve mood, relieve stress and improve quality of life for people living with dementia (PwD). To date, most evaluations of singing interventions have focused...

Place and Purpose of Vocal Ensembles in Liturgy

Over the centuries, singing ensembles have occupied assorted liturgical locations in church space. Nowadays – pursuant to music-related church laws – they ought to occupy a place duly highlighting their special participation and purpose in liturgy. Singing group place[1]ment shall take account of its composition as well. The placement and purpose of signing ensembles alike have to be viewed in the context of Church traditions and laws. In terms of the nature and tasks assigned to specific singing groups in liturgy, they may be classified as the choir and schola cantorum, respectively. A synthetic presentation of the topic will be particularly helpful to persons responsible for preparing solemn liturgical celebrations

Cultural Studies and Heritage Education of Nanyin Performance Art in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China

Nanyin, a traditional Chinese music genre originating from Fujian Province, China, encompasses a wide range of singing and instrumental playing techniques. This study aims to analyze the historical development and performance form of Nanyin in Quanzhou, Fujian, China, employing an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates musicology, ethnomusicology, historical musicology, and organology, the study aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of Nanyin and its relevance to cultural studies and heritage education. Key informants, interviews, and observations were utilized as primary research tools, and a systematic data analysis approach was employed. The research results emphasize the enduring popularity and recognition of Nanyin. Nanyin’s development is traced through different periods, highlighting its ancient origins, fusion with diverse musical influences, professionalization, and contemporary revitalization. The performance forms of Nanyin encompass various styles, including duet singing, chorus singing, enchant singing, rotating singing, and group singing, demonstrating the artistic versatility and expressive capabilities of this cultural heritage. The research findings align with theoretical principles in the field of musicology and contribute to a deeper understanding of Nanyin’s cultural significance and its role in preserving China’s traditional culture.