Singing with Parkinsons:
An Observation

Singing with Parkinsons at the South Shore Conservatory, Hingham Massachusetts 

This chorus was observed via zoom due to scheduling. There were 6 participants, 4 virtual ones from all over the country and two in person. There was a live pianist to accompany.  

The session started with a warmup by a dance therapist (virtually) who guided the group through seated warm up stretches. There was a simple vocal warm up and the rest of the session was singing songs that they are working on. The live group sang with the pianist and the online groups had to mute to sing due to the delay. They went through a series of songs they have been working on for example: “Fly me to the Moon” and “That’s what Friends are for”. Some members of the group have been together for three years. 

Questions:  

What are the levels of PD in the participants? 

They are all in the early stages. One participant does not have PD,  but has a similar neurological disease. 

What is their past musical experience?

Experience is varied. Some have been singing all their lives. Some play drums and piano. Those with experience can read the music being sung, while others use just the lyrics. 

What does the chorus do therapeutically for the participants?  

There are 5 objectives: 

1. Motor skill objectives (gross motor). The dance portion of the class focusses on these; keeping them active. Smaller motor skills are also enforced (facial masking) through vocalizations and tongue twisters. 

 2.Diaphragmatic breathing and other breathing exercises. Many PD patients lose the ability to breathe deeply. Loud and soft breathing supports this. 

3. Cognitive - memory. Their memory is enhanced while learning new songs. 

4 Emotional – they often chose the songs that take them back to a place to where they were in the past. Songs of someone who has passed away, or a wedding song.    

5.Social objectives – In addition to the group singing there is social time after every session. They make connections to each other, share resources for example workshops and artwork sharing. Shared experiences. 

What is the ultimate goal of the chorus?
Wellbeing.