FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Resounding Voices rehearsal like?
A: Rehearsals are where most of the "magic" takes place, where singers and their care partners experience joy, social interaction, and the satisfaction of working toward a goal. The chorus rehearses weekly for 10-12 week sessions. Each rehearsal lasts for two hours, including 30-40 minutes of social time before and after the working rehearsal.
Our staff or volunteers greet everyone warmly when they arrive and serve snacks and beverages. During social time, singers talk with other chorus members and volunteers. We have found that people with dementia, care partners and volunteers alike quickly form strong bonds during social time. Our director singing a few lines of a familiar song signals that social time is over and rehearsal is beginning. Typical rehearsal includes:
Opening ritual song and warm-up
Work repertoire
Stretch break and a familiar “Move & Groove” song
Announcements
Work repertoire
Closing ritual song
Q: Do I have to have previous musical experience or be able to read music?
A: No musical experience is required, and you don’t need to know how to read music to participate. The only requirement is a willingness to attend weekly rehearsals and make good music and good friends!
Q: How do you maintain a calm, structured environment during rehearsals?
A: Everyone understands the challenges singers are facing. Trained volunteer singers assist singers with dementia and help them manage their printed music, follow instructions, and generally make sure the rehearsal runs smoothly. The rehearsal environment is flexible, inclusive, and focused on the music, so singers can relax and simply enjoy singing. The motto at every rehearsal is “There’s no wrong in the room.”
Q: Do rehearsals feel like "Groundhog Day," with the chorus having to re-learn everything each week?
A: Like a rehearsal with any chorus, there is some repetition from week to week, but there is also a learning process that occurs over the entire span of weeks. Most singers practice at home during the week to retain what they have learned and to be prepared.
Q: How is this different than music therapy?
A: Resounding Voices is not a music therapy program. Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Q: How is this different than a sing-along?
A: Resounding Voices offers a unique depth of learning and participation. Sing-alongs use well-known songs and the participants sing only the melody. Resounding Voices involves both experiential and sequential learning. Most of the songs are in two- or three-part harmony.
Q: Why are Care Partners required to participate in the chorus too?
A: Providing a positive and joyful experience that people with dementia and their care partners can enjoy together is a key objective of the program. A care partner must accompany each singer with dementia. Care partners include spouses, friends, adult children or grandchildren, sisters or brothers, or any person whom the person living with dementia trusts and feels secure with. This person is also responsible for transporting the singer to and from rehearsals and concerts. Each care partner participates in the chorus as a singer. When possible, the singer with dementia will be assigned a volunteer who assists the singer during rehearsals and concerts so the care partner may simply enjoy the chorus experience.
Many care partners tell us that participating provides an activity both partners can enjoy together, and provides a shared point of reference and discussion topics throughout the week.
Q: Why is socializing such a big part of rehearsals:
A: The opportunity for singers to socialize informally before and after rehearsals is essential to the full chorus experience. For many singers, this will be their only social time of the week, and they value it dearly. We have found that singers with Alzheimer's also enjoy socially appropriate physical touch-shaking hands, welcoming hugs, holding an arm for support or a pat on the back for a job well done — all things that are often lost in the isolation of dementia.
Q: Why does the chorus give public performances?
A: Public performances by the chorus are important to the choral experience. First, they provide a goal and purpose for the chorus members. Second, they vividly demonstrate to family members, friends, and other audience members that many people with dementia can experience a sense of joy, community, and accomplishment that they never thought possible. Changing public perceptions of dementia and breaking down stigmas are important parts of creating a dementia-friendly community and improving the lives of those living with dementia.