A MUSIC teacher behind a new Sydney choir hopes to strike a chord with people with dementia and their carers.
Choral specialist Bronwyn Hendy has started a dementia-friendly choir, the Good Life Chorus, in West Ryde with a special focus on bringing the joy of music to people with dementia, their carers and supporters.
“Dementia can be quite isolating, and singing in a choir is fantastic for a sense of wellbeing,” Bronwyn said.
While belting out tunes together can reduce stress and symptoms of depression, she said group singing has also been shown to improve quality of life for people with dementia.
The new community singing group is modelled on Canberra’s Alchemy Chorus, which was formed with about 50 singers late last year by Bronwyn’s friend and conductor Brian Triglone, and has the backing of the Sydney Welsh Choir.
It is primarily aimed at people with early to mid-stage dementia who are still living independently at home.
“While support of people with dementia and their carers is a particular focus, the choir will be open to anyone who loves to sing,” Bronwyn said.
The main difference between the Good Life Chorus and a mainstream choir will be the pace of the one-hour rehearsals and the repertoire.
“In rehearsals, each song will be sung a couple of times, and we will sing songs from the 1950s and ’60s – songs that most of the group will probably remember from their younger years.”
With a background in piano and choral teaching, Bronwyn also completed a Massive Open Online Course, Understanding Dementia, run by the University of Tasmania.
As well as picking her friend Brian’s brain for musical tips on running a dementia-friendly choir, she has also been offered support from a retired pianist and a University of Western Sydney music therapy student.
The choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 1pm at West Ryde Community Hall, 3-5 Anthony Rd.
