Start a chorus for people living with Alzheimer's in your community
Thinking about starting an Alzheimer’s chorus? Let’s get started!
Thinking about starting a dementia choir or Giving Voice style chorus in your community? we are here for you! We want to see everyone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia have the opportunity to benefit from the power of music, especially singing, on brain health, emotional health, and physical health.
Simply put, music is a path to wellbeing.
Here’s the rundown.
- We sing in three-part harmony, but there are no auditions.
- We believe that music is for everyone and that everyone is a singer, no matter what we’ve been told in the past. You don’t need to be a great singer. We sing together.
- We don’t ask about a diagnosis, just what’s needed to have a successful experience. When we ask people why they love Giving Voice, they tell us it’s about more than the music. “It’s a place where I can just be myself.” It’s about seeing the person, not a diagnosis
- Our choruses are created for people who are still living in the community, and are in the earlier to mid stages of dementia. People are often able to continue to sing with the chorus throughout their Alzheimer’s journey, if they have been singing with us for awhile.
- We choose to focus on what’s possible. Simply by singing, our dementia choirs break down the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s. Through our public performances, our singers are changing the narrative around what it means to live well with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
- Music’s impact on the brain is astounding, but the neurological and psychological benefits are even greater when we make music. When we share music by singing together, that’s beyond measure. We become a community, “a chorus family”
- Everyone can benefit from the power of music. Singing is a great way to spend time together. So, encourage people living with Alzheimer’s to sign up with a care-partner. In addition, having a care-partner makes it easier to keep singing over time.
- At a time when doors are closing, ours is always open. Dementia choirs like ours are a place of laughter, friendships, and (of course!) singing.
Who can start a chorus?
Anyone! Seriously, anyone can start a chorus. We’ve seen successful Giving Voice style dementia choirs started by choral directors, music therapists, and community volunteers with no musical background.
Read on for tips and suggestions that will guide you in starting a successful chorus for people with dementia in your community.
Become a part of a worldwide movement
We’ll be there for you. Starting with our toolkit, we’ll be there to guide you in launching and sustaining a chorus that changes lives and impacts your community. Have questions? We have answers. From how to make sure your chorus is dementia inclusive to estimating the cost. If you’re thinking about starting a chorus, we would love to hear from you!
Let’s get started!
Let’s stay connected. Sign up for our GVI Choral Community Newsletter here, and we’ll keep you up to date on news, research, and events in our Choral Community.
Giving Voice and dementia choirs like ours are a place of joy, belonging, and purpose. Giving Voice choruses are created for people living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia and a care partner.