ParkinSingers Group Fosters Community

 

The past year has brought its share of challenges for everyone, and the ParkinSingers choir in Cedar Rapids is no exception. Yet, despite the adversity, this group of individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their loved ones has continued to find community through music-making. 

ParkinSingers began several years ago and is one of multiple programs offered by the Cedar Rapids Metro Parkinson’s Association. From its founding until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, members of ParkinSingers met in person weekly to socialize, take part in vocal exercises, and sing familiar songs. Led by a board-certified music therapist, the group addresses non-musical goals related to areas of difficulty among those with Parkinson’s disease. These include physical objectives, such as increasing breath support and clarity of speech, as well as social and emotional objectives, such as having a creative outlet and forming community with others facing the same diagnosis. Kris Cameron, program director of the Cedar Rapids Metro Parkinson’s Association, agrees with the need for social support. “The social and emotional aspect is very important,” she says. “When we had in-person classes, they would always keep track of one another. If someone didn’t attend a class a couple of times, they’d ask if I had heard from the person… if they were ok.”

Research indicates that music therapy can positively impact those with Parkinson’s disease in many ways. In a 2017 study, Stegemoller et. al found that participants with Parkinson’s reported talking better and louder, sitting with better posture, and having greater stamina after participating in a group singing intervention. Similarly, Azekawa and Lagasse (2018) found individuals with Parkinson’s who participated in music therapy vocal exercises showed maintenance or improvement in vocal quality, articulation, and inter-word pause time. A 2012 study by Yinger and Lapointe found similar results; those who participated in a music therapy voice protocol showed significant increases in intensity of speech. Participants in this study also reported improved mood and decreased social isolation when participating in the music therapy group. The participants in the Cedar Rapids ParkinSingers group found similar results, as members Margaret and Chuck Felling say, “the sessions seem to help with vocal strength and perhaps with breath control.”

When COVID-19 made it unsafe to gather and sing together, ParkinSingers adapted. The group moved to a virtual format, meeting weekly over Zoom. There was a steep learning curve to acclimate to this new platform, including some unexpected curveballs like echoes, delays, using the mute button, and even sounds of pets or construction in the background. Then, once the group had settled into a new “normal”, the derecho hit in August. This caused property damage and internet outages that further complicated the ability to meet.

“What was even more difficult was seeing the impact that the lack of socialization had on the PD community,” says Kris Cameron. “A recent study showed that many people with PD saw declines in their physical, mental, and cognitive health due to the isolation of the pandemic.” However, the group showed flexibility and resilience in the face of this adversity, continuing to meet throughout 2020 and now into 2021.  

The group currently meets on Tuesday afternoons for 45-minute sessions. Each session begins with some informal socialization and chatting about everyday things, such as weather, baking, or current events. Then, participants move on to physical stretches, accompanied by music that reflects the motion of the stretch. Breathing exercises come next, which enable participants to practice filling their lungs with air and expelling it in a relaxed manner. The group then moves into a variety of vocal warm-ups, including: sirens, which involve vocalizing from low to high and back to low; sustaining a pitch for a given interval of time (usually 5-10 seconds); articulation exercises that include repeating consonant syllables and combining consonants; and tongue twisters.

Once warmed up, the group moves into singing familiar songs, which vary from week to week and are usually centered around a theme. These songs are a mixture of slower songs, which address breath support and sustained phrases, and faster songs, which address articulation and clarity of lyrics. Some members of the group are experienced singers and harmonize throughout, such as Leanne Mallory and her sister Gloria Drapac. Leanne says, “Gloria and I love to sing and, as children, our mom taught us to harmonize. We sang with Mom on long car trips as a way to keep car sickness at bay!” Others partake for the exercise and joy of making music together. Currently, members are muted throughout most of the singing, which creates a zero-pressure environment to make music just for fun! 

This virtual format has also led to some unexpected positives. “I’ve had people who couldn’t attend the in-person classes due to transportation issues or they live too far from CR and IC. They’ve been able to attend Zoom classes!” said Kris Cameron. “That makes me so happy that we can reach those who aren’t in our immediate area!”

As the group looks forward to the coming months and years, they are optimistic about vaccines and the start of spring. They look forward to the day when they may once again be able to return to making music together, in the same room. Leanne says, “We have had a lot of fun, made some new friends, and look forward to being able to have face-to-face sessions soon.” But, until that day, they are grateful for the community and enjoyment they have been able to maintain throughout this uncertain year! “The PD community is like a large family and we’re here for one another,” says Kris Cameron.

*If you would like more information about this group or are interested in joining us, please contact Hayley at hgraham@westmusic.com. If you’re interested in learning more about the Cedar Rapids Metro Parkinson’s Association, you can visit their website: http://www.crmetroparkinsons.com/