When people are first diagnosed with a brain condition, they may not consider joining a choir to improve their wellbeing and regain their voice.

But as our research shows, there’s a strong link between singing in a choir and self-reported quality of life for people with brain injuries and dementia – as high as for community choir members without communication disabilities.

The University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research launched the CeleBRation Choir almost two decades ago to help stroke survivors and adults with other brain conditions through voice exercises and singing of familiar songs.

Singing in this choir has helped people overcome difficulties with speech, language, voice and memory.

Brain conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia often impair people’s ability to communicate. This can undermine their confidence and ability to connect with others.

They are still the same person, but they might be treated differently and many become socially isolated because others can find it hard to talk with someone who can’t easily respond.

Singing in a neurological choir – a singing group designed for individuals living with acquired brain injuries and neurodegenerative........

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