Therapeutic Choir

Improving your voice and vocal strength through singing

When it comes to communicating, our voice is one of the most valuable tools we have. Certain medical conditions can affect the volume, tone and strength of your voice as well as the muscle and breath control needed to make your voice heard and understood. Speech or voice therapy are often recommended to help people with these conditions.

Designed by a speech and language pathologist, the Henry Ford Motor City Upbeats therapeutic choir offers patients the opportunity to apply and practice the techniques learned during voice therapy in a fun, supportive environment.

Led by an experienced vocal performer and singing instructor, members work on vocal strength, vocal range and breath control by singing popular songs from different eras, incorporating the tools and methods learned in therapy along with new exercises. Rehearsals often incorporate light stretches and gentle body movements combined with vocal exercises to engage the entire body in singing. Caregivers, friends or family members may also join the choir to support their loved one.

Conditions that benefit from therapeutic singing

Therapeutic singing may benefit people with variety of medical or neurological conditions that impact their voice, including:

• Parkinson’s disease
• COVID-19 recovery
• COPD
• Multiple sclerosis
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Stroke
• Vocal fold paralysis or vocal fold bowing
• Any medical or neurological conditions that cause shortness of breath

Is therapeutic singing right for me?

You do not need choir experience or know how to sing to join the Upbeats – just enjoy music and singing in a group. The choir is open to anyone with a medical or neurological condition that affects their voice. There are many reasons to consider joining – especially if you:

• Have a breathy voice
• Have a raspy voice
• Have a harsh or strained voice
• Struggle with a quiet voice
• Often need to repeat yourself because people can’t hear you
• Find it difficult to coordinate breathing and speaking

How to join the choir

There is no cost to participate. For more information, contact us at (248) 661-7241 or by email.

Support the Motor City Upbeats

You can support the therapeutic choir by making a donation to the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Program Fund.

DONATE TODAY