WollCon’s Singing Bushlarks will be performing at a dementia forum next week. Photo: Supplied.
Wollongong Conservatorium of Music’s (WollCon) new group the Singing Bushlarks was formed to support those living with dementia physically and emotionally but has fast expanded beyond that.
During Dementia Action Week this week (16-22 September), WollCon music therapist Janet Andrews said the group would take to the stage on 25 September, leading a singalong during the Illawarra Dementia Public Forum in Fairy Meadow.
Janet said while the group only formed last term and was still small, it was growing beyond those living with dementia, with members including a young woman with intellectual disabilities, and carers of people with dementia who find joy and solace in the music themselves.
“One of them lost her husband last year and it’s a really lovely connection for her to be able to just sing it out,” she said.
“She said she’s never sung in a choir before – she’s always poo-pooed the idea – and she just loves it.
“It’s helping her breathing and it’s helping her grieving, because she’s opening her voice which is really quite beautiful.”
She said the impact it was having on all participants, but particularly those living with dementia and their carers, was profound.
“The routine is really wonderful, and I’ve heard that from the carers as well,” she said.
“The impact on the carers is something that’s often not realised.
“You can see it on the carers’ faces; they absolutely love seeing their loved one singing, laughing and playing instruments in that different light.
“Instead of them being forgetful or being distressed, they’re actually sitting and having a great time for an hour or so.”
She said one of the participant’s daughters was an Illawarra geriatrician who specialised in dementia but started coming to bring her mother.
“She said, ‘I’m getting a lot out of this as well. I want to pay for myself, not just my mum,'” she said.
Janet said many danced during songs like Blue Suede Shoes, which was also good for their breathing.
“Physically it’s a great thing for them to be singing, emotionally it’s a great outlet for them as well, but it’s great for the carers too and they get a lot from it,” she said.
Janet said some participants even played percussion instruments, while others were able to tell stories around particular songs.
She said members requested the songs to perform, with the repertoire ranging from Scottish tunes to rock and musicals.
“We’ve got a book they read the lyrics from, we have a music stand so they don’t have to hold their books, and we’ve got big print so they can read it easily,” she said.
“We usually start with Oh, What A Beautiful Morning, because it’s usually a beautiful morning here on the grounds and then we sing whatever songs they choose.
“We’ve got Blue Suede Shoes and Rock Around the Clock, and Loch Lomond and Danny Boy.”
She said other favourites were Stand By Me, Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen and Georgie Girl.
“People might not feel like singing the one song or they don’t know that song, and they sit and listen,” she said.
“There’s a couple of songs that usually bring tears to the eyes of different people, but that’s OK. We sing through that and we talk about that.
“We sometimes get the same story over and over about a particular song from someone, but that’s just part of the process.”
She said at previous Illawarra Dementia Public Forums, herself and fellow music therapist Rowena Harris had conducted singalongs for attendees, but this time it would be led by the Singing Bushlarks’ members.
The forum, which will include experts discussing the latest advancements in dementia research and care, will be held at The Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow on 25 September from 9:30 am to 3 pm.
The Singing Bushlarks meet each Friday with free tea, coffee and biscuits included and all singing abilities and ages are welcome to join.
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