Saanich choir creates community through music for people with memory loss

Voices in Motion is an intergenerational choir helping Greater Victoria resident dealing with memory loss. (Photo courtesy of Voices in Motion) Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... A Victoria choir is preparing to begin a new season of bringing people living with memory loss, their care partners and community members together through music. Voices in Motion, an intergenerational choir, will begin its fall season Sept. 16 at Sacred Heart Church and Sept. 18 at the University of Victoria's Multifaith Centre. The choir is looking for more 'duets' – a person experiencing memory loss and their care partner – to join its weekly 90-minute rehearsals. No previous singing or choir experience is required. The group performs a mix of classic hits, jazz favourites, contemporary songs and other music under the direction of new music director Annika Sauser. Voices in Motion was launched in January 2018 as a multidisciplinary research project involving the University of Victoria's nursing, psychology, sociology and music programs. Research from the project found that music and group singing can help foster social connections among people living with dementia and support their overall health and well-being. The choir also aims to address social isolation and loneliness, which can be particularly challenging for older adults living with memory loss and their care partners. For longtime chorister Margot, the weekly rehearsals have become a source of joy for her partner. 'Every Friday morning, September through May, for the past six years, I have witnessed her joy and excitement when I tell her it's a choir day,' Margot said. She described the choir as a place where her partner can participate without feeling the need to hide her memory loss or confusion. 'It's a place of joyful singing, learning and community,' she said. 'A place where she doesn't have to try to cover her memory loss and confusion, where she can relax and just be herself.' Those interested in joining can attend a Voices in Motion rehearsal to try it out. For more information, visit voicesinmotionchoirs.org.