The choir helping people with brain injuries find their voice
Every Friday at The Glasshouse, an extraordinary group of people come together to sing in a choir. They all have two things in common: a condition called Acquired Aphasia and a love of singing.
Acquired Aphasia can happen after a stroke or brain injury and can make it difficult to communicate by talking, writing and reading.
Lindsey, from Sunderland, loved her work as a music teacher. A decade ago, she suffered a brain haemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm and spent months in hospital. The Glasshouse’s Magenta Singers is for people who have acquired aphasia, and Lindsey has been coming for over 8 years.
“’I like the range of music, and it gives me a way to communicate,” she says. “If it hadn’t been for the choir, I wouldn’t be able to sing, and I’ve always loved singing.”
Kerry Green, choir leader, says:
“Aphasia comes from damage to one side of the brain, usually the left, which controls our words and language system, but our melodic music centre is stored on our right side.”
“People who struggle to form words can often sing the words to familiar songs. The melody carries the words through a different brain route,” says Kerry. “It doesn’t improve speech, but it gives the person a break from struggling to utter words.
The choir sing pop, blues and folk songs. That includes everything from the Beatles to songs from musicals. They develop vocal skills and breathing. It’s a friendly, supportive group, with an uplifting atmosphere. And best of all, you don’t need any singing experience to join Magenta Singers.
Group members and their families have become good friends. They’re often spotted together in The Glasshouse café before and after class.
“None of the people in this choir thought they’d be as good as they are,” Kerry says. “It’s great seeing the group realise singing songs can help express themselves, even though they can find conversation challenging.”
“I’d encourage anybody who has experienced a stroke or brain injury to come along and experience the benefits of group singing,” says Kerry.
The Magenta Singers work with the North East Trust for Aphasia Support Centre in Newcastle.
Is the choir for you? Join them every Friday during term time, 1-2.30pm. Find out more.