Parkinson’s Disease Hospital Chorus Expands Amid COVID-19
Sing Loud for PD, a specialized chorus for those living with Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers, has increased in participants even amid its switch to a virtual setting due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Having originally met in-person, this program now uses the popular video conferencing software, Zoom to conduct its online sessions.
Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic progressive neurological disorder. With about one million people living with PD, it is the second most common after Alzheimer's Disease.
The growth of this program
Sponsored by the American Parkinson Disease Association, Sing Loud for PD has been able to grow rapidly in size, according to Administrator for the Center of Parkinson’s Disease at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Sarah Cohen.
“It is because of their outreach that we’ve been able to provide this program to so many people across the country and now even internationally,” says Cohen.
Going into its third year, Sing Loud for PD has recently connected with more people than ever before. Once only able to host 10 to 20 singers, this program has now grown to an average of 80 to 100 singers on a weekly basis. Additionally, concentrated mostly in local Long Island, Sing Loud for PD has expanded to all 50 states, as well as Canada and the British Isles.
“Of these 80 to 100 participants, only about 20 to 30 are local,” says Cohen.
The class breakdown
Aside from having fun and creating a sense of community, this program, run by Music Director Valerie DiLorenzo, aims to help those living with PD physically.
“It is a singing program and everything is based on their breath and getting their entire body involved in the process of singing,” says DiLorenzo.
Each session starts with a full body, head-to-toe warmup that singers can perform either sitting down or standing up. It helps improve their posture, breathways and gives an overall sense of well-being, according to DiLorenzo.
“The breath is essential not only for singing, but for speaking and in everyday life,” says DiLorenzo.
Following the stretch, the singing commences, according to Assistant Music Director Amanda Jones. DiLorenzo and her singers, ranging from novice to advanced, perform anywhere from six to eight songs per week. Each week serves its own theme whether Hollywood, Broadway, USA or even the seasons.
In order to work around the constraints of a virtual setting, DiLorenzo has singers mute their computer microphones while she instructs the class and provides musical accompaniment.
“I would say there was a learning curve but, honestly I feel like we embraced it,” says DiLorenzo.
Connecting via online
Though participants cannot hear one another for a majority of the class, that doesn’t stop them from connecting.
“There will be a particular song and they hug each other [while] laughing and singing,” says Cohen.
The “Chat” feature on Zoom is another way in which members bond. This element, special to an online setting, has opened yet another way for singers to be engaging and involved.
“They’re animated together and it is this most amazing shared experience that we witness every week,” says Cohen.
“We would say at one point that nothing could replace live, but there is a magical piece that’s happening where people are connecting with us from a much larger demographic,” says DiLorenzo.
The impact of Sing Loud for PD
From the response this program has gotten, it’s evident that Sing Loud for PD is very meaningful for many. Cohen has received several emails from singers and their loved ones who are very grateful for this program, as there are no other PD specific programs in their area.
“They are all saying to us, even when we are past the COVID-19 era, please don't disappear,” says Cohen.
“It’s more than singing, it’s part of a community,” says DiLorenzo.