Giving Voice Initiative

Why can music still feel familiar, even when memory changes? 🎵🧠

Music is deeply connected to emotion, identity, and meaningful life moments 💜 A familiar song can bring back a feeling, a person, or a sense of connection — even when words are harder to find.

That is one reason music can be such a powerful tool in dementia care and connection 🤝

What song feels familiar to you or someone you love? 🎶

Reference: Matziorinis AM, Koelsch S. The promise of music therapy for Alzheimer's disease: A review. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2022;1516(1):11-17. doi:10.1111/nyas.14864

Check out this great article featuring ENCORE in Rochester, NY—a Giving Voice Network choir based out of Eastman Community Music School (ECMS) at Eastman School of Music.

In the article, singer Kathy Grunow shares how her mom, Nancy Liperote, experiences the choir:

“She doesn’t have to struggle with learning new words or recalling new notes, rhythms, phrases, so she could be, I think, more in the moment and just capture the joy, the memories of that particular song,” the 64-year-old said. “It brings me a sense of hope that she’s still enjoying life and able to do some of the things that she loved doing as a younger person.”

Thanks to Mike Costanza at 55 Plus: For Active Adults in Rochester for sharing this lovely story.

https://roc55.com/raising-their-voices-in-song-2/

Congratulations to our third cohort of Rural Initiative grantees! We're so excited to help bring joy and empowerment to your communities this fall.

Fergus Falls, MN - (choir name coming soon)

Hurley, WI - Harmony on Silver

Owatonna, MN - (choir name coming soon)

Richland Center, WI - (choir name coming soon)

River Falls, WI - Side by Side Memory Choir

Sheboygan, WI - (choir name coming soon)

There’s a moment before each Giving Voice Chorus concert that is truly special but easy to overlook.

It’s the moment that each singer in the choir sees one of their friends, family members, or other loved ones in the audience. And because it’s a warm and open environment they greet each other, on stage or off.

💜 Any other favorite moments out there?