Finding Your Voice…
By Cynthia Friesen
Quiet space with no distractions: ✔️
Two electronic devices: ✔️
Headphones: ✔️
Song sheets: ✔️
Voice warmed up: ✔️
Teeth brushed and camera ready: ✔️
Throughout the month of September, over 200 people tackled these steps and submitted a video of themselves singing “We Find Our Voice,” written by American composer Jeanie Adamson. Those who submitted will be a part of a global virtual choir celebration marking the 15th anniversary of the Parkinson Voice Project (PVP).
PVP is a non-profit organization that was started by a speech therapist who, after personally facing the challenge of a communication disorder, developed therapies to address speech and swallowing issues. She is based in Texas, but over the past 15 years, she has enabled people with Parkinson’s Disease to speak and sing with intent well beyond the state’s border.
As the facilitator of our music programs at the BC Brain Wellness Program, I am honoured to be one of the hundreds participating in the virtual choir performance production of “We Find Our Voice,” which will be released as part of the anniversary celebration on November 7th.
Our musical participants are also learning this original composition so they can add their voices to this amazing project. In the coming weeks, we will delve into a musical study of how to effectively express the lyrics and shape the song’s phrases.
When we express ourselves with spoken and sung words, we forge connections and build confidence in communicating with one another.
Please join us as together, collectively ...we find our voice.