LEBANON — People who have the speech loss disorder known as aphasia and their caregivers are invited to participate in a new singing group being formed by two area organizations.
The Upper Valley Music Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center are teaming up to form the Aphasia Choir of the Upper Valley, according to a news release from the Lebanon-based music school. The choir will meet for rehearsals at DHMC from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursdays from Sept. 11 through Dec. 18. Registration is required at uvmusic.org/news/classes/aphasia-choir-of-the-upper-valley by Sept. 2. No prior singing experience is required for the free program.
Music therapist and voice instructor Allison Pollard will lead the choir. People can develop aphasia after suffering from a stroke or a traumatic brain injury. While those with aphasia can struggle to speak, “some retain their ability to sing which can be a powerful tool in
the rehabilitation of speech,” according to the news release. “Furthermore, group singing has been shown to increase social engagement, self-confidence and mood for people with aphasia and their caregivers.”
Editor’s note: This brief has been updated to reflect updated registration deadlines and program dates for the Aphasia Choir.