Main Street Terrace’s choir part of music therapy program
Tuesday June 21, 2011 -- Lisa Bailey
 
Main Street Terrace’s Revera Ringers sound the bell on the ability to be found in long-term care residents and the importance of community outreach.

For approximately four years, the bell choir has performed at the Toronto home and at various local events.

Most recently, they headed around the corner to Kimberley Public School/Beaches Alternative School. The Ringers were returning the favour after the school’s choir visited Main Street Terrace a few weeks ago.

Program manager Lori Jones-Chizewski says the choir received a standing ovation at the school. They presented “God Save the Queen” and a few Harry Belafonte numbers before opening the floor to questions from the children.

“The kids were thrilled by the choir and gave them lots of applause,” Jones-Chizewski says, adding the pride felt by the Ringers showed on their faces as the children took interest in them.

The choir has also appeared at area churches and seniors’ dinners put on by two secondary schools. They’ve also performed at Toronto Intergenerational Partnerships’ annual general meeting.

Formed under the Revera Inc. home’s music-therapy program led by Shirley Khalil, the choir has a goal of connecting with the community.

“They always say to me, ‘Lori, when are you going to get us an agent?’ because they feel so proud, and we say how proud we are of them,” Jones-Chizewski says.

This sense of self-esteem is one of the therapeutic benefits of the choir.

Jones-Chizewski notes that there is a goal for each of the 11 members, such as enhancing communication skills or helping maintain concentration and functions.

“When you’re part of a group, it makes you feel part of the community, and a love of music is something you can share together,” she says.

“It seems to really bring enjoyment to residents and they say, ‘look what we can do.’”

Adding to this sense of purpose and their ability to reach younger audiences is the choir’s willingness to work with newer music and be creative. At Main Street Terrace’s recent volunteer appreciation luncheon, for example, they wrote a volunteer tribute to the music of the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, following the event’s British theme.

Their frequent interaction with children shows that seniors like to have fun, too, and share the same interests and abilities in music.

The Revera Ringers, who were named by a resident, faithfully rehearse every Friday. They will soon break for the summer then, as of September, begin working towards several presentations for the year to come.