Thank you for your interest in the Parkinson's Choir!
Our choir is hosted by Soundscaping Source, in partnership with Westchester Village of Lenexa and the Lenexa Senior Center, with grant funding by the Parkinson’s Foundation.
We meet at the Lenexa Senior Center and on Zoom, every Tuesday from 10:45-11:45.
Read more about the choir or fill out the form below.
Fill out the form below to request your free information packet or join the choir:
What is this choir all about?
The board-certified music therapist who facilitates the choir structures rehearsals and choir activities to address needs that are common among people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners.
Our online resources and the materials included in this packet address these goals as well.
Here are the goals we focus on in this choir:
- Maintain vocal and speaking skills (strength and endurance)
- Maintain and improve posture
- Build friendships and community
- Stay mentally sharp
- Have fun making music
Important note: We are here for connection and fun, not for perfect performances. No musical expertise or experience is required for participation in the choir. You don’t have to do an audition or sing a solo (unless you want to!)
If it feels good to sing, and it helps you live better with Parkinson’s disease, then let’s sing!
Ready to get started? Here’s how.
Access resources online:
- Fill out the form at the top of this page to request your information packet, or call us at (913) 548-7169.
- Join the FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkinsonschoir/
What materials do you need?
- A computer or device with a camera and microphone
- Internet connection
- Email address
- Your love of music!
Join our choir rehearsals:
- Where: Zoom (online video conferencing)
- When: Tuesdays at 11-12
- Email Anastasia at [email protected] to sign up or call 913-548-7169
- Performances are planned for winter and summer, with details to be determined based on social distancing needs.
What to expect during choir rehearsals:
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- You’ll get an email the day before and at the time of the choir rehearsal
- Click the link in your email to log onto Zoom
- Need help getting on Zoom? We’ll help! Call (913) 548-7169 and ask for Emily.
During the rehearsals:
- Greet fellow choir members
- Stretch and do gentle vocal warm-ups
- Try out tongue twisters and fun tunes that provide opportunities for enunciation practice
- Sing songs we enjoy
- Get out our kazoos and try not to giggle!
- Pick and practice songs for the performance
- Share memories and chat with fellow choir members
Note: Lyrics and tongue twisters will be posted in the Facebook group, and displayed on screen during rehearsals.
After rehearsals:
- Practice your singing and stretching with the warm-up videos below
- Try out the tongue twisters
- Use the How To Videos to find your favorite songs online to sing along with.
Make Music Now!
Tips for making music at home:
- Put on your favorite tune and sing along!
- Find a jar of dried beans or coffee beans and shake it along to the music.
- Kazoo along to a song or play name that tune, playing the song with your kazoo.
- Play name that tune or artist with your favorite radio station, CD, or digital playlist on shuffle.
Try out these fun tongue twisters to practice enunciation!
- Eleven benevolent elephants (x3)
- Ingenious iguanas improvising an intricate impromptu on impossibly-impractical instruments.
- He threw three free throws
How to play your kazoo:
- Practice humming with mouth closed
- Make an O shape with your mouth and blow out air
- Add sound with O shape making an extended “ooo” sounding note
- Put the large ended opening of the kazoo to your mouth, and make the “ooo” sound while gently blowing air through the kazoo.
- Try ‘ooo’-ing the notes of a song you know, (ex. You are my Sunshine) then add the kazoo
- For a video demonstration, check out the included DVD.
Get Started with Videos
These are the same videos included on the DVD with the information packet.
Use these to warm up your voice and your body gently. Then you'll be ready to sing and kazoo!