Singing for health in Institute of Oncology in Gliwice, Poland
One of the events to be carried out by the Chórtownia Foundation in cooperation with the Upper Silesian Oncology Foundation operating for the Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Institute of Oncology in Gliwice will be the “Singing for health” vocal workshop - pilot choir rehearsals for oncology patients and their families.
The so-called “cancer choirs” act as support for oncology patients and their families. There are cancer choirs in the United Kingdom (e.g. in Sheffield) and in other countries. Oncology patients suffer very often from depression (in many cases it is one of the reasons - psychosomatic - for cancer). Therefore, in order to improve their mood, we want to invite them to sing together. Scientific research confirm the beneficial effects of collective singing on health, including mental health. The list of such studies can be found, for example, on the website of the European Choral Association, the largest European organization dealing with choral singing, at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17GGqRDercBznwugj_hHllpCrcnsk8ctC2Z0jv9rOosE/edit?gid=0#gid=0
They are also collected and presented on the website https://europeanchoralassociation.org/benefitsofsinging/ under the hashtag #BenefitsOfSinging.
“Singing for Health” is the initiative of creating a choir for oncology patients and their families and friends with some rehearsals in October 2024, each consisting of warming up and working with the repertoire. After this pilot period, the Upper Silesian Oncology Foundation will make decision to continue or suspend rehearsals of the choir thus established.
As part of the campaign, 4 rehearsals will be held:
on Tuesday, October 8
on Friday, October 11
on Tuesday, October 15
on Friday, October 18
Class hours: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Rehearsal plan:
- singing for 30 minutes
- repertoire for 90 minutes
We plan to work with various repertoire, depending on the level of musical preparation of the participants. There will be well-known popular and folk songs, but also songs from other countries, as well as canons. We have already selected some of the songs from among 50 songs for which the Chórtownia Foudation has developed educational materials as part of the #całaPolskaŚpiewawDomu project carried out during the pandemic in 2020. These pieces can be found on the playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnGO5TT_aWRPxXARx8ut8kBxZP0se-Zl0 .
To participate in the classes, you do not need to bring anything with you, just show up. Each participant will receive printed materials and links to the pieces being worked on after the classes. The classes are free of charge.
Teachers:
Gabriela Majerowska, student of music therapy and choral conducting at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice and volunteer of the Upper Silesian Oncology Foundation
Justyna Dziuma, president of the Chórtownia Foundation, experienced chorister and initiator of the campaign, attendee of the Kodaly Institute of the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music in Hungary seminars.
REGISTRATION
We want to prepare well for this event, which is why registration is required. Please apply via the form available at:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Ntkc56Qfa0….
Support
The organization of these classes and the entire campaign “Music - Support for People in Depression” would not be possible without financial support. We would like to thank the following companies and organizations for the funds provided:
