Neurological Choirs & Singing Groups
Group singing can support people living with a neurological condition, such as post-stroke aphasia, Parkinson’s, dementia, traumatic brain injury, and more. Singing together is fun and supports wellbeing, social connections, and communication (voice, speech, language, memory).
Our strengths-based approach requires no prior experience – our members include people who have always regarded themselves as singers and those who definitely don’t! Give it a go!
Some neuro choirs and singing groups are for people with a specific condition, while others include participants with a variety of needs. Some welcome partners, carers or other companions, with singing offering enjoyable shared experiences while others provide a respite break for whānau/carers. Some focus on the group experience, while others include concerts and community performances in their calendar.
Programmes usually include warm-ups and exercises, and a wide variety of songs to meet participants’ interests, create connections between people, and address specific needs or goals.
Watch Connecting Communities: Music Therapy NZ’s short video about neurological choirs (launched in Music Therapy Week 2019), featuring the Cantabrainers Choir and the SoundsWell Singers. (Content warning: mention of suicide at the start.)
Some neuro choirs and singing groups are for people with a specific condition, while others include participants with a variety of needs. Some welcome partners, carers or other companions, with singing offering enjoyable shared experiences while others provide a respite break for whānau/carers. Some focus on the group experience, while others include concerts and community performances in their calendar.
Registered Music Therapists have specialist training and skills to lead neurological choirs and singing groups. We also recognise that this is a shared interprofessional field of interest. We enthusiastically support collaborative practice, and music therapists may be available to offer consultative support to other practitioners.
If you are a Registered Music Therapist facilitating a choir or group that you would like to list here, please let us know: info@musictherapy.org.nz
If you can’t find a group in your area, contact Music Therapy NZ: info@musictherapy.org.nz and/or the CBR Neurological Singing, Choir and Voice Network.
Music Therapist-Led Choirs and Groups
Auckland
The CeleBRation Choir is an initiative of the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) at The University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau. The Centre for Brain Research, the CeleBRation Choir aims to bring together researchers, clinicians and the community, and fosters communication, social connections, and interdisciplinary research. The Choir meets on Monday afternoons on campus or in community venues, led by Alison Talmage NZ RMTh and/or Jenny Gordon NZ RMTh, and hosts student placements for the Master of Music Therapy programme (NZ School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington) and Master of Dance Movement Therapy (Dance Studies, Faculty of Arts, The University of Auckland).
Info: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/cbr-choir
https://www.facebook.com/CeleBRationChoirNZ/
E: cbrchoir@auckland.ac.nz
A website under development. will publish key information about The VOCCAL Handbook for Neurological Choirs, based on Alison Talmage’s PhD research.
Sing, They All Said, Just Sing is a short documentary film about the CeleBRation Choir (Director: Sakshi Chadha). The film is named after a poem by choir member, Roger Hicks, published in Tales from the Music Therapy Room (ed. Claire Molyneux).
Celebration, composed by jazz musician and composer, Ben Fernandez for the CeleBRation Choir, is a reminder that music kept us going during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sing Up Rodney (Orewa, North Auckland), led by Alison Talmage NZ RMTh, meets on Thursday mornings during school terms, usually in the Orewa Scout Hall by the beach.
Sing Up Rodney is managed by the Kahikatea Music Therapy and Community Arts Trust. Contact the Trust about additional projects in Warkworth.
Wairarapa
Wairarapa Neurological Singing Group
In the Wairarapa, people living with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions attend a weekly singing group, led by Pip Algie NZ RMTh. The group offers a creative, therapeutic space where participants can strengthen their voice and breathing, improve movement and coordination, boost mood and confidence, and stay connected with others through purposeful music-making. We draw from the LSVT Loud voice therapy approach, and while there’s plenty of fun and laughter, the sessions are designed to support physical, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing.
Held in Greytown at the South Wairarapa Working Men’s Club, this group runs weekly during school terms at 10am on Wednesdays, and is proudly supported by Parkinson’s Wairarapa. Thanks to the St John’s Health Shuttle, transport is available for non-drivers, helping to make this a accessible, low-barrier service.
Wellington
SoundsWell Singers, led by Megan Glass NZ RMTh and Penny Warren NZ RMTh, welcome members from the greater Wellington region on Friday mornings in St John’s Church hall, Bassett Rd, Johnsonville. Sessions run from 10.30am-12:00pm, and include a break for a delicious morning tea provided by Good Bitches Baking (a highlight for many!)
We are very excited to be celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2025, and are looking forward to many more years of great music and great company!
Info: facebook.com/SoundsWell-Singers-705452049615491
E: soundswellsingers@gmail.com
Pito-One Harmony Singers, led by Rani Alllan, is a community social group aimed at supporting carers and those living with dementia. We are a caring, thoughtful, supportive group that understands the impact this disease can have on lives. We celebrate each other’s strengths, laugh at the difficult times, and lift each other up. The music therapy focuses on enhancing cognitive function and fostering a sense of connection with others. We meet every fortnight at Petone Baptist Church, right next to the fountain, at 2:30 till 4pm.
Nelson
NelSONG Wellness Singers, led by Colette Jansen NZ RMTh, meet at Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (NCMA) 48 Nile Street, on Wednesday mornings during school terms. NelSONG is based on the neurological choir model – creating a social group based around singing for health and community wellness. NelSONG supports people living in the community with a neurological condition, stress and anxiety, or anyone wanting to connect with others through singing.
Info: https://www.creativemusicenterprises.co.nz facebook.com/colettejansenmusic/
E: cme.creativemusic@gmail.com
Ph : 021 644618
Book a free taster session by calling NCMA (03 548 9477).
Canterbury
Cantabrainers Choir welcomes members in the Canterbury region and meets during the school terms. Cantabrainers is co-led by a NZ RMTh and a speech-language therapist. Cantabrainers meet in two locations – Christchurch City and North Canterbury. The City Choir meets on Wednesday mornings, and is led by Kimberley Wade NZ RMTh and Ruth Flynn SLT. The North Canterbury Choir meets on Tuesday afternoons and is led by May Clulee NZ RMTh and Ruth Flynn SLT.
Info: https://www.cantabrainerschoir.nz/
facebook.com/cantabrainerschoir
E: gm@therapychoirs.org.nz
Connections Choir, for people living with dementia, is a partnership with Dementia Canterbury. This choir meets twice a month at the Braintree Wellness Centre, Christchurch.
All three Canterbury choirs (Canabrainers City, North Canterbury, and Connections) are managed by the Cantabrainers Therapeutic Choir Charitable Trust.
Other Groups
Tauranga
Brainwave Singers, founded by speech-language therapist Dr Robin Matthews, who (now retired) holds a consultative role. The Choir is now member-led by David Munro, with volunteer pianist Cindy Hill-Rennie. Brain wave Singers meet on Wednesday mornings at the Greerton Citizens Hall, Maitland Street, Greerton, Tauranga. Robin’s doctoral research highlighted significant benefits of group singing for participants with Parkinson’s.
The Brainwave Singers are connected with the Centre for Brain Research (also home of the CeleBRation Choir) through the research of speech-language therapist, Dr Robin Matthews. PhD research by Dr Robin Matthews SLT about the benefits of group singing for people living with Parkinsons.
Listen to our signature song, Never Say Never,
by Charlie Stubbings.
Research & Evidence-Based Practice
Publications List
This resource is being developed and will be shared here soon and regularly updated.
If you have suggestions for this resource or need specific information, please email info@musictherapy.org.nz or alison@musictherapy.org.nz
Audio-Visual Resources
Neurological Choirs Connecting Communities (MThNZ video, Dir.: Louise Pattinson, 2019)
Sing, They All Said, Just Sing
(short documentary film, Dir.: Sakshi Chadha, 2019)
Together in Sound: A Journey with Dementia
(UK, 2020) – note, not a choir, but a music therapy group in the community that includes singing, led by music therapist & researcher Claire Molyneux
Singing-Related Organisations & Resources
CBR Neurological Singing, Choir & Voice Network
Sing to Beat (UK)
SingWell Project (research, Canada)
Community Organisations Supporting People Living with an Acquired Neurological Condition
These organisations provide information for patients, families and professionals, and in some cases offer partnerships or advertise neurological choirs and singing groups
Aphasia New Zealand
Dementia New Zealand
Headway
Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand
Parkinson’s New Zealand
Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand
