The therapeutic use of choir participation in music therapy

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the perceived efficacy of a choir as a therapeutic tool in music therapy by exploring the experiences of music therapists working with therapeutic choirs. In this study, a therapeutic choir is seen as a group of people singing together to experience therapeutic benefits alongside the musical aspects of a choir. Five music therapists from various countries participated in online semi-structured interviews. The participants shared their experiences of working with a therapeutic choir. The study aimed to ascertain the value of a therapeutic choir as well as the various experiences and challenges of these choir leaders. A detailed thematic analysis yielded three themes: Conceptual Framework and Structures, Resource-oriented Benefits, and Belonging and Collaboration. The emerging themes facilitated a comprehensive discussion on the functions of a therapeutic choir based on the experiences of the five participants. The first theme revealed valuable insights into the structure of a therapeutic choir, specifically the roles and training of the choir leaders and the value of performance within the therapeutic choir framework. The findings provided an overview of the underpinning values of a therapeutic choir such as flexibility, adaptability, and providing access to therapeutic care. A noteworthy finding from the second and third themes demonstrates how the therapeutic choir can function as a strengthening mechanism and a vehicle for socialisation and community collaboration. Furthermore, the challenges and affordances of online and in-person therapeutic choirs, as articulated by the participants, are discussed. By exploring the experiences of the choir leaders, valuable insights and implications for the use of therapeutic choirs were revealed.