William Cutting describes how singing together revives the brain
People who have worked and lived with dementia have long known that ‘Music is Magic’. There appear to be separate mem-ory pathways for melodies and songs to bypass serious brain-blocks.
Our community choir regularly visits and is welcomed at the local retirement homes. Before the singing, choir members greet and chat with the residents. Trying to make contact with one elderly man was difficult; indeed despite friendly observations no visible response could be elicited. However, during the community singing part of the programme the old man was obviously singing along with enthusiasm and enjoyment. Participating in songs he knew from memory stimulated remarkable vitality and gave him obvious pleasure. After the session he was again mute!
