Amateur choir singers – Does good vocal health matter?

Abstract

Background: Many amateur singers enjoy singing in choirs. They are likely to lack the training and expertise of professional singers and this may have an impact on their vocal health. Aims:To assess the experiences of amateur singers, their use of warm-up and cool-down sessions, their vocal health, their sources of help and advice and their reactions to receiving a diagnosis and treatment. Methods and Procedures: A questionnaire was sent to amateur choir singers.Quantitative data on their use of warm-up and cool-down activities were collected and the singers rated how frequently they experienced adverse voice symptoms after singing. Qualitative data were collected from singers who had sought advice about their voice and from those who had received a diagnosis and treatment.Outcome and Results: Most choirs used warm-up sessions but few used cooldown. Singers who participated in choir warm-ups experienced significantly less vocal symptoms. Individual warm-ups were ineffective. Singers who had previously had a diagnosis continued to have significantly higher symptom scores. A quarter of the singers who had neither sought help nor had a diagnosis had high scores. Singers appeared uncertain about who to consult for help. Those who saw a speech and language therapist were much more likely to receive a diagnosis and treatment either by the therapist or by referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Those receiving treatment were mainly positive about it and likely to complete a course of therapy. Conclusions and Implications: Warm-up sessions performed by choirs are helpful in avoiding voice symptoms and are recommended. The presence of singers who are unaware of potential damage to their voices is a concern. A simple rating system, as used in this research, may act to alert them to the dangers.Choir leaders could be more active in advising singers and refer them to professionals where necessary. Speech and language therapists appear more sensitive to their problems and could be a first point of contact.