Laois Community Choir

Description

Our Community Choir Initiative began as a collaboration between Age Friendly Communities, Music Generation Laois, LOETB Community Education, Age Friendly Laois, and the Portlaoise Family Resource Centre. Together, we have built a vibrant and inclusive community choir that now boasts 160 members. This project has become a beacon of intergenerational cooperation and community spirit in Portlaoise.

In the initial planning stages, the decision was made to hold practice sessions at the Portlaoise Family Resource Centre, situated in the heart of Knockmay, a prime disadvantaged location in Portlaoise. By choosing this location, we aimed to break down barriers and make the choir accessible to all, fostering inclusivity and community engagement. Morning sessions were held at the Family Resource Centre, while evening sessions took place at the Laois Music Centre, ensuring that the choir was accessible to a wider audience.

The primary objective of our project was to create a space where different generations could come together, share their love for music, and learn from each other. The choir has grown significantly, with members of all ages participating and benefiting from this intergenerational interaction.

The choir met twice a week for eight weeks, with each session lasting two hours. We had three musicians per session—a Director, Assistant Director, and an Accompanist. Tea, coffee, and biscuits were provided to all members, giving them time to chat and foster the relationships formed at the choir. In today’s fast-paced society, where technology is rapidly advancing and time is limited, it is crucial for mixed-age groups to have this time to collaborate. Our Community Choir Initiative not only preserves the valuable tradition of learning from our elders but also adapts to modern challenges. It stands as a testament to the power of community, music, and intergenerational cooperation in creating a more inclusive and age-friendly society.

Facilitated by a dedicated team of Musical Generation Laois Musician Educators, led by Nuala Kelly and James O’Connor, our sessions feature an enjoyable and easy-to-sing repertoire from a wide range of musical genres. This approach ensures that participants have fun while engaging in meaningful activities.

Benefits of Intergenerational Work:

Creation of age-friendly communities: Our project helps build communities where individuals of all ages feel welcome and valued.

Fosters lifelong learning: Through mutual teaching and learning, participants gain new skills and knowledge, contributing to their personal growth.

Addresses and mitigates stereotyping and ageism: By bringing different generations together, we challenge and reduce stereotypes and prejudices.

Enhances understanding and respect between older and younger generations: Interactions foster greater empathy and respect, bridging generational gaps.

Provides opportunities to make new friends and combat social isolation: Participants form meaningful connections, reducing feelings of loneliness.

Ensures participants have a fun and engaging experience: Our focus on enjoyable activities ensures that everyone involved has a positive and memorable time.

Overall, this project exemplifies the importance and impact of intergenerational work in creating a more inclusive, understanding, and connected society. We believe our project embodies the spirit of the Age Friendly Ireland awards and hope you will consider us worthy of this honuor. Which is culminating in a performance on July 18th to officially open the brand new Portlaoise Outdoor Performance Space on the grounds of Laois Music Centre, which is a great honour for our Choir, it shows that our project is held in such high regard by Laois County Council.

Aim of Initiative

Creation of Age-Friendly Communities: Our choir fosters a sense of belonging and community spirit, contributing to the development of age-friendly communities.

Lifelong Learning: By encouraging mutual teaching and learning, our project promotes lifelong learning. Older members share their wisdom and experiences, while younger members bring fresh perspectives and technological know-how.

Mitigating Stereotyping and Ageism: The project effectively addresses and mitigates stereotypes and ageism. It fosters mutual understanding and respect between older and younger generations.

Enhanced Understanding and Respect: Through regular interactions, participants gain a deeper appreciation of each other’s viewpoints and experiences, fostering a culture of respect.

Combating Social Isolation: The choir provides a platform for members to make new friends and combat social isolation, offering both social and emotional support.

Fun and Engagement: Above all, the choir offers a fun and engaging experience for all participants, making it a highlight of their week and a cornerstone of community life.

Who is it aimed at

The initiative is aimed at individuals of all ages within the community, particularly focusing on fostering intergenerational cooperation and engagement, and breaking barriers of social isolation. This includes both older and younger generations, creating opportunities for them to come together, share their love for music, and learn from each other. By targeting a diverse age range, the initiative aims to build an inclusive, age-friendly community where everyone feels welcome and valued. The specific focus on holding sessions in a disadvantaged area of Portlaoise also aims to make the choir accessible to those who might face barriers to participation, further promoting inclusivity and community engagement. In addition to fostering intergenerational relationships, the initiative promotes lifelong learning. Participants develop new skills and knowledge, which contributes to their personal growth and development. Engaging in musical activities enhances cognitive abilities, improves memory, and encourages creativity. These educational benefits extend beyond music, fostering a culture of continuous learning and curiosity among all age groups. From a mental health perspective, the initiative offers significant advantages. Participating in the choir provides a sense of purpose and belonging, which can combat feelings of loneliness and depression. The social interactions and friendships formed during the sessions enhance emotional well-being and reduce social isolation. Singing has also been shown to release endorphins and reduce stress, contributing to overall mental health. By creating a supportive and engaging environment, the initiative helps improve the mental health and quality of life for all participants.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Establish Collaborative PartnershipsThe first critical step in the success of the Community Choir Initiative was establishing strong partnerships with key organisations. This included Age Friendly Communities, Music Generation Laois, LOETB Community Education, Age Friendly Laois, and the Portlaoise Family Resource Centre. These collaborations provided the necessary resources, expertise, and support to create a robust and inclusive community choir.
2. Selecting accessible and inclusive locations for choir sessions was essential. Morning sessions were held at the Portlaoise Family Resource Centre in Knockmay, a disadvantaged area, to ensure inclusivity and break down barriers to participation. Evening sessions at the Laois Music Centre provided additional opportunities for community members to join, accommodating different schedules and increasing accessibility for our choir members and ultimately lead to the overall success of the event.
3. Develop a Structured Program with Engaging ActivitiesDeveloping a structured program with engaging activities was the next critical step. Led by a dedicated team of MGL Musician Educators, the sessions featured a diverse and easy-to-sing repertoire from various musical genres, ensuring enjoyment and participation. The choir met twice a week for eight weeks, with each two-hour session facilitated by a Director, Assistant Director, and Accompanist. Providing refreshments such as tea, coffee, and biscuits also created a welcoming atmosphere, encouraging social interaction and relationship building among participants.

   By following these steps, the Community Choir Initiative successfully fostered intergenerational cooperation, promoted lifelong learning, and enhanced mental health and well-being among its members. Culminating the performance for all to see all of the hard work, and friendships made along the way.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Logistics and SchedulingOne of the primary challenges faced by the Community Choir Initiative was coordinating logistics and scheduling sessions that accommodated diverse participant schedules. Balancing the availability of venues, musicians, and participants across different age groups and life stages required careful planning and flexibility.
2. Overcoming Socioeconomic BarriersAddressing socioeconomic barriers was another significant challenge. While the initiative aimed to be inclusive and accessible by holding sessions in a disadvantaged area, there were still logistical and financial obstacles for some potential participants. Providing cost-free participation for all required additional resources and community support.
3. Managing Group Dynamics and ExpectationsManaging group dynamics and expectations among a large and diverse choir presented ongoing challenges. Ensuring that sessions remained inclusive and engaging for participants of varying musical abilities and backgrounds required skilled facilitation and adaptable programming. Balancing individual preferences with the collective goals of the choir while maintaining a supportive and respectful environment was key to overcoming this challenge.

   Navigating these challenges required collaborative efforts, creative problem-solving, and ongoing communication with stakeholders to ensure the Community Choir Initiative remained effective and beneficial for all participants.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Strengthened Community BondsThrough the Community Choir Initiative, we seen first hand the strengthened community bonds across different generations. Participants of all ages came together in a shared love for music, fostering mutual respect and understanding. The friendships made at our sessions has made a lasting and meaningful effect on our participants, they are meeting up in between sessions for walks and chats together, these connections would not have been made without our choir. This cohesion fully supports our project now, contributing to a more unified and supportive community environment in Portlaoise.
2. Enhanced Intergenerational Understanding and RespectParticipation in the choir significantly enhanced intergenerational understanding and respect. Older members shared their musical expertise and life experiences with younger participants, while younger members brought enthusiasm and new perspectives to the group. These interactions broke down stereotypes and fostered empathy, promoting a deeper appreciation for each generation’s contributions and strengths.
3. Improved Mental Health and Well-beingThe initiative had a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of participants. Engaging in musical activities, socialising with peers, and feeling part of a supportive community all contributed to improved emotional well-being. Participants reported reduced feelings of loneliness and increased happiness from being involved in a fulfilling and enjoyable activity. Singing together also provided a therapeutic outlet, reducing stress and providing a safe space where they could come and feel welcome.

   Overall, the outcomes of the Community Choir Initiative demonstrate its success in creating a more connected, understanding, and mentally healthy community in Portlaoise.