Stroke a Chord
The Stroke a Chord project investigated the effects of participation in a therapeutic choir for people living with aphasia post stroke. Communication deficits resulting from aphasia can negatively impact stroke survivors’ relationships and social participation. Despite these difficulties, singing is accessible and enjoyable for many people with aphasia. The research project examined mood, communication, cognition and global and social functioning after 12 and 20 weeks of participating in the Stroke a Chord choir.
The Stroke a Chord choir has continued to operate since the research concluded over 10 years ago. This group strongly advocates for the benefits of group singing post stroke for people living with aphasia and have their own website and Facebook page
Publications
Tamplin, J., Baker, F., Jones, B., Way, A., & Lee, S. (2013). ‘Stroke a Chord’: The effect of singing in a community choir on mood and social engagement for people living with aphasia following a stroke. Neurorehabilitation, 32(4), 929-941. doi: 10.3233/NRE-130916
Media Stories
2013
Local Government Focus – Stroke-a-Chord choir goes from strength to strength (2 February 2013)
2012
Cue The Applause – Stroke A Chord takes out award for Special Projects Initiative (6 March 2012)
Choir Helps Find Voice – Stroke A Chord an award winning project (6 March 2012)
Fun road to recovery on song – News article from Maroondah Leader about the choir and Music Therapist Anneliis Way (3 April 2012)
Nothing stops a very special harmony among stroke survivors – Herald Sun article in regards to Stroke A Chord’s win in the Local Project competition (13 April 2012)
Maroondah’s Stroke a Chord Choir runs hot at community music awards – Maroondah weekly (11 December 2012)
2011
Channel Nine News report from the National Speech pathology Conference in Darwin (28 June 2011)
Miracle Melody – Channel Nine News Report on the Choir’s Public Debut Performance (17 Sept 2011)
Fighting Words For Mont Albert Stroke Survivor – Choir member Tim’s recovery from Stroke using mainstream technology such as an iPad. (26 Aug 2011)
Choir Gives Stroke Survivors A Voice – Yooralla article about the choir’s pending public debut performance. (August 2011)
Stroke-a-Chord: Hitting a high note post-stroke – Media release from the National Speech Pathology Conference in Darwin 2011 (25 June 2011)
Choir strikes lucky chord – Stroke-a-Chord choir has received $20,000 from the Ian Potter Foundation to make a documentary to heighten the awareness of stroke and aphasia. (31 May 2011)
Rousing chorus a stroke of genius for speechless – News article in the Waverley Leader about the choir (15 March 2011)
Choir backs stroke survivors – News article in the Maroondah Weekly about the Choir. (8 March 2011)
Group strikes up a chord – Another great story about the choir and the website in the Maroondah Leader. (8 March 2011)
Croydon choir in tune with hope – News article about Stroke a Chord’s upcoming concert. (13 Sept 2011)
Finding The Right Words – News article from Maroondah Leader about the choir. (15 Sept 2011)
2010
Report on Stroke a Chord on The Today Show (13 Sept 2010)
“A remarkable story about stroke victims who’ve lost their ability to speak through aphasia but have found their voice through song.” – The Project
Stroke a chord choir-The Project
Stroke of genius changes lives– News article in the Yarra Ranges Weekly about Choir member Naomi and her experiences within the choir. (9 Nov 2010)
It’s music to stroke survivors’ ears – The day TV personality Peter Hitchener came to hear the choir sing. (14 December 2010)
Speech by Governor General – Her excellency in her opening speech at the launch of the DVD produded by beyondblue and the Stroke Foundation on tackling depression after stroke makes reference to the choir. (Oct 2010)
Choir gives voice– Yooralla news article about the choir. (August 2010)