A Virtual Choir Over Zoom: Can It Be Done and What Are the Benefits?
Over the course of the semester I compiled research on the effects of participating in virtual choir activities. The specific goal was to gain insight on the question(s) of whether virtual music learning and engagement can have positive impacts on older adults and what these effects are. This question was pertinent to the time, as it was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic where many activities that are normally in-person, made the shift to the online environment. While there was a lot of information relating to bits and pieces of this topic, the studies that addressed this exact question were few (at least that’s what it seemed like during my research). I was able to find out information about the effects of group music participation in the physical environment for older adults and the effects of virtual music learning for younger individuals. Even among those that seemed to fit, there were aspects that didn’t fully match, like the participant pool being very diverse in age, or the music interventions being web-video based rather than live collaboration with the group. These studies were just parts of the overall research question.
Some Studies and Findings
Some studies talked about the culture. One found that culturally sensitive music interventions increased cultural sensitivity, and another found that culturally sensitive music yielded better results. In the former study, 31 choir participants and 12 administrators and music professionals were interviewed about their experiences with choir participation after the intervention. It was found that there was an increase in emotional well-being, self-confidence, self-esteem, social connection and support, cultural identity and multicultural appreciation among the participants. It was also found that participants had a decrease in loneliness (Allison, 2020). These findings help to show the benefits of choir participation. However, they do not answer questions about its effects in the virtual environment or among older populations.
In the latter study, the cognitive and mental health effects of group music interventions in older adults were examined (in the form of rhythmic exercise). It took place in a Korean nursing home with 40 participants. Participants were split into two groups of 20, with the control group participating in only their normal biweekly activity, while the experimental group participated in both their normal activities and the novel music interventions. After the span of 12 weeks, it was found that adding musical training activities improved depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, and cognitive functioning. It was also found that culturally sensitive music yielded better results (Kim & Kang, 2021). This study provides useful insight on the research question, as the participants are elderly. However, the question of how music learning translates to the virtual environment still lingers.
There were however, many non-scientific articles that showcased virtual choirs, like this one! Note: all images link to other great examples of virtual choirs.
Applications and Future Directions
So, combining what I’ve learned from the research studies I looked at, I would like to propose a possible study to better target my research question. Of course, carrying out a study of this size would take a lot of time and require many resources. Perhaps this idea can be given to several local nursing homes and they may carry it out. Another way to approach this research question would be to invite people over the age of 65 to join a program that will study this.
A question that lingers is, how will the findings here translate in the seemingly near future, where virtual learning is not as widespread? As there is now large vaccine availability, more people are getting vaccinated in the United States (currently 39.5% of residents are fully vaccinated), and states are opening up, how will virtual music learning hold up? How much relevance might these findings hold when the pandemic is ‘no more’? There is without a doubt that many of the changes brought on by the pandemic will stick around. This includes increased streaming of important events and hosting virtual events. As this research question primarily deals with those advanced in age, perhaps there is greater likelihood that in those populations virtual activities will be the norm (or remain prevalent) for much longer. In giving this greater thought, we should consider what circumstances in which people in nursing homes would be engaged with virtual music participation/learning. Is it because they already had an interest in choir, but could not participate in person due to restrictions? Or is it simply an activity offered to them? Questions of access to electronic devices and software knowledge could be raised.
If music learning is taking place in a nursing home, then it is more likely that an individual teacher can simply be present with the residents, or on a video call. However, the residents are likely to all be together physically. So while it is virtual, they will not be interacting in a fully virtual environment. In this case, the research should probably focus on how the findings can be applied to older adults not in nursing homes, since that is the population the research was initially for.
A More Direct Study
Based on the considerations above, a study that could possibly better address the research questions could be as follows: Invite participants age 60+ to participate in a study on the effects of virtual music learning. Ideally, the participation pool could be around 20 or more participants. The study invitation could be posted on social media or flyers around the area. Requirements for participation would be that the participants have access to an electronic device which they can use for weekly choir on video call, for at least 6 weeks. At the start participants will be given a survey detailing questions regarding their well-being and views of themselves. At the end of the study, they will be given the same questions. This way, the potential impacts of virtual music engagement for older adults can be better studied.
Journal References:
Allison, T. A., Nápoles, A. M., Johnson, J. K., Stewart, A. L., Rodriguez-Salazar, M., Peringer, J., Sherman, S., Ortez-Alfaro, J., Villero, O., & Portacolone, E. (2020). Multi-cultural perspectives on group singing among diverse older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 41(6), 1006–1012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.07.011
Cayari, C. (2017). Connecting music education and virtual performance practices from YouTube. Music Education Research, 20(3), 360–376. https://doi.org/10.1080/14613808.2017.1383374
Grushka, K., Lawry, M., Sutherland, K., & Fergusson, C. (2021). A Virtual Choir Ecology and the Zoom-machinic. Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 5(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1163/23644583-bja10013
Hallam, S., & Creech, A. (2016). Can active music making promote health and well-being in older citizens? Findings of the music for life project. London Journal of Primary Care, 8(2), 21–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/17571472.2016.1152099
Kim, H. S., & Kang, J. S. (2021). Effect of a group music intervention on cognitive function and mental health outcomes among nursing home residents: A randomized controlled pilot study. Geriatric Nursing, 42(3), 650–656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.03.012
Waldron, J. (2009). Exploring a virtual music community of practice: Informal music learning on the Internet. Journal of Music, Technology and Education, 2(2), 97–112. https://doi.org/10.1386/jmte.2.2-3.97_1
