cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

Keeping connections and bonds strong throughout the current pandemic is one of the best ways to cope with not being able to see loved ones, and one local choir is doing just that for individuals with neurological disorders.

The Fort Myers Symphonic Master-singers’ Intermezzo Choir, organized specifically to benefit those with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their caregivers, is returning once again for its second year of bringing joy through song.

The program is under the direction of Mastersingers Artistic Director Shannon Arnold, in collaboration with Jan Malecha, a board-certified music therapist and Mastersingers Choir member.

“We realized that there needed to be an outlet for older singers,” Malecha said. “We wanted to provide an opportunity for people with Alzheimer’s, related dementias and their care partners or family, as well as volunteers, to socialize and sing favorite songs and interact.”

The choir is named after the lighter piece of music, intermezzo — the in-between, more serious parts of larger sections of music.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are approximately 23,000 people diagnosed with dementia in Lee County and 580,000 throughout the state. The Alzheimer’s Association projects there will be 720,000 individuals with a diagnosis by 2025, a 24.1% increase.

After having their first sessions last January at Faith Presbyterian Church, they were cut short due to COVID-19 and picked things back up this fall virtually via Zoom. This time around, they hope to have a 30-member choir.

While there have certainly been challenges with an online format, Malecha and Arnold said they’ve learn to adapt to the times, and so have their students.

“It’s interesting dealing with this whole new way of rehearsing a choir,” Arnold said.

For them, it’s all about keeping those connections active, whether online or in person.

Malecha said she was especially touched to see the connection between a mother and daughter who sang together during a session. Often times those diagnosed with either Alzheimer’s or dementia can become isolated from the world and people. She was touched by something the mother shared during one of their sessions.

“This mother said, ‘I have my relationship back with my daughter,'” recalled Malecha. “You could just see the connection happening between the two of them while they were singing. I don’t know exactly what stage that person was at, but it seemed like maybe it had been a very lonely disease for her. (Those disorders) are very lonely, especially right now when there’s not a lot of opportunities to get out and do things.”

Malecha also joked about one choir member who said his social life “stunk” and that he really enjoyed being a member of the choir simply for the social aspect.

“I think it was a fulfilling part of what he had been looking for in his progression of things,” Malecha said. “Everybody had a great time enjoying one another and it was really uplifting for that hour.”

The realm of music can be a great area of comfort for those struggling with a neurological disorder.

“We see neurologically — and the research is pointing to a lot of data saying that music is one of the things that is left alone. The areas that process music is left out of the damage caused by dementia,” Malecha said.

On the flip side, it’s always nice to have something to look forward to once a week when there are scarce alternative options.

“It certainly reduces isolation and brings people together,” Malecha said. “I think it encourages people to express themselves. I think by hearing those old songs, it sort of makes things more familiar and more comfortable for them and offers an opportunity to learn something new as well.”

Don’t forget about music being a stimulating exercise for the mind.

“The brain craves novelty,” Malecha said. “That’s one of the things we can do with music. We can alter the tempo, alter the dynamics, alter the order of the music and what we do with it. Music is sparking memories and making connections for them.”

Arnold added, “There are so many studies that show that continued singing when you have memory loss is really important and that’s something that I saw in my family and am seeing currently.”

No singing experience is required to join. Participants will get to work on vocal techniques, rhythm, breath support and ensemble skills. There’s also a chance for participants to get to know one another and share a little about themselves.

“I think music, arts, dance — is a fulfilling part of somebody’s life and it kind of gives them more purpose,” Malecha said.

Each session has a theme, the upcoming being “Let’s go to the movies.” Each rehearsal starts with the same opening and closing song to bring familiarity.

“We find it really important to make sure that this is familiar music from important parts of their lives,” Arnold said.

The opening song this session is “Good Morning” from “Singin’ in the Rain.” Each individual is also encouraged to change verbs in the song to fit their personality or experiences.

Malecha said the group’s favorite song is “Happy Trails.”

“It just sends us away in the right spirit,” she said.

Arnold also records each pairing singing, edits and posts for all to enjoy. She said being part of this special choir is a humbling experience and a fulfilling step away from the demands of the Mastersingers and getting back to the reason music became such an important part of life.

“I am a musician because I love music, and sometimes you get a little bogged down with striving for perfection that you forget that singing is just singing, and it doesn’t have to be perfect,” Arnold said. “It’s humbling. It’s all about having fun with other people who love to sing and what that does for them mentally.”

Sessions are $25 per singer for all 10 weeks and individuals can join at any point.

For more information on the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers’ Intermezzo choir, visit www.mastersingersfm.com.

Malecha can also be contacted via email at jacmalecha@gmail.com.

— Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj