Why is there often a great deal of suffering when older choir singers have voice problems? Are appearances deceptive, or is the suffering worse than when younger choir singers who come to us with vocal problems?
What are the reasons for participating in the choir (musical, social or logistical)? Do these motivations change with age? Does the importance of the choir increase or decrease with age? 495 active choir members between the ages of 16 and 91 were questioned.
The results show that the main reasons for singing in a choir (enjoyment of singing, enjoyment of the group, level of the choir, further development of the singing voice) are independent of age. Less central motivations (acquaintances in the choir, performance opportunities, the choice of a particular work) increase with age. Likewise, the relevance of the choir increases with age. The discussion shows possibilities of how the potential of older choir members can be used.
Article on the study from the Schweizer Musikzeitung April 2018