Year: 2013
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Great changes and achievements for the elderly marked the twentieth century.The proportion of the population that will reach an advanced age is growing rapidly.According to recent data from the Federal Interagency Forum on Age-related Statistics POOO).there are currently 35 million people age 65 or older.accounting for almost 13 percent of the U.S. population.Furthermore.the number of people aged sixty-five and older is expected to double by the year 2030.The challenges facing our society as we learn to cope with an aging population are many.Perhaps one of the more critical issues centers on the question of quality of life.Of what value is a gain in life expectancy if the added years do not contribute to a sense of well-being and happiness?Music certainly can playa central role in a healthy and active life style for the elderly.Yet.aging does present unique problems for continued musical activity.This is particularly true for singers.The purpose of this paper is twofold.First.an overview of research related to the aging voice is presented.Second.information on ways to help and encourage older singers to continue to enjoy music is described.Specifically, information on the physical changes associated with aging followed by pedagogical techniques designed to limit the negative impact of these effects on singing is presented.Singing can and should be a lifelong activity.Equipped with proper knowledge and technique the mature singer can remain an active participant in the choral music experience. Physical Changes Associated with AgingAging is a natural result of the human condition.Unfortunately.some aspects of the physical changes associated with aging may have an adverse effect on singing.loss of accuracy.speed.endurance.stability.strength.and coordination occurs over time.Muscles.ligaments.and neural tissues exhibit varying degrees of atrophy often resulting in a general sense of "slowing down" (Chodzko-Zajko G Ringel. 1987).How these natural processes affect an individual's ability to engage in meaningful singing activities will of course vary for each individual.However.common changes do occur.Knowledge of these changes may help aging singers or choral conductors understand the challenges facing older singers.
Institutions: Wayne State University, Florida State University
Language: English
Subfield: Music
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1654482936