Savannah Songbirds: Music therapy helps Parkinson’s patients find their voice

by Tyler Manion

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Down by the Armstrong campus of Georgia Southern, a group of unique songbirds stands out. They unfold their binders once a week, stand strong and sing, before flying back to the rest of their lives.

The choir’s director, Emily Hall, an associate professor of music and voice, provides encouragement as her diverse group of students comes together. But these aren’t typical college students. While the university’s student body is usually 18 to 22 years old, the songbirds represent the other end of that spectrum.

“I love to sing, love music,” said Kim Hice, one of the program’s participants.

The group includes members like Mike, the class jokester who had never sung before joining, alongside graduate students who fill out the ensemble. Despite the wide range of life and musical experience, they all blend beyond the harmonies.

More than just music

“The first day he came in I felt like he made me feel welcome when I came into the space,” said Karalese Wehner, a graduate student at GSU.

While it may look like a random collection of people, there’s a deeper reason this group is together. The choir was developed specifically for people with movement disorders, like Hice.

“Songbirds is just a program but it’s more than a program. It’s part of my life,” Hice said.

Hice was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2021 and has noticed her voice getting softer since then. She doesn’t talk about her condition much, hoping it’s not obvious, though she acknowledges it’s becoming more apparent.

“I get frustrated because I used to be able to sing and it came easy to me, but now it’s much harder,” she said.

Fighting through song

Her time in the rehearsal room, singing with people a third of her age, is part of her fight against the disease. The program operates within Georgia Southern’s communication and speech disorders department and is designed specifically to help people with Parkinson’s through music.

“They’re actually using their muscles, they’re using their breath to keep their voice strong,” Hall explained.

“I don’t want to give up, I just keep on moving and go to exercise class, but I love coming to Songbirds,” Hice said.

Hice has been a songbird since the program started a few years ago and says it’s helping. She won’t give up using it in her battle against Parkinson’s.

“I’m kinda stubborn,” she laughed. “Ask my husband.”

Neither will Mike, who had never sung before joining the group. Both agree there’s room for more members, and they’re ready to welcome new songbirds to their nest.

“For people that have Parkinson’s or any kind of disease don’t give up, just keep moving along and do what you can do,” Hice advised. “Learn about it and be interactive with other people and it’s very important not to hibernate. Just be yourself.”

The program organizers at GSU Armstrong say they have the ability to provide transportation for people who are interested in joining the Savannah Songbirds.

Here is the link to sign up for the group. You can also contact the RiteCare Center - who runs the program - as well at the following email and phone number: