It does not take much convincing amongst the retired,\u00a0active\u00a0and former nurses that make up the Winnipeg Nurses Choir that music has a lasting healing impact on those that hear it.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0something that they noticed when they first started rehearsing with conductor Bill Quinn in the multi-purpose room at Misericordia Place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could allow the residents to come in there at any time, we\u00a0could do a couple of concerts for them,\u201d recalls Quinn.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
This led to an annual tradition\u00a0for the choir\u00a0of touring through\u00a0around\u00a0a\u00a0dozen long-term\u00a0care homes\u00a0throughout the course of its season, culminating in a spring concert, which this year is called Singing Together in Harmony.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very special thing to share [music] with as many people as we can, no matter what the context is,\u201d smiles Quinn. \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0always a\u00a0really joyous\u00a0occasion when we perform.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Connections between healers and singers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Quinn says that when the choir makes their visits to long-term care facilities and retirement communities, the part that everyone appreciates most is the connections made between singers, audience\u00a0members,\u00a0and caregivers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see it on the faces of the people that we sing for,\u201d says Quinn of the appreciation the choir feels during these performances.<\/p>\n
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That appreciation has an added layer as it is rooted in the knowledge\u00a0that healthcare workers have\u00a0that music can play\u00a0a big role\u00a0in improving the health and quality of life of residents\u00a0and staff alike. \u201cAs we know, the healthcare situation in Manitoba and across the country is challenging, and especially for working nurses,\u201d says Quinn. \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0all of\u00a0these things that come together\u00a0every time we perform.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Joining voices with communities\u00a0in support\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Singing Together in Harmony, the choir will present a wide range of repertoire spanning the years to ensure that as many people as possible can share in music\u2019s healing effect.\u00a0\u201cWe always get a great response because I make sure that we do stuff from the \u201830s to the \u201890s,\u201d says Quinn, \u201cso\u00a0somebody\u2019s\u00a0going to know at least a couple of pieces.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Winnipeg Nurses Choir will be joined for the concert by the vocal jazz choir from Balmoral Hall, where the choir has been rehearsing now for a couple of years. \u201cBalmoral Hall has been really generous to us,\u201d says Quinn. \u201cThey\u2019ve\u00a0made it possible since COVID for us to rehearse in their brand-new performance studio there, which is absolutely gorgeous.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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As is the case at all Winnipeg Nurses Choir performances, audience members are encouraged to bring donations for Harvest Manitoba, an initiative that the choir knows has\u00a0a huge impact\u00a0on the community that they serve. \u201cThere\u2019s\u00a0a growing need, unfortunately, at all the food banks in Winnipeg, and so\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0happy to do our part,\u201d says Quinn.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Singing Together in Harmony takes place on May 11 at 7 p.m. at Westworth United Church in River Heights. More details can be found\u00a0at\u00a0the Winnipeg Nurses Choir\u2019s\u00a0social media pages.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n