27.10.17
2 minute read
Last weekend Rising Voices, Bristol’s Recovery Choir, were invited to take part in a conference in at the University of Brighton, exploring and sharing ideas about how music can be used to support people around their addiction.
Held by the partnership project MUSIC DARE (Music in Creative Detoxification and Rehabilitation), the conference was open to anyone interested in the use of music as a therapeutic intervention.
The day featured a variety of practical activities, academic sessions and performances – bringing together a diverse group of people together from all backgrounds, including academics, researchers, therapists, people in recovery, musicians, drug & alcohol practitioners and music therapists.
Rising Voices were invited to perform throughout the conference, including an exciting collaboration with fellow choir Cascade Creative Recovery. New Note Orchestra, Brighton’s very own recovery band, also attended to present their story and showcase their Strummer’s Guitar Group project.
As well performing, Rising Voice choir members were also invited to share their individual stories of how the choir has supported their recovery, taking part in a breakout session with keynote speaker Dr. Jörg Fachner, a leading researcher in music and addiction.
The thing that is most valuable to me about the choir is the chance to have a voice… to just be a human being with other humans, singing.
MUSIC DARE is a 3-year partnership project between academic centres across Europe. Now in its third and final year, the project will soon be launching an e-learning package of their findings. Stay tuned for more information.
Music in Creative Detoxification and Rehabilitation partners: the University of Macedonia (Greece), ARGO ‘Alternative Therapeutic Program for Dependent Individuals’ (Greece), Psychiatric Hospital Thessaloniki (Greece), PYE Global (UK) and the University of Nîmes (France).
