Forming a choir with total laryngectomized patients.

Abstract

This study describes the experience of forming a choir with patients who have undergone total laryngectomy. The choir began its activities in 2019 and is composed of total laryngectomy patients who are currently undergoing or have previously undergone therapy at the service and, therefore, have heterogeneous esophageal voice (EV) production. Thus, patients are subdivided into four groups, according to their level of EV acquisition: Group 1 - fluent in oral communication with EV and users of electrolarynx (perform chorus and solos); Group 2 - produce words with EV (perform final sections of verses); Group 3 - patients who produce syllables and vowels with EV (mark the rhythm with sequential syllable emission); Group 4 - produce no sound with EV (perform body percussion effects). All actively participate in selecting the repertoire. The choir also includes laryngeal voices (university students and speech-language-hearing pathologists). Rehearsals take place weekly, as do the therapy sessions. Musical arrangements must be adapted so that all patients can effectively participate in the group's overall sound. This activity fosters greater interaction among participants, strengthening emotional bonds, providing socialization, and sharing experiences beyond rehabilitation. The musical repertoire is carefully selected, considering the length of the verses, the tempo of the songs, the sustain of notes, and the melodic line.