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. 2023 Jun;90(2):125-135.
doi: 10.1177/00084174221145823. Epub 2023 Jan 22.

Losing Life's Sparkle: Experiences of Canadian Choral Musicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mary Jo A Lozano, Stephanie L Churcher, Madison J Kirchner, Teri M Slade

Losing Life's Sparkle: Experiences of Canadian Choral Musicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mary Jo A Lozano et al. Can J Occup Ther. 2023 Jun.

Abstract
in English, French

Background. Singing in choirs, which previous research has identified as supporting wellbeing, has been restricted and altered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purpose. The purpose of this study is to investigate and describe the experience of music-making for musicians in professional and semi-professional choirs in Canada 18-22 months into the COVID-19 pandemic. Method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 participants and analyzed using interpretive description. Findings. Four themes: (1) increased negative feelings associated with the music-making experience due to COVID-19 restrictions, (2) isolation and disconnection, (3) recognizing how music-making aids in their own mental health, the participants used music-making to help their communities cope with the pandemic, and (4) adapting in response to COVID-19 reinforced music-making's importance. Implications. Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered Canadian choral musicians' experience of music-making can help occupational therapists in supporting choral musicians return to this meaningful occupation.

Description. La pratique du chant choral, identifiée par les chercheurs comme étant favorable au bien-être, a été restreinte et al.térée durant la pandémie de COVID-19. But. Le but de cette étude est d’examiner et de décrire l’expérience de la pratique musicale chez des musiciens de chorales professionnelles et semi-professionnelles au Canada entre 18 et 22 mois après le début de la pandémie de COVID-19. Méthodologie. Des entrevues semi-structurées ont été réalisées auprès de 11 participants et analysées à l’aide d’une description interprétative. Résultats. Quatre thèmes ressortent : 1) L’augmentation des sentiments négatifs associés à l’expérience de la pratique musicale en raison des restrictions liées à la COVID-19; 2) L’isolement et la déconnexion; 3) Reconnaissant que la pratique musicale était utile à leur santé mentale, les participants ont utilisé la musique pour aider leurs communautés à passer à travers la pandémie; 4) L’adaptation en réponse à la COVID-19 a renforcé l’importance de la pratique musicale. Conséquences. Le fait de comprendre comment la pandémie de COVID-19 a altéré l’expérience de la pratique musicale pour les musiciens de chorale peut aider les ergothérapeutes à soutenir les musiciens dans leur retour à l’exercice de cette activité significative.

Keywords: Aliénation occupationnelle; disruption occupationnelle; music; musique; occupational alienation; occupational disruption; qualitative research; recherche qualitative.

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