Singing at the Bedside
Nova Scotia Threshold Singers shares the mission of Threshold Choir singers around the world to provide comfort singing for those at the thresholds of life, including at the bedside of people in hospice and palliative care. We honour all spiritual paths and have no religious affiliation. Our songs express themes of ease, appreciation, reassurance, love, and letting go. They are offered, not as a performance or form of entertainment, but as a way to communicate presence, love, and heart. There is never any charge.
You can hear more about NSTS bedside singing in this CBS interview (October 2024).
Song Circles
We also offer song circles for people who find themselves at any kind of threshold in their life. Song circles are generally open to the public. Participants can choose to listen, sing, or lie down and receive a “song bath.” These gatherings are a way to share connection and kindness for ourselves and all who join us.
Sing With Us
We welcome all who share our mission of offering kindness through a cappella singing at tender times. You do not need to be able to read music or have previous voice training to sing with us.
Members need to be able to:
- Carry a tune
- Hold their own part while others sing harmony
- Sing softly and blend their voice with others
- Communicate kindness with their voice
- Dedicate time outside of practices to learning and practicing the repertoire
- Be willing to use self-monitoring and accept peer feedback as we work together to create a balanced, blended and pleasing sound.
Essential to the growth of our group are regularly scheduled practices where we build our repertoire of songs, reflect on the service we provide, and get to know one another. Since this is not a performance choir, we seek to sing quietly together, carefully listening to one another as we blend our voices. We discuss the sensitivities of working with people at or near the end of life as well as what may be needed in the presence of their families and loved ones. We work on developing a soothing voice and balancing our songs. Members have the opportunity to rest on a reclining chair in the center of our circle and experience being sung to by others. It is a safe and comfortable setting where singers can experience what it is like to be nurtured by song. As each singer becomes ready, they will begin singing at the bedside with the support of experienced singers.
Currently, Nova Scotia Threshold Singers sing weekly at the Palliative Care Unit of the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax. We have offered comfort singing at Valley Hospice in Kentville and aspire to establish other Threshold Choir groups throughout Nova Scotia. Our weekly practices are currently held on Thursday afternoons in Bedford. We ask all members to attend a minimum of two practices per month. Contact us by email at [email protected] for information about our new member orientations.