Tremble Clefs Singing Group
In addition to weekly singing sessions, the Tremble Clefs perform downtown each year during Spokane's Street Music Week
Singing is exceptionally good medicine; known to lift spirits while strengthening voices and facial, throat, and swallowing muscles made weak by PD. The Spokane Tremble Clefs are led by music director Pam Baldwin, MA with Donna Douglas on piano.
Meets: Rockwood Retirement South, 2903 E. 25th Avenue, 99224
When: Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Walt Jakubowski (509) 448-3535 or the PRC (509) 473-2490
Doreen Nicholas, M.S., M.H.P.A., Clinic Director University Programs in Communication Disorders (UPCD) in Spokane leads her students in working with the Tremble Clefs as part of their studies. This real-world experience has taught them lessons they will carry with them into their professional lives. Here are the reflections of three students:
Kristin:
As a graduate student in speech-language pathology beginning second semester, I thought my assignment was a mistake. I was assigned to the singing group known as the Tremble Clefs. I had no musical singing or directing skills, only the knowledge about Parkinson’s Disease as it relates to the field of speech-language pathology. I wondered how this new experience would enhance my skills as a learning clinician. Needless to say, it was most humbling and a blessing.
Every Tuesday I would attend the group for warm up and stretching, loud singing, and camaraderie. I able to share my academic knowledge, but more importantly, I gained insight into the lives of people combating a disease out of their control. Not only is this a place where they come to sing to address some of the speech problems, it is a place of support. As much as I can read about Parkinson’s Disease from a textbook, learning directly from these people and their caregivers has given me a wealth of knowledge. I feel so honored that I was welcomed and accepted into such a fine group of people devoted to improve their quality of life.
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Jennifer:
Tremble Clefts was a great first experience as a student clinician. As a Speech-Language Pathology masters student we learn about Parkinson’s disease and the general affects of the disease on the voice but we don’t get many opportunities to work with clients with Parkinson’s. Tremble Clefts offered a valuable opportunity to not only observe but to work with individuals with the disease.
I really enjoyed working with the Tremble Clefts. I learned a lot about treating patients with Parkinson’s disease and the Lee Silverman Voice Technique (LSVT). I really feel that singing with Tremble Clefts increases quality of life and voice by working with Tremble Clefts. I had a lot of fun at practices! The physical and vocal warm ups were always good for getting the group smiling and laughing. And I really liked hearing stories about the participants’ as they talked about the music we were singing and the memories evoked. I will always remember my semester working with the Tremble Clefts and I really hope to get to work with a group like Tremble Clefts again when I’m done with graduate school.
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Kim:
My experience during the Fall 2010 semester with the Tremble Clefs promoted learning on many levels. First, I was able to see firsthand the differing degrees to which Parkinson’s Disease (PD) can affect people. Some patients presented with myriad signs typically found with PD such as trembling, decreased range of motor movement and– of particular interest to my field of study—communication, while others exhibited minimal signs.
Next, targeting the area of voice, I was able to learn some of the skills promoted by the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy of which I was unfamiliar. The main emphasis of this treatment programs is to speak (or in this case sing) LOUD to compensate for the deterioration of voice quality and loudness associated with PD.
Lastly, I was able to learn the human component behind what I had been learning about in textbooks. PD is a progressive disease for which there is no cure. It decreases many aspects of quality of life inclusive of communication skills. The skills that we learn to assist those with PD will not cure their communication issues, but rather will fight against the deterioration process to ensure quality of life will remain intact for as long as possible.
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Tremble Clefs Schedule 2011
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
February 1
February 8
February 15
February 22
March 1
March 8
March 15
March 22
March 29
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
June 7
June 14
June 21
June 28
July 5
July 12
July 19
July 26
September 6
September 13
September 20
September 27
October 4
October 11
October 18
October 25
November 1
November 8
November 15
November 22
November 29
December 6
December 13
