The Cecilians are a group of volunteers who help to rehabilitate the sick and the elderly through music.  The Cecilians' aim is to help residents in St Joseph's Home & Hospice to relieve the monotony of their life with music and also to provide companionship.  They encourage the residents to enjoy music by reaching out to them with familiar songs and tunes.  This is done by engaging every individual in active participation - in singing and the playing of percussion instruments.

The hope of these volunteers is that by encouraging the sick and elderly to sing and by teaching them to play the instruments, the residents will appreciate the joy of music and keep their brains active and their memories alert.

Formed almost two years ago, the Cecilians have been helping out weekly with about 40 residents.  A typical session includes group and individual singing of familiar evergreen and old sons, rhythm drills and percussion training.  As most of the residents are wheelchair bound, moving to music is restricted to exercise movements for the upper body.

Companionship is fostered before and after the weekly 90-minute sessions, with each volunteer getting to know the residents individually.

The Cecilians started out with four members, all parishioners of St Ignatius Catholic Church.  Over time, four other volunteers at the home who were attracted to this form of music interaction and rehabilitation joined in.  These volunteers are known as animators as they lead their own particular sections in the music.  To increase interest in the pieces that are practised, explanations of the story behind the music are usually given.

The residents' group has been preparing for the past four months for the Christmas light-up ceremony at Gleneagles Hospital.  This is the first time that they are performing in public, although they have taken part in small concerts at the Home.

Chua Kiat Beng
Volunteer