CANBERRA’S dementia-inclusive choir, Alchemy Chorus, is turning seven and plans to celebrate with a community event on October 19.

The chorus, founded by its conductor Brian Triglone, is made up of people in the early to middle stages of dementia together with a relative or close friend.

“We leave dementia at the door,” Triglone says, emphasising that membership of the chorus – free – involves simply enjoying two hours of socialising and singing, which is believed to slow the progress of dementia.

Triglone said the unique feature of the chorus was the joint involvement of carers as well as dementia-sufferers.

With a background singing Methodist hymns in harmony, he says he and his wife sang with folk groups while he played guitar. He was also assistant conductor for The Rugby Choir at one stage and started the group Gospel Folk, which is still going strong.

The inspiration for Alchemy Chorus came after viewing the American “Giving Voice” chorus performing on YouTube, and saying to himself: “That’s something I could do, focus on bringing people together through music”.

He left Gospel Folk to focus on the chorus, but some of his fellow volunteers come from that group.

Success has followed Alchemy Chorus, which won both the 2022 COTA Seniors’ Achievement award for Positive Ageing and the 2022 ACT Chief Minister’s award for Excellence in an Inclusive Service.

“We don’t look at it as music therapy,” Triglone says. “Although we know it’s amazing how music ability seems to last… we like to give those couples a chance to be themselves.”

“Glorious ordinariness” is how one former chorus member described it.

The birthday celebrations, to be attended by their patron, soprano Louise Page, will involve lots of singing and reminiscing and Triglone has pulled together around 15 favourites, including “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “What a Wonderful World”.

The birthday event will be held at the COTA Hall in Hughes on Friday from 10am. Alchemy Chorus is keen to attract new members. Call 0418 424886 or visit alchemychorus.com