That’s the sentiment I took away from my visit to The Unforgettables – a choir that’s using music to help people with dementia.
They come together once a week for rehearsals, but the impact of the group goes far beyond the music room..
All Saints Blackbutt South parishioners of the last five decades, Peter and Marie Cunningham have been part of the choir since it began in 2023.
“It is fantastic, we go away from here every Saturday afternoon just feeling so uplifted after being here for a couple of hours,” Peter explained.
“We are meeting people in the same situation as us and that is comforting, [it is good to know] we are not one-offs in the community and the joy we get from the singing is helping us as well.”
Marie was diagnosed with dementia in 2008 and while her decline has been very slow, it has started to accelerate over the last 12 months. Peter said things like the choir bring them joy and comfort during what is an emotional and testing journey.
The pair have known each other for most of their lives, clocking up 58 years of marriage. This is one of the harder things they have faced.
“It’s a bit of a strain on both of us,” Peter said.
“We are so grateful for the choir. We might have been just sitting at home twiddling our thumbs on a Saturday afternoon and we are not doing that anymore.
“The choir group is a community; it’s like a family.”
Participants in the choir stay in touch through a WhatsApp group chat where they check in on each other and share information to help everyone through their journey.
For creators, University of Newcastle Associate Professor in Music Helen English and Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology Michelle Kelly, the choir has turned into something so much more than they could have imagined.
“It is just amazing, it is one of the best, if not the best thing I have ever done as part of my role at the University of Newcastle,” Michelle said.
“It definitely sits outside of what we would normally do, my job is predominately teaching about dementia and doing research, so it is such a joy to come here, such a privilege to get to know these people and see how they support each other.”
“I’m proud of how this group has come together, it is a really lovely supportive community, well beyond just coming together to have a sing and a cup of coffee.”
Helen and Michelle both confirmed that music is incredibly powerful for people living with dementia as it can often evoke memories.
“Music is actually the last memory that we lose, so people who have got quite advanced dementia can still remember songs. It is a wonderful and inspiring thing to see,” Helen said.
“It is special for carers to kind of get their loved one back for a short time.”
For Peter, the impact of music is obvious to him and Marie, but he also noticed it through a story from his sibling.
“My brother has a friend with dementia, and he is non-verbal but if he hears a song that he knows, he starts singing it,” he said.
Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Director of Mission and Evangelisation, James Camden, reinforced the significance of music, noting that it has played a pivotal role in offering community, connection and spiritual expression in the Church for centuries.
"Music has always been at the heart of the Church’s tradition, bringing people together in worship, reflection, and shared experience. In The Unforgettables, we see that same power at work—offering those living with dementia and their carers a source of belonging, comfort, and joy. It is a reminder that even when words fade, the language of music remains," he said.
Music therapist and founding conductor Stephanie Tuyl encourages anyone who is interested to get involved.
“I want to emphasise how important the sense of fun is, we don’t take ourselves too seriously and everyone is welcome,” she said.
“It is a real highlight to spend time together and it is so inspiring seeing the special moments created during rehearsals.”
The future goal for the team is to expand and create choirs in other areas across the Hunter so it is more accessible for people.
They know that music is powerful and want to share the benefits with as many people as possible.
To do this, they need our help. If you or your local parish have space, time, or talent to offer, please reach out by emailing helen.english@newcastle.edu.au
If you or one of your loved ones is living with dementia and is interested in joining the group, visit QR code - www.newcastle.edu.au/campus-life/newcastle/newcastle-city/spaces-and-places/the-conservatorium/music-programs/choirs
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