Lisburn woman seeks to provide comfort through song to those at the end of life

Kirsty, who lives in Lisburn, is setting up a Threshold Choir, which will provide gentle musical comfort for those in their last days of life.

Having always had a passion for music, Kirsty has set up several choirs, including Hinch Harmony, Sing and Tonic, and Harmony Too.

"Since I completed my music degree at Queens and PGCE at Stranmillis, I have led choirs and singing, with both adults and children,” she explained.

"Lisburn Harmony Ladies Choir was begun 16 years ago and now provides a singing home to 90 women from all walks of life, ages and stages.

"I'm also a trained Song Therapist, and trained to be both a counsellor and Life Coach. So I guess I'm amalgamating my skills and qualifications for this work.”

Kirsty was inspired to set up the Threshold Choir after Lisburn Harmony Ladies Choir sang in care homes during covid.

"One of the residents was very poorly, and her family had been called to the home to sit with her, as the staff felt that her time on earth was coming to an end,” Kirsty explained.

"One of the family members spoke to our choir group, and told them they would like to leave the door open to her room, so they could hear.

"We were only too happy to know that they wished to do so, but didn't think more of it at the time.

"A few days later I received a beautiful email from the resident's daughter. Her mummy had since passed away, but she wanted to let me know that having watched her mummy writhing around her bed, and being very unsettled for days, the first time she calmed was when the choir was singing.

"She told us that her mummy's breathing relaxed and she seemed content for the first time since they'd been called to the home.

"She noted how peaceful her mummy was, and said that she had stayed peaceful until she died. She attributed this experience to her hearing the choir singing. What a beautiful and sacred privilege to know that our singing had helped someone.

"After this I began researching the idea of a bedside choir. There are two Threshold groups in Ireland, currently being set up, so I decided to go with that option, as it meant we organisers could help each other out.”

The Threshold Choir will be made up of women and will sing gentle, soothing songs at the bedside of those at the end of life.

"Women’s voices, especially in unison or simple harmony, tend to sit in a soothing, mid-to-high register, blend easily without needing amplification, and feel less intrusive in very quiet, fragile environments,” explained Kirsty.

“That lullaby-like quality is central – these songs are often described as being sung to someone, not performed for them.”

Kirsty is keen to invite women who feel they would like to join the choir to get involved, with rehearsals planned monthly in South Belfast.

"To join the choir you need to be prepared to attend monthly rehearsals, either in person, or online,” she continued.

"At these rehearsals we will be learning a variety of Threshold choir songs and other gentle songs, with few words, few lines but beautiful harmonies.

"Once we have a sufficient toolkit of songs we will be able to offer our singing to anyone who'd like to avail of it.

"Singers can expect both the rehearsals and "performances" to be calm, safe spaces, where judgement is suspended completely, and the emphasis is on presence.

"The singing will all take place in a circle, so harmonies can be both heard and felt.

"Rehearsals will begin with a gentle warm up, before melody and harmony lines are taught, with time and space in which to learn and process.

"There will also be a training point discussion for each rehearsal, when people's thoughts will be thoroughly explored and acknowledged.

"There is no pressure to sing by a bedside either, so it is enough to want to be a part of the singing group.

"Rehearsals will last around 1.5 hours but beside singing is between 15 and 20 minutes, using discretion.

"We will not be able to offer bedside singing until we feel confident in doing so, this is not a process to be rushed, and we will give ourselves all the time we need to feel prepared and ready.”

There will be a nominal charge for membership of the choir to cover room hire and admin costs, however Kirsty insists no one should let money get in their way if they would like to be involved.

“In essence, I want to set up a Threshold choir because it feels like a very natural extension of who I already am and what I already do – just brought into a quieter, more intimate space,” Kirsty added.

"I try to create spaces where people feel held, where voices matter, and where music becomes a way of supporting wellbeing.

"A threshold choir takes all of that and gently places it at one of the most meaningful moments in someone’s life.

“I care very deeply about my singers, my community and the offering we create.

"A threshold choir feels like a way of extending care outward, offering something truly meaningful beyond concerts and rehearsals.

“It’s also about legacy, in a quiet way. Creating something that serves people at the end of life, that supports families, that gives singers a way to contribute something deeply human.

“My belief is that singing can hold people at all points of their lives, and what a privilege to be able to offer to hold someone at the end of their time on earth.”

To find out more about the Threshold Choir, email [email protected].