Social distancing and choral singing during the Covid-19 pandemic: challenges and vocal symptoms of chorists

Martinho, Diego Henrique da Cruz; Constantini, Ana Carolina; Amin, Elisabeth; Behlau, Mara Suzana

doi:10.1590/2317-1782/20232021175en

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Original Article • CoDAS 35 (6) • 2023 • https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20232021175en copy

Social distancing and choral singing during the Covid-19 pandemic: challenges and vocal symptoms of chorists

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To analyze the perception of choristers who perform online rehearsals about symptoms, vocal disadvantages, adaptations in the singing routine and difficulties in rehearsals during social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

Application of an online questionnaire investigating perceptions about the voice and singing routine and rehearsal of 141 choristers who did not have COVID-19 disease and continued in remote activity until April 2021. Participants were divided in two groups according to the age: G1 (18 to 54 years old) and G2 (55 years old or more). The data underwent descriptive and inferential analysis, considering a significance level of 5%.

Results

During distancing, both groups reported a decrease in singing time and felt more difficult to sing alone. Choir singers reported fewer throat infections during this period. Choir singers from G1 noticed a huskier voice, reported difficulty concentrating via videoconferencing, felt nervous to singing alone in virtual rehearsals and stressed recording the same song several times. G2 choristers reported more physical vocal symptoms such as: tired voice, varying throughout the day, and a weaker and more breathy voice.

Conclusion

In social distancing, the choristers found it more difficult to sing by videoconference and had reduced singing practice time. Younger choir singers reported more emotional symptoms and older choir singers reported more vocal symptoms.

Keywords:
Voice; Singing; Coronavirus Infections; Pandemics; Education Distance

Question	Period	Average	SD	Median	p-value
1) Do you have voice problems?	BD	0.85	0.88	1.00	0.862
1) Do you have voice problems?	DD	0.83	0.95	0.50	0.862
2) Are you forced to limit your study/rehearsal time?	BD	0.36	0.65	0.00	0.384
2) Are you forced to limit your study/rehearsal time?	DD	0.45	0.75	0.00	0.384
3) Do you have difficulty with dynamics like “pianissimo” or “fortissimo”?	BD	0.86	1.04	1.00	0.941
	DD	0.82	0.96	1.00	0.941
4) Do you take medication to hide vocal problems?	BD	0.23	0.67	0.00	0.792
4) Do you take medication to hide vocal problems?	DD	0.24	0.72	0.00	0.792
5) Does your voice crack?	BD	0.80	0.93	1.00	0.525
5) Does your voice crack?	DD	0.71	0.82	0.50	0.525
6) Do you get anxious about singing during rehearsal?	BD	1.08	1.13	1.00	0.498
6) Do you get anxious about singing during rehearsal?	DD	0.98	1.12	0.50	0.498
7) Do you get worried when you are asked to repeat a warmup or musical segment?	BD	0.77	1.05	0.00	0.084
	DD	1.02	1.12	1.00	0.084
8) Are you unhappy with your singing voice?	BD	0.97	1.02	1.00	0.870
8) Are you unhappy with your singing voice?	DD	0.92	1.06	0.50	0.870
9) Are you ashamed when singing?	BD	1.20	1.22	1.00	0.261
9) Are you ashamed when singing?	DD	1.06	1.19	1.00	0.261
10) Do you have problems controlling your breathing while singing?	BD	1.30	0.89	1.50	0.192
	DD	1.15	0.98	1.00	0.192
11) Do you feel like you have a weak or airy voice?	BD	0.98	1.02	1.00	0.374
11) Do you feel like you have a weak or airy voice?	DD	0.88	0.92	1.00	0.374
12) Do you feel your voice can be hoarse or scratchy?	BD	0.77	0.94	0.50	0.018^* * statistically significant variables
12) Do you feel your voice can be hoarse or scratchy?	DD	0.50	0.69	0.00	0.018^* * statistically significant variables
13) Is singing a difficult or tiring task?	BD	0.62	0.86	0.00	0.674
13) Is singing a difficult or tiring task?	DD	0.58	0.77	0.00	0.674
14) Does your voice tire easily during presentations/rehearsals/recordings?	BD	1.11	0.88	1.00	0.266
	DD	0.95	1.00	1.00	0.266
15) Does your singing ability vary from day to day?	BD	1.20	0.98	1.00	0.063
15) Does your singing ability vary from day to day?	DD	1.38	0.96	1.00	0.063
16) Does your throat hurt?	BD	0.79	0.87	1.00	0.044*
16) Does your throat hurt?	DD	0.53	0.85	0.00	0.044*
17) Do you have a generally raspy or scratchy voice?	BD	0.47	0.85	0.00	0.143
17) Do you have a generally raspy or scratchy voice?	DD	0.33	0.64	0.00	0.143
18) Do you lose your voice?	BD	0.44	0.66	0.00	0.058
18) Do you lose your voice?	DD	0.30	0.58	0.00	0.058
19) Do you cough or feel the need to clear your throat?	BD	1.18	1.09	1.00	0.059
19) Do you cough or feel the need to clear your throat?	DD	0.97	1.01	1.00	0.059
20) Do you feel like you have something stuck in your throat?	BD	0.74	1.01	0.00	0.941
	DD	0.71	1.08	0.00	0.941
21) Do you have throat infections?	BD	0.64	0.95	0.00	0.005*
21) Do you have throat infections?	DD	0.38	0.67	0.00	0.005*
22) Does it hurt to talk?	BD	0.61	0.99	0.00	0.490
22) Does it hurt to talk?	DD	0.55	0.91	0.00	0.490
23) Do you feel improvements when you rest your voice?	BD	0.56	0.79	0.00	0.672
23) Do you feel improvements when you rest your voice?	DD	0.50	0.73	0.00	0.672

Variable and categories	n	%	p-valor
1. Concentrating during videoconference is
Harder	38	57.58	Ref.
Easier	8	12.12	0.022^* * statistically significant variable
I don’t see a difference	19	28.79	0.044*
I prefer not to answer	1	1.52	0.005*
2. a) I get nervous when I have to sing alone during videoconference rehearsals.
I agree.	40	60.61	Ref.
I disagree.	22	33.33	0.04*
I prefer not to answer	4	6.06	0.04*
2. b) It’s harder to sing individually than in a group.
I agree.	45	68.18	Ref.
I disagree.	20	30.30	0.003*
I prefer not to answer	1	1.52	<0.001*
2. c) It isn’t easy to find a silent place to study or rehearse and this is a problem for my performance in online rehearsals.
I agree.	37	56.06	Ref.
I disagree.	28	42.42	0.268
I prefer not to answer	1	1.52	<0.001*
2. d) I can’t project my voice in the place that is available for me to study.
I agree.	32	48.48	0.746
I disagree.	34	51.52	0.746
2. e) My singing practice time has considerably reduced during the pandemic.
I agree.	46	69.70	0.004*
I disagree.	20	30.30	0.004*
2. f) I am ashamed to record videos of myself singing alone.
I agree.	25	37.88	0.062
I disagree.	41	62.12	0.062
2. g) I have a lot of difficulties when dealing with technology.
I agree.	11	16.67	<0.001*
I disagree.	55	83.33	<0.001*
2. h) My connection isn’t always good, and this is a problem for my rehearsal quality.
I agree.	21	31.82	0.004*
I disagree.	45	68.18	0.004*
2. i) Recording the same song many times (video or audio) makes me stressed.
I agree.	44	66.67	0.011*
I disagree.	22	33.33	0.011*
2. j) Recording the same song many times (video or audio) makes my voice tired.
I agree.	35	53.03	0.628
I disagree.	31	46.97	0.628
2. k) I feel that my inexperience makes it more difficult for me to sing alone.
I agree.	23	34.85	0.042*
I disagree.	41	62.12	Ref.
I prefer not to answer	2	3.03	0.105
2. l) I get nervous when I sing alone during rehearsal and my voice doesn’t come out the way I want.
I agree.	28	42.42	0.268
I disagree.	37	56.06	Ref.
I prefer not to answer	1	1.52	<0.001*
2. m) My breathing was better before distancing.
I agree.	36	54.55	Ref.
I disagree.	29	43.94	0.381
I prefer not to answer	1	1.52	<0.001*

Question	Period	Average	SD	Median	p-value
1) Do you have voice problems?	BD	0.76	0.77	1.00	0.002^* * statistically significant variables
1) Do you have voice problems?	DD	1.19	1.10	1.00	0.002^* * statistically significant variables
2) Are you forced to limit your study/rehearsal time?	BD	0.24	0.54	0.00	0.009*
2) Are you forced to limit your study/rehearsal time?	DD	0.51	0.83	0.00	0.009*
3) Do you have difficulty with dynamics like “pianissimo” or “fortissimo”?	BD	0.60	0.79	0.00	0.400
	DD	0.68	0.95	0.00	0.400
4) Do you take medication to hide vocal problems?	BD	0.07	0.25	0.00	0.317
4) Do you take medication to hide vocal problems?	DD	0.04	0.20	0.00	0.317
5) Does your voice crack?	BD	0.67	0.83	0.00	0.697
5) Does your voice crack?	DD	0.69	0.91	0.00	0.697
6) Do you get anxious about singing during rehearsal?	BD	0.88	1.01	1.00	0.152
6) Do you get anxious about singing during rehearsal?	DD	1.07	1.20	1.00	0.152
7) Do you get worried when you are asked to repeat a warmup or musical segment?	BD	0.64	1.02	0.00	0.001*
	DD	1.00	1.21	1.00	0.001*
8) Are you unhappy with your singing voice?	BD	0.85	0.91	1.00	0.110
8) Are you unhappy with your singing voice?	DD	1.00	1.15	1.00	0.110
9) Are you ashamed when singing?	BD	0.81	0.90	1.00	0.233
9) Are you ashamed when singing?	DD	0.91	1.16	0.00	0.233
10) Do you have problems controlling your breathing while singing?	BD	1.01	0.91	1.00	0.051
	DD	1.23	0.95	1.00	0.051
11) Do you feel like you have a weak or airy voice?	BD	0.81	0.82	1.00	0.041*
11) Do you feel like you have a weak or airy voice?	DD	1.01	1.10	1.00	0.041*
12) Do you feel your voice can be hoarse or scratchy?	BD	0.76	0.82	1.00	0.176
12) Do you feel your voice can be hoarse or scratchy?	DD	0.63	0.88	0.00	0.176
13) Is singing a difficult or tiring task?	BD	0.33	0.60	0.00	0.022*
13) Is singing a difficult or tiring task?	DD	0.56	0.95	0.00	0.022*
14) Does your voice tire easily during presentations/rehearsals/recordings?	BD	0.67	0.74	1.00	0.002*
	DD	1.04	0.96	1.00	0.002*
15) Does your singing ability vary from day to day?	BD	0.83	0.88	1.00	0.007*
15) Does your singing ability vary from day to day?	DD	1.11	1.03	1.00	0.007*
16) Does your throat hurt?	BD	0.56	0.76	0.00	0.009*
16) Does your throat hurt?	DD	0.36	0.65	0.00	0.009*
17) Do you have a generally raspy or scratchy voice?	BD	0.43	0.70	0.00	0.113
17) Do you have a generally raspy or scratchy voice?	DD	0.56	0.79	0.00	0.113
18) Do you lose your voice?	BD	0.31	0.52	0.00	0.384
18) Do you lose your voice?	DD	0.36	0.73	0.00	0.384
19) Do you cough or feel the need to clear your throat?	BD	0.88	0.84	1.00	0.313
19) Do you cough or feel the need to clear your throat?	DD	0.79	0.89	1.00	0.313
20) Do you feel like you have something stuck in your throat?	BD	0.56	0.76	0.00	0.766
	DD	0.59	0.89	0.00	0.766
21) Do you have throat infections?	BD	0.45	0.66	0.00	0.004*
21) Do you have throat infections?	DD	0.25	0.55	0.00	0.004*
22) Does it hurt to talk?	BD	0.31	0.61	0.00	0.684
22) Does it hurt to talk?	DD	0.28	0.58	0.00	0.684
23) Do you feel improvements when you rest your voice?	BD	0.40	0.68	0.00	0.545
23) Do you feel improvements when you rest your voice?	DD	0.44	0.76	0.00	0.545

Variable and categories	n	%	p-valor
1. Concentrating during videoconference is
Harder	35	46.67	Ref.
Easier	11	14.67	0.065
I don’t see a difference	28	37.33	0.428
Prefer not to answer	1	1.33	0.008^* * statistically significant variable
2. a) I get nervous when I have to sing alone during videoconference rehearsals.
Agree	38	50.67	Ref.
Disagree	36	48.00	0.797
Prefer not to answer	1	1.33	<0.001*
2. b) It’s harder to sing individually than in a group.
Agree	53	70.67	Ref.
Disagree	21	28.00	0.001*
Prefer not to answer	1	1.33	<0.001*
2. c) It isn’t easy to find a silent place to study or rehearse and this is a problem for my performance in online rehearsals.
Agree	40	45.98	0.234
Disagree	47	54.02	Ref.
2. d) I can’t project my voice in the place that is available for me to study.
Agree	34	39.08	0.007*
Disagree	53	60.92	Ref.
2. e) My singing practice time has considerably reduced during the pandemic.
Agree	54	62.07	Ref.
Disagree	32	36.78	0.081
Prefer not to answer	1	1.15	<0.001*
2. f) I am ashamed to record videos of myself singing alone.
Agree	33	37.93	0.015*
Disagree	54	62.07	Ref.
2. g) I have a lot of difficulties when dealing with technology.
Agree	26	29.89	<0.001*
Disagree	61	70.11	Ref.
2. h) My connection isn’t always good, and this is a problem for my rehearsal quality.
Agree	30	34.48	0.007*
Disagree	57	65.52	Ref.
2. i) Recording the same song many times (video or audio) makes me stressed.
Agree	45	51.72	Ref.
Disagree	40	45.98	0.553
Prefer not to answer	2	2.30	0.184
2. j) Recording the same song many times (video or audio) makes my voice tired.
Agree	46	52.87	Ref.
Disagree	40	45.98	0.309
Prefer not to answer	1	1.15	<0.001*
2. k) I feel that my inexperience makes it more difficult for me to sing alone.
Agree	36	41.38	0.032*
Disagree	51	58.62	Ref.
2. l) I get nervous when I sing alone during rehearsal and my voice doesn’t come out the way I want.
Agree	36	41.38	0.081
Disagree	50	57.47	Ref.
Prefer not to answer	1	1.149	<0.001*
2. m) My breathing was better before distancing.
Agree	42	48.28	0.669
Disagree	44	50.57	Ref.
Prefer not to answer	1	1.15	<0.001*

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[1] Conflict of interests: nothing to declare.