Healing sound of voices

Singing in Harmony

Comfort Choir

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The Comfort Choir brings comfort, calm, spirit, and a soul-connection to the bedsides of patients.

We visit as a group of two to four singers and choose our songs based on the patient and family’s musical taste, spiritual direction and current circumstances. Family and friends are welcome to sing with us. We also sing for memorials, funerals and vigils. Offering a kind and gentle presence, soft voices in harmony, and compassion, we hope to provide a special kind of care. We are currently in residence at Michael Garron Hospital Palliative Care unit (formerly Toronto East General Hospital or TEGH), where we sing weekly. The service is offered free of charge.

Contact our music director, Susanne Maziarz at music(at)nuuc.(ca), for more info.

Toronto Star Feature

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Toronto Star Jan 5, 2025, pp A15-16
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I believe that everyone has the power to make one small change and make the world a better place. I am moved in surprising ways each week and have unexpected insights into life and death, friendship, family, community, the power of music, health and love.

Susanne Maziarz

I feel so lucky that TEGH agreed to allow us to volunteer on a weekly basis. Patients, communicative and non-verbal, conscious and unconscious, respond favourably to our visits, our songs and chants. Staff, caregivers, and visitors are uplifted. Tears both joyful and bittersweet are shed. I also feel fulfilled giving a small part of myself to each of them and for being able to give back to such an excellent facility in our very own neighbourhood. My life is deepened as I am reminded how precious the gifts of life and health are, as well as our own mortality, and how I hope to be cared for in my times of need.

Allison Kabayama

When we sang for our very first patient in the hospice at TEGH, we began with Amazing Grace. Within moments, silent tears were falling down this woman’s cheeks. The second woman we sang for was clearly uncomfortable and in great pain. As we began to sing, her agitation lessened and her breathing slowed. When we returned the next week, we were told that she had died sometime soon after our visit. Each week there are difficult and joyful and powerful moments for me. This choir is doing humbling and beautiful work, and I’m deeply grateful to be a part of it.

Amanda Fischer