This article originally appeared in the May/June 2020 issue of the Ontario Medical Review magazine.
When OMA President Dr. Sohail Gandhi issued a challenge on social media encouraging followers to share the 20-second songs they sing while washing their hands, Voices Rock Medicine, a choir of over 40 women physicians, responded in harmony.
In the days prior to social distancing, the choir organized quickly to produce their reimagining of “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, a tune they re-worked to emphasize the importance of washing your hands thoroughly. Their video of the song – shot during a rehearsal attended by 30 choir members at Toronto’s Leaside United Church – was posted online March 11, and viewed over 10,000 times on social media. The rehearsal also caught the attention of CBC, CP24, CTV and Global TV, who sent cameras to capture the performance and interview members.
For Dr. Susan Thouin, the #handwashchallenge video is one of many highlights she’s experienced since the choir began. Last May, Dr. Thouin was looking for a hobby that would help her express herself and achieve some balance between her busy work and family life. At the time, her daughter and her husband were both involved in community choirs. “I saw how happy it made them and I thought I’d like to try it,” she says.
The Voices Rock Medicine choir sing their reimagining of “Happy” by Pharrell Williams as part of the #handwashchallenge.
Aware of the health benefits of singing together, Dr. Thouin thought some of her colleagues might like to try it too. She brought her idea to Cheryl Bower, the founder of Voices Rock Canada – a Toronto-based non-profit organization that supports community choirs – who helped her secure a rehearsal schedule, find a director, and acquire more members.
Dr. Thouin’s vision and Cheryl Bower’s know-how quickly combined and Voices Rock Medicine was formed.
“There was a lot of nervous energy at our first practice,” Dr. Thouin recalls. She knew only four of the almost 30 female physicians who showed up to that first rehearsal. The choir’s director, Anthony Bastianon, provided the support, expertise, and leadership the physicians needed to open up and feel more comfortable singing as a group.
In the year since the choir began, Anthony continues to make all the difference to the singers under his direction.
“He realizes that we’re a lot of type A personalities who all want to learn and do our best, but he’s also aware that this group is about more than just singing perfectly. He encourages us to have fun and enjoy ourselves and we really appreciate that.”
Anthony picks a new song for the choir to learn at each rehearsal and, after rehearsal ends, speculation about what song Anthony will teach next week begins.
“Monday is my favourite day of the week by far,” says Dr. Thouin. Even though it is the most hectic workday for many of the physicians, they always look forward to rehearsals when, for one special hour, nothing else matters. Like her fellow choir members, Dr. Thouin always feels “lighter and happier walking out of rehearsal.”
Now, as slowing the spread of COVID-19 continues to be Ontario’s priority, members of Voices Rock Medicine cannot gather in person on Mondays to share in their favourite hour of the week but, through virtual rehearsals, they remain committed to staying connected through song. Seeing each other and singing together gives all the members a sense of comfort during this pandemic.
On April 8, the choir released another video, this time of their performance of “Rise Again” by Leon Dubinsky, as a tribute to the health care community. The video features a culmination of recordings choir members captured while physical distancing at home or fighting COVID-19 on the frontlines.
The Voices Rock Medicine choir gather virtually to sing “Rise Again” by Leon Dubinsky, as a tribute to the health care community.
The video, another one of Anthony Bastianon’s creative ideas, provided a way for the choir to keep singing together and show support for their fellow health care workers.
“When we heard the song, we knew it could really make a difference for others,” says Dr. Thouin. The song has already made an enormous impact on their health care community. In only two weeks, with over 800,000 views online, the choir’s virtual performance was featured on the Stronger Together fundraiser broadcast across Canada on April 26.
Voices Rock Medicine has surpassed all of Dr. Thouin’s expectations, especially during this unprecedented time. Even though the choir is unsure when they’ll be able to sing in the same room again, Dr. Thouin says, “just knowing that our song has been uplifting and can offer some hope for people has made us so happy.”
Voices Rock Medicine is always open to new members. If you are interested in joining, or want more information, visit Voices Rock Canada.