Funding (which will be matched dollar for dollar through Creative Australia’s Plus1 program) will enable Sing Sing Sing to increase the accessibility, reach and impact of our choirs by: – Reducing term fees from the current rate of $150 per person to $50 per person making choir more affordable for people living with dementia and ...
Sing Sing Sing
Sing Sing Sing Amplified in 2026-2027
GOAL
$25,000
Australia > QLD > Metro
Field of Interest
- Arts and culture
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
Target Population
- People with a disability, illness or disease
- Seniors (65+)
Sing Sing Sing
Sing Sing Sing is Queensland's first choir for people living with dementia and for their carers. Sing Sing Sing supports people to live well with dementia and re-engage with their community, providing joyful experiences, meaningful opportunities for social connection and participation and reduction in stigma.
Dementia is the leading cause of disease burden for Australians over 65. People living with dementia and their carers report low levels of life satisfaction, symptoms of anxiety and depression, fewer relationships and high rates of loneliness, stigma and social exclusion.
Choral singing has been found to be one of the most effective interventions for reducing depression symptoms for people living with dementia and their carers. In an initial evaluation of Sing Sing Sing participants reported they enjoyed the choir, were more socially connected and that the choir had helped their thinking, memory and wellbeing.
Our two choirs (Bulimba and Redland City), supported by dedicated volunteers and led by professional musicians with experience in arts-health practice, rehearse weekly and perform regularly. Sing Sing Sing is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity. Until May 2026, Creative Australia’s Plus 1 program will match dollar for dollar (up to the value of $25 000) donations and trust and foundation grants given to Sing Sing Sing, doubling the impact of those contributions.
Project Summary
Funding (which will be matched dollar for dollar through Creative Australia’s Plus1 program) will enable Sing Sing Sing to increase the accessibility, reach and impact of our choirs by:
– Reducing term fees from the current rate of $150 per person to $50 per person making choir more affordable for people living with dementia and carers and removing a barrier to participation for people on fixed and/or low incomes
– Increasing the number of public performances, which help to build esteem and challenge the narrative of decline and stigma that is associated with a dementia diagnosis:
– Continuing to deliver weekly choir rehearsals in Bulimba and Redland City where people living with dementia and carers come together to enjoy singing together, learn new skills and build social connections
– Continuing to conduct “Come and Sing With Us” rehearsals where choir members invite family, friends and community to share the joy of singing with them helping to break the isolation and counter the stigma often associated with dementia
– Improving social media and marketing reach and engagement to raise the profile of the choir with people who be eligible to participate, potential volunteers, health practitioners and the community more broadly
Project Outcomes
Anticipated outcomes include
– 72 weekly rehearsals (9 per term in both Bulimba and Redlands) delivered
– 3 Come & Sing rehearsals delivered
– number of public performances increases from 1 per year to 3 per year
– increased number of people living with dementia and their carers participate in Sing Sing Sing experiencing the benefits of singing and performing in a choir
– increased number of participants in research being led by Professor Genevieve Dingle in relation to the impact of choir participation and feasibility of the Sing Sing Sing initiative
– implementation of social media strategy and plan results in expanded reach and engagement
– long term plan to maintain affordability through lower term fees
– increased recognition of Sing Sing Sing as an accessible, affordable and impactful intervention for people living with dementia and their carers
– increased body of knowledge through ongoing partnership with research team who are using best practice methods for evaluation of choir singing and wellbeing to better understand impact of choir participation on quality of life, wellbeing, and mood of people with dementia and their carers, loneliness and burden for carers, and feasibility of the initiative including accessibility, retention and reach
In addition to research being undertaken by a team led by Prof Genevieve Dingle from University of Queensland we will know we've achieved these outcomes through analysis of records of participation; evaluation of data gathered through the annual participant feedback survey and audience feedback.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $100,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Creative Australia's Plus1 matched funding | $25,000 |
| Term Fees | $20,000 |
| Funding Gap | $25,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Artistic Direction | $10,000 |
| Musician costs (72 rehearsals & 3 performances) | $50,000 |
| Evaluation | $10,000 |
| Music Purchasing, arrangement, insurances & licences | $3,000 |
| Volunteer Management | $2,000 |
| Phone, Internet, Printing & Stationary | $2,000 |
| Travel | $3,000 |
| Professional Services | $20,000 |
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