Breath Cycle – Singing and Cystic Fibrosis
Improving the well-being of cystic fibrosis patients
About the Project
Scottish Opera and Gartnavel General Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Service worked together throughout 2013 to explore whether learning classical singing techniques, including breath control, would improve the wellbeing of cystic fibrosis patients. The project used online methods to allow CF patients to interact safely. The project was shortlisted for a Royal Philharmonic Award in 2014. |
Outcomes
Breath Cycle has produced both clinical and artistic outcomes. Co-creators Dr Gareth Williams (composer) and David James Brock (librettist) wrote music for and with participants to sing, while specialists studied the impact of regular singing on the health of participants, and on their musical identity. Work was also created for Scottish Opera singers to tour with Opera Highlights in 2014. Young People's Theatre commissioned A Million Billion Pieces in 2019- a piece of music theatre drawing on the experiences of Williams and Brock during this project. |
Resources
The resources created for Breath Cycle participants are available here for anyone to use. You'll find vocal and breathing exercises to listen to and sing along with, and there is a series of video tutorials to watch from our vocal coach, Marie Claire Breen. |
