By L. J. McCulloch*
And T. J. Mock**

From One Voice Came Many: Unique Choir of Brain Injured People
Provides Hope, Education and Inspiration

This unique story of “The Therapy Choir” must be told! This special group of men and women are recovering from traumatic brain injuries, substance abuse problems and mental illness. They have given 125 free performances as of January, 2006. They perform at schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, rescue missions and other private and public venues.

Since their start in 1998, they have recorded five CDs and have been featured in four PBS TV specials. They have been regularly seen on several cable networks throughout the state of Michigan. They have been written about in twenty-eight newspapers, so far, and have given five annual performances to kick-off March as Brain Injury Awareness Month in Michigan, at our State Capitol in Lansing, for the entire Legislative Body. They champion the cause of traumatic brain injured people in Michigan. They were a Year 2000 Nominee for the Outstanding Achievement Award in Performing Arts by the Farmington Area Arts Council. In June 2005, they performed for former President Jimmy Carter, Roslyn Carter, Governor Granholm, Mayor Kilpatrick and 1400 workers at a Habitat for Humanity – Detroit luncheon!

The Choir is headquartered at Broe Rehabilitation Service, Inc. of Farmington Hills, MI, a multi-disciplinary program which has treated thousands of traumatic brain injured people over the past twenty years. The choir began six years ago with only one voice and now boasts twenty-five members.

According to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMi), every 21 seconds in the United States, someone sustains a traumatic brain injury. These injuries have great impact on this population’s ability to function in society. There are many medical, psychological, emotional, vocational, family, and often legal consequences of traumatic brain injuries. Michigan is unique in our nation by offering automobile no-fault insurance coverage which can, in some cases, provide lifetime care for victims of catastrophic injuries. The Therapy Choir has played a big role in Michigan’s brain injury rehabilitation industry.

This is its story:

A new patient, named Louis, was admitted to Broe Rehabilitation Services after being an inpatient at Northville State Hospital for fourteen years due to severe cognitive, emotional, and physical problems. He had brain damage from an incident of hypoxia (deprivation of oxygen to the brain). He was one of the first to occupy the original group home for brain-injured people in Wayne County, sponsored by Broe Rehabilitation Services, Inc.

Louis would not talk. He was able to talk, but weeks went by and he still wasn’t communicating with peers or staff. Mr. Len McCulloch, Director of Psychological Services at Broe Rehabilitation, saw Louis keeping a beat to music that he was listening to on a radio. He asked Louis, “I know you’re not much on talking but, by chance, can you sing?” Louis stood up and belted out a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace.” McCulloch said to Louis, “We have a choir now and you are it.” McCulloch and Louis began to meet weekly and would sing back and forth to each other. Eventually, Louis become more talkative and communications followed. In the meantime, other Broe Rehab consumers overheard the singing sessions and wanted in. Before long there were five members who knew five songs and they borrowed five robes from the local Our Lady of Lorrentto Church Choir.

The choir was then invited to perform at the Annual Brain Injury Association of Michigan’s (BIAMi) convention in Lansing. Although not being able to produce a musical masterpiece, the choir gave its first performance which was met with a standing ovation and many tears and smiles from the audience about what they had accomplished. They were invited, on the spot, by the BIAMi to perform again at the next yearly convention.

In the meantime, the choir grew. More robes were donated from the Farmington First United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills. More songs were learned. Performances at schools and assisted living programs, et cetera, followed.

When they are all well, the choir now consists of twenty-five members and has beautiful cobalt blue robes donated from The First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak. They have learned over thirty songs and there are poems and inspirational readings recited by choir members. They educate students from kindergarten through college about trauma, recovery and safety. They also go to rescue missions to inspire and leave hope in their wake.

The Therapy Choir has also taken on several yearly special projects. They have given six annual Christmas Concerts for the Historic Detroit Rescue Mission. They continue to promote their “Hats for the Homeless” campaign of collecting hats; gloves and a general clothing drive which is presented each year to the Detroit Rescue Mission at the Christmas Concert. They initiated “Project Protection”. These are concerts that occur each spring at our high schools to deter drinking and driving at spring break time, prom time and graduation time. They have worked in conjunction with Students against Drunk Driving to put on performances for the Royal Oak High Schools, Coldwater, Michigan High Schools and the Farmington High Schools. These shows are broadcast community wide on local cable channels throughout the spring months for all to view.

The Therapy Choir is now opening themselves up to the community at large in their “Volunteer Voices Program”. Individuals with disabilities in our community are welcome to perform with the choir. They only need to provide their own transportation and a chaperon, if warranted. Rehearsals are conducted each Tuesday from 12:45 to 1:45pm at Broe Rehabilitation in Farmington Hills. Their busy schedule of at least two public performances per month has been maintained for over six years now. Ms. Terrye Mock coordinated the “Volunteer Voices” portion of the choir and conducts choir promotion in the community. Folks without disabilities are also welcome and a good singing voice is not required.

“Fan Mail” in the form of letters, drawings and cards, made by students of all ages, are received at the Broe Rehabilitation Center with positive messages which encourage and empower the choir’s “Tour of Hope”. Recently, a 5th grade student at Our Lady of Lorrentto School in Redford/Detroit wrote to the choir:

• “Dear Therapy Choir: Thank you for coming and singing for us. I really enjoyed it. You taught me how to be more careful about hitting my head. I think you should come and sing for our school again, you probably saved a couple if not more kids’ lives. Thank you!!”

Similarly, a student from Emerson Elementary School, in Warren, wrote to the choir:
• “At an assembly yesterday, I saw a boy that broke my heart. This boy was run over when he was my age. I wish I could take back what happened to him. There were tears coming out of my eyes. I will always think of him and will pray and every time I go across the road I will think of him even if I don’t know him.”

Finally, a student, also from Emerson school wrote:

• “Yesterday The Therapy Choir performed at Emerson. I learned to always look both ways before crossing the street. Also I learned to always, wear a helmet when you go on a bike ride, or roller-skating. Also to always buckle up in a car. I learned a lot from the assembly. I learned to protect your brain, your stomach and your heart. That’s what you should protect in your body. And that’s what I learned.”

On December 14th, 2005 the choir gave its 100th show! They chose to celebrate their milestone with Detroit’s dispossessed at the Historic Detroit Rescue Mission. They could have arranged a more prestigious venue but remained true to their committed “Tour of Hope”. They had hoped to give away and quietly celebrated while loudly singing along with our homeless population. From one voice came many!! Music therapy is not new. But this unique application of music as therapy is making big strides in the United States due to programs like The Therapy Choir.

Benefits to members are numerous and include:

• Self-Discipline.
• Communication skills, especially in the areas of vocabulary, rhyme, and cadence.
• Memory building exercises through consistently learning new material.
• The ability to be a “Team Player” and to work “IN HARMONY” with others.
• Manners, etiquette and learning the importance of a good presentation.
• Learning skills, attention, concentration, and following instructions.
• Self-Esteem because of the positive response they receive from those who appreciate their efforts and accomplishments.
• Mental and emotional support from the Choir’s Director, touring staff, and listening audiences.

The Therapy Choir has a rigorous schedule of rehearsals and public performances during the coming months. Our mission continues and we continue to grow. For information please call (248) 474-2763, ext. 22.

This is the story that must be told!
Visit our website at www.broechoir.com

* Len J. McCulloch, Choir Founder and Director
** Terrye J. Mock, Volunteer Coordinator

*“ Leonard J. McCulloch, Choir Founder and Director, is a Diplomat of the American Psychotherapy Association. He is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist and has Board Certification in Traumatic Stress and related credentials in mental health, social work, and substance abuse. He has authored over 80 published articles and maintains a monthly column “Our Mental Health” in several syndicated newspapers. He is a consultant to Broe Rehabilitation Services, Farmington Hills, MI and can be reached at (248) 4742-BROE, Ext. 22.

** “Terrye J. Mock holds an advanced graduate degree in counseling. Having completed her internship with the assistance of McCulloch she is pursing private practice. In addition to volunteering her time to assist in choir promotion, especially in our unique “Volunteer Voices” endeavors, she is Associate Director of Project TRUST, a peer education program focusing on alternatives to violence for middle and high school students. She is a workshop presenter in areas of interpersonal skills (Scenario Role Play) and sensory integration (creative movement). She also can be reached at (248) 474-BROE, ext. 22 or (248) 505-3951.