By Dick Milanese
On Sunday, July 23 we attended the Summer Concert and Ice Cream Social which featured performances by the West Side Treble Clefs. This group is part of a Parkinson’s Disease program which helps provide rehab for the disease by providing musical therapy. One of the problems with Parkinson’s Disease is that it often results in decreased voice volume and monotone quality of voice, in addition to tremors and movement difficulties. The program provides vocal and movement exercises which generate new learning and comfortable challenges in a shared supportive environment. Part of this is singing together as a group with weekly rehearsals.
The group holds performances on a regular basis to which the public is invited, and this participation develops connections and provides support to people with Parkinson’s disease and their spouses and caregivers. The organization was founded in 1994 in Scottsdale and has four meeting places located in Scottsdale, Mesa, Sun Lakes and Sun City. The July 23 concert was performed by the West Side Tremble Clefs who are located at the Sheperd of the Desert Lutheran Church at 11025 N. 11th Ave, Sun City. The program is non-denominational and open to anyone with Parkinson’s disease and their families for support.
