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Resilient Senior Russian-Australian Voices: “We Live to Sing and Sing to Live”

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  • Jane Southcott

    (Monash University, Clayto Campus)

  • Rohan Nethsinghe

    (RMIT University)

Abstract

This research examines the understandings and meanings of shared music making held by the members of the Young Hearts Russian choir in Melbourne, Australia and its impact on quality of life. The elderly participants in this interpretative phenomenological case data are first generation migrants who speak most strongly in their first language (Russian). Individual semi-structured interviews were undertaken with nine people and focus group discussion involved all 28 choir members. Data collected in their first language revealed stories of survival and resilience in the face of adversity. The findings are reported under two broad themes: Maintaining independence and resilience (Subthemes: The importance of participation, Maintaining ‘face’, Overcoming illness and disability, and Becoming a family), and Learning, rehearsing and performing music. Singing together enhances quality of life, combats social isolation, fosters resilience and sense of autonomy, and allows participants to access inner resources to face the challenges of life. Supported and enacted via musical and social engagement, the participants continue to be resilient in older age as they are faced with the consequences of ageing, particularly infirmity and isolation. They remain protective of their independence and resistant to relegation to residential care.

Suggested Citation

  • Jane Southcott & Rohan Nethsinghe, 2019. "Resilient Senior Russian-Australian Voices: “We Live to Sing and Sing to Live”," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(1), pages 39-58, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:14:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11482-017-9580-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-017-9580-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Farquhar, Morag, 1995. "Elderly people's definitions of quality of life," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 41(10), pages 1439-1446, November.
    2. Shain, Yossi & Barth, Aharon, 2003. "Diasporas and International Relations Theory," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 57(3), pages 449-479, July.
    3. Ruut Veenhoven, 2000. "The Four Qualities of Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 1-39, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christian WEISMAYER, 2022. "Applied Research in Quality of Life: A Computational Literature Review," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(3), pages 1433-1458, June.
    2. Alessandra Venturini & Andrea Ricci & Cristina Mosso, 2023. "Cultural Policies for migrant inclusion: a survey," Discussion Papers 64, Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI).
    3. Venturini, Alessandra & Mosso, Cristina & Ricci, Andrea, 2022. "Cultural Policies for Migrant Inclusion: A Survey," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis. Working Papers 202216, University of Turin.

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