FINAL PRINT Singing Through Change Manuscript
Singing Through Change is a multidisciplinary, research‑driven guide that documents and explains how perimenopause, menopause, and later aging affect women’s singing voices. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 56 women singers, a comprehensive review of clinical and scientific literature (including studies on hormone therapy, laryngopharyngeal reflux, autoimmune disease, and acoustic measurements), and the authors’ own clinical experience, the book maps the physiological, psychological, and artistic challenges that arise as female vocalists age. It offers concrete, evidence‑based strategies for singers, voice teachers, and clinicians—ranging from vocal warm‑ups, somatic techniques, and lifestyle adjustments to medical referrals and hormone‑therapy considerations. The work also situates voice change within broader health and wellbeing contexts, highlighting the mental‑health benefits of choir participation, the impact of stress and trauma, and the importance of community support. Author biographies underscore their combined expertise in vocal performance, pedagogy, vocology, and health education, positioning the book as both a scholarly resource and a practical handbook for anyone working with or experiencing the “second voice change.” The manuscript concludes with extensive bibliographic references, online resources, and calls for further research and community engagement.
Topics
Physiological and Clinical Factors Affecting the Female Singing Voice in Midlife
Explores the biological mechanisms—hormonal shifts, tissue elasticity, reflux, thyroid and autoimmune issues—that reshape vocal fold vibration, pitch stability, and resonance in perimenopausal and menopausal singers, and reviews clinical evidence on hormone therapy and related treatments.
Mixed‑Methods Research Design: Interviews and Literature Synthesis
Describes the book’s methodological framework that combines qualitative interviews with 56 midlife singers and a systematic review of clinical and scientific literature. Highlights triangulation of lived experience with quantitative evidence to generate comprehensive insights.
Practical Vocal Care and Somatic Techniques for Aging Singers
Provides evidence‑based exercises, warm‑ups, and somatic practices (e.g., Alexander Technique, yoga, breath work) alongside acoustic hygiene and lifestyle recommendations designed to preserve vocal health and artistic expression in older women.
Authors’ Interdisciplinary Expertise and Credibility
Profiles Nancy Bos, Joanne Bozeman, and Cate Frazier‑Neely, detailing their combined backgrounds in performance, vocology, pedagogy, health education, and research that underpin the book’s authority.