Nancy Bos - Singing Through Change: Womens Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond

Singing Through Change Womens Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond Nancy Bos Joanne Bozeman Cate Frazier-Neely

STUDIOBOS MEDIA

Visit studiobos.com to read more about all of our books, audiobooks, and podcasts, and links to buy them.

You will also find features, author interviews, and news of any author events at singingthroughchange.com . You can sign up for e-newsletters so that youre always first to hear news.

Cover design by Christopher Bozeman

Cover art by Cate Frazier-Neely

First published in 2020 by StudioBos Media

StudioBos Media

PO Box 281

Suquamish, WA 98392 USA

studiobos.com

ISBN: 9798622317644

ASIN: B08659YNSG

Copyright StudioBos 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.

StudioBos and the authors do not have any control over or any responsibility for, any author or third-party websites referred to in or on this book.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publishers prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

This book was published in the middle of the COVID-19 health crisis . We find our title, Singing Through Change , is more on point than we could have imagined: due to the world crisis, typical ear, nose, and throat care may not be available for a time except in medical emergencies. However, we have been advised that voice care and consultations may be available via telemedicine or telepractice and through other online voice care providers. Contact your clinic for detailed information. We will post updates and links to more resources on the Singing Through Change website, singingthroughchange.com.

The information in this book is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any medical or emotional condition. The content of this book is for informational purposes only. The authors and publisher are not responsible for any conditions that require a licensed professional. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his/her health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. The use of this book implies the readers acceptance of this disclaimer.

Pseudonyms have been used for all of the interviewees.

Circumstances and details of their case studies have been changed to protect their privacy. Stories and quotations have been edited for brevity, clarity, and flow.

This book is dedicated to our mothers, daughters, and all women who sing. It is dedicated to the researchers who came before us and those who will follow. It is also dedicated to the 56 singers who graciously and openly shared their stories of midlife, menopause, and older age with us. Throughout the writing of the book, we continued to be struck by their willingness to walk us through their vocal journeys, health issues, and the emotional challenges they faced. FOREWORD

When I was asked to review this book and possibly write a foreword, I was anticipating a how-to manual for the menopausal woman. What I found was a collection of unique lived experiences from every stage in an adult womans life, accompanied by equally unique and individualized solutions. The featured life experiences soon resembled a choir of unified voices sending the message that its possible for voice changes at all stages of hormonal adjustments in a womans voice. Thankfully, the life experience stories are accompanied in the book by well vetted strategies and resources. The authors offer both traditional and alternative medical solutions for the reader.

Of course, dealing with a changing voice can be challenging and like any challenge in life, we get to decide how we react to that challenge. I read a quote from John Henny, a voice colleague, who stated, We spend so much time depressed about the past or anxious about the future that we often miss the miracle of the present. Every moment you get to spend with your voice should be treasured and experienced fully. The experiences of the women in this book embodied this sentiment fully.

The book shares positive outcomes using a variety of strategies. Even women who cant relate to any specific experience in the book should find hope to persist in finding answers for specific challenges. With the right information and personal choice of treatment a woman can find confidence to continue to sing at every stage of life and with its accompanying voice changes.

Postscript:

Yesterday in church I listened to a much older woman singing behind me. She was probably in her late 80s and though her voice may have been a bit wobbly and not as secure as her younger voice, she sang with careless abandon. Before this book I may have listened with my normal How can I fix that? ears, but with my post Singing Through Change ears, I thought to myself What a lovely sound! After the service I remarked to her that I loved hearing her beautiful voice singing behind me. She replied with a smile Well, its not what it used to be, to which I said, No its not. Its what it is today and it is beautiful. Thank you for continuing to share with us.

Teri Stock, Singing Specialist and NCVS Trained Vocologist

Teri and I can say together with one loud voice that Singing Through Change: Women s Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond is a must-read for anyone who is a singer, voice teacher, singing specialist, or medical professional. What an incredible resource for all those involved with voice in any way. As a practicing Otolaryngologist I regret not having information such as this early on in my practice. Treating women with vocal problems has now become a much more complex proposal as I take into consideration age, vocation, vocal use, and occupation. I have a new perspective on this complex issue of the never ending change my more mature female voice patients deal with. The insight this book gives into this complex matter for those of us treating vocal problems is immeasurable. I now have added extra time to fully evaluate my female voice patients as a direct result of the added knowledge gained from this opus. A thorough understanding of hormones is incumbent on those of us dealing with female singers. Reading the experiences of women and additional insight given by the authors has totally changed my approach and evaluation of mature women singers.

I appreciate women more than I ever have after reading this book, not just pertaining to voice, but to the obstacles in all aspects of life. Perhaps this should be a must read for all men.

Dr. Curt R Stock, Otolaryngologist, NCVS trained Vocologist

Teri Stock and her husband, Dr. Curt Stock, both trained vocologists through the National Center for Voice and Speech (NCVS), work as a voice team treating voice problems in singers in Utah as well as other locations. Dr. Stocks role is to diagnose and treat or recommend treatment. Often he then meets with the vocal team to discuss treatment. At times, that team includes Teri Stock, a singing specialist. Teris role is to help those who have issues with singing and can include helping the singer adjust to and accept a changed instrument.

CONTENTS

C ONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

H OW THE B OOK B EGAN

Like many people, the three of us grew up singing in our communities and in school. We didnt know each other, but we all sang through childhood, high school, and college. Individually we each turned to performing and teaching as our lifes work, and all along the way we shared a deep love of learning.

Next page