Still singing after all these years – A Perceptual Study of Post-menopausal Singing Voice Behaviors with Implications for Singers, Voice Teachers, and Choral Conductors

This study examined N = 23 post-menopausal singers through a questionnaire that addressed twenty-four aspects of vocal behavior, hormone therapy use/non-use, and typical singing mode, as well as other demographic information. It follows and was prompted by my 2010 doctoral dissertation, which examined N = 307 women’s voices in pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal lifespan stages. The purpose of this study was to investigate perceived singing voice changes during post-menopause in cisgender women singers a decade or more after the menopausal event. Results included behaviors regarding voice function (loss of high range and loss of vocal stamina, difficulty in singing high and softly, and difficulty with onsets), vocal health (concerns included partial paralysis of the folds, reflux, hoarseness, and several respiratory ailments), and concerns/rewards of singing during the post-menopausal hormonal stage of life as discussed by the participants in narrative responses (52 discrete comments). Limitations of the study are stated. Pedagogical considerations include range and practice protocols and choral rehearsal techniques for promoting optimal vocal health for mature cisgender women singers.