Applications for the Summer 2025 Training are open.

If you are interested, please fill in the Pre-Course Questionnaire (Word doc, 41KB) and return it to us.

The training will run on Wednesdays starting on June 4th 2025 (please note this training will replace the previously advertised Spring training)

See below for a full set of dates.

Introduction

This course is for those wanting to deliver singing for lung health sessions.

It is suitable for:

  • Music therapists
  • Singing teachers
  • Community choir leaders
  • Musically-confident allied health professionals who have led singing activity
    (e.g. occupational therapists, physiotherapists, respiratory nurse specialists, practice nurses).

It runs over 8 weeks online via Zoom

Each session is 2.5 hours – running between 10:00 and 12.30 BST.

The Team delivering this course includes an experienced music therapist, a vocal coach, respiratory physios and movement specialists. See our Team Page for more information.

Costs and course details are shown below.

If you are interested in taking the Course please fill in the Pre-Course Questionnaire (Word doc, 41KB) and return it to us 

Core skills and competencies

Those undertaking the course need to have a basic set of core skills and competencies before they start the training

This course is aimed at those who want to deliver singing for lung health and who have relevant experience.

The core skills and competencies are:

  • Confidence in leading singing
  • A core repertoire that can be taught by ear.
  • Able to deliver some simple physical and vocal warm up exercises.
  • Basic knowledge and understanding of vocal anatomy and physiology.
  • A personal practice that incorporates exercise, relaxation, movement or meditation.

If you have any questions about these, please email Phoene Cave.

Costs

Organisations / Funded

£ 549

per person

IndividualsMost Popular

£ 499

per person

Concessions

£ 449

per personLimited number available.

What’s included

  1. 30 hours of content – 18 hours face-to-face training via Zoom over 8 weeks plus 8-12 hours home study.
  2. Comprehensive handouts.
  3. Invitation to a closed Facebook Group with over 200 other trained singing for lung health leaders.
  4. Invitation to Asthma Lung UK Singing for Lung Health network.
  5. Access to extensive resources of research, repertoire, and other documents via Dropbox.

Deposit

Please note there is a £49 deposit to pay to secure a place on the training.

“Phoene and colleagues, what you have delivered... is phenomenal. Utterly unbelievable. Thank you, this has really been life changing for me”

Recent course feedback

“It is hard actually to put in words how transformative this experience has been as a health care provider.”

Recent course feedback

“Liked the balance of practical and theoretical, also the opportunity to reflect and engage between sessions”

Recent course feedback

“I am so grateful to you and all at the Musical Breath for the amazing work that you do. I have been a respiratory nurse for 16 years. I have literally been 'blown away' by the power of singing for lung health."

Recent course feedback

“Packed with in-depth content; friendly accessible trainers! Delivery enthusiastic, motivating, generous..."

Recent course feedback

Training dates

The 2025 course will run on Wednesdays – starting on June 4 with the final session on July 23.

Each session with start at 10:00 BST and end at 12.30.

The details are shown below.

For more on the modules see Course Content.

June 4th
Module 1
Introduction to Singing for Lung Health
Phoene Cave

June 11th
Module 2
The Still and Moving Body
Phoene with Maria da Luz

June 18th
Module 3
Lung Health and Lung Disease
Phoene with Helen Owen

June 25th
Module 4
Breathing Patterns
Phoene with Charlotte Wells

July 2nd
Module 5
The Singing Voice
Liz Swain

July 9th
Module 6
Delivery and Content, Part 1
Phoene with Liz Swain

July 16th
Module 7
Delivery and Content, Part 2
Phoene with Liz Swain

July 23rd
Module 8
Q&A
Phoene and Singing for Lung Health participants

Course content

Below are details for each of the modules.

Module 1: Introduction to Singing for Lung Health

Aim

To give an overview to the context, background, research as well as content and delivery of singing as a tool for people with chronic lung conditions. Welcome to one another and the course modules. What do we bring and what we want to take away?

Outcomes

You will have a clear idea of where and when Singing for Lung Health began, its aims, objectives and outputs along with where it fits into the wider Arts in Health picture, including research and future plans.

Module 2: The Still and Moving Body

“It is fruitless to try to change a breathing pattern until choices become available to a person in the way they stand and move” (Blackaby, P. 2018. Intelligent Yoga. Casita)

Aim

To provide an overview of somatic practice and the relationship between body and breath.

Outcomes

You will gain a greater self-awareness of your movement patterns and how they might impact on breathing patterns. You will understand importance of physical activity and expressive gesture. You will have a choice of activity to support both functional and creative movement. You will learn some creative physical warm-up’s to bring awareness to and promote better breathing.

Module 3: Lung Health and Lung Disease

Aim

To provide information on respiration and breathing mechanics and how these can be impacted by the pathology of a lung disease. To introduce how singing for lung health might support symptoms and management of breathlessness.

Outcomes

You will gain knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, plus pathology and symptom picture of different chronic lung conditions.   An experiential session of Singing for Lung Health will provide and understanding of how singing can support people with different respiratory conditions.

Module 4: Breathing Patterns

“There is not one correct way to breathe, but there are common ways in which people restrict their breathing” (Farhi, D.1996. The Breathing Book. Holt)

Aim

To provide an overview of the inseparable relationship between body, breath, movement, voice and mind.

Outcomes

You will gain knowledge about whole body breathing, mapping and experiencing your own unique breathing pattern. You will gain knowledge and understanding of dysfunctional breathing patterns including hyperventilation and their relationship to physiology, psychology and pathology.

Module 5: The Singing Voice

Aim

To provide an overview of how the voice works and optimum singing and breathing techniques to support someone with a chronic lung condition.

Outcomes

You will have a basic knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology of the vocal mechanism and a practical understanding of the most efficient breathing for singing. You will learn about some of the vocal issues affecting people with lung conditions plus a toolkit to work with ageing voices, people who have been intubated and/or struggle with dysphonia (voice hoarseness).

Module 6 & 7: Singing for Lung Health Delivery and Content (2 sessions)

Aim

To workshop in small groups the delivery and content of the Singing for Lung Health programme.

Outcomes

How to work creatively and appropriately through music with physical, vocal and breathing warm-ups, sung repertoire and guided relaxation to support those with chronic lung conditions to manage breathlessness.
NB: This module will run over TWO sessions. Participants will be expected to participate practically and to co-lead sessions in break out rooms trying out different musical content.

Module 8: Q&A

The closing session offers opportunities to:

  • Hear from people with chronic lung conditions about their experiences of attending singing for lung health groups.
  • Have an extended group discussion around any key topics.
  • Generally clarify any issues and ask questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Long Covid

This is NOT a specific training course for working with people with Long Covid.

However, we will discuss how the work might be adapted for those with Long Covid – something that we are learning about all the time and requires a considered approach.

Covid is a virus which can impact multiple body systems including respiratory, cardiac, renal, endocrine and neurological. Appropriate rehabilitation for people with Long Covid is being researched including using singing.

For the latest developments around Covid and singing, see our News and Resources.

2. Your experience

This course is aimed at those who want to deliver singing for lung health and who have relevant experience.

To benefit from the course, you already need to have a basic set of skills around leading singing.

The core skills and competencies are:

  • Confidence in leading singing and musical facilitation for groups.
  • A core repertoire that can be taught by ear.
  • Able to deliver some simple physical, breathing and vocal warm up exercises.
  • Basic knowledge and understanding of vocal and respiratory anatomy and physiology.
  • A personal practice that incorporates exercise, relaxation, movement or meditation.

If you have any questions about these, please email Phoene Cave.

Cancellation and refund policy

Numbers will be capped at 24 people per course and a minimum of 14 are required to run course.

  • In the unlikely event that a minimum of 14 participants are not booked in for each course, it may be that you are requested to move to another block, or payment will be fully refunded.
  • Space is strictly limited to an absolute maximum of 25 participants per course on a first come first serve basis.
  • There are no plans to record sessions.
  • If for any reason you cancel, refunds will be made depending on the amount of notice given:
    • 30+ days notice of cancellation = 80% refund.
    • 14- 29 days notice of cancellation = 50% refund
    • 0-14 days notice of cancellation = no refund.