Clear, strong voices rang out in the Greerton Citizen's Hall on Wednesday as 70 members of Brainwave Singers choirs from Tauranga, Katikati and Hamilton performed together.
But that wasn't always the case.
Most voices were barely above a whisper when Bay of Plenty District Health Board speech and language therapist Robin Matthews started his first choir in Tauranga just over six years ago.
Anyone whose voice - singing or speaking - had been lost or damaged through Parkinson's Disease, a stroke or a brain injury was welcomed.
Singing acts like physiotherapy for the voice, Mr Matthews said.
For people who had lost the ability to speak through a stroke, it could help retrain the part of the brain responsible for singing to take over the speech functions.
For people with Parkinson's, co-ordinating the actions required to sing helped produce a clearer, louder voice.
"To sing, you have to remember the tune and words, then fill your lungs with air, produce a voice and then co-ordinate your voice and breathing whilst singing the melody," Mr Matthews said.
Rob Meharry of Bethlehem joined the choir four years ago, and said it had bought him great happiness.
"I used to sing a lot, before I was diagnosed with Parkinson's. It is a joy to be able to do that again," he said.
"With Parkinson's, exercise is very important. The voice, it's a muscle, and it needs exercise.
"Robin develops singing exercises and puts us through our paces. We cover a wide range of notes and go through the whole gambit of songs.
"It's like therapy, but fun, and with results. It's remarkable, the difference, and in a very short time."
Mr Meharry said he would like to see more people who are suffering take advantage of the choir.
Mr Matthews said new members are always welcome. The Tauranga choir has about 60, while the new Katikati choir has around eight.
He has been gathering data from the choir members for his PhD research on choral singing therapy for Parkinson's.
He expected to have results by the end of the month.