At the start of each session, Matthews takes the choir through a series of warm-ups.
"Just giving the vocal cords a jolly good work-out, so that when we start the singing process with that high intensity, they are already warmed up and ready to go."
Former High School Teacher Dave Sales found out 11 years ago that he had early-onset Parkinson's.
"I just didn't want to know. I didn't want to go for treatment, I didn't want to go to any groups, join any choir, do any exercise. Leave me alone, thank you very much, that was my initial response."
But Sales said since joining the group, he's gained a newfound sense of camaraderie with his choirmates.
"Some people think they aren't singers, so there is no point coming," Sales said. "In actual fact, they can certainly contribute and become a part of the whole. You can hear how good the sound is that the choir produces, from a mixed bunch of people."
Rob Meharry also has Parkinson's. He says he owes his voice to the Brainwave Singers.
"One of the first things to go was my voice. I used to sing a lot, I was blessed with a reasonably good voice, and it just disappeared on me. I couldn't sing a note," he said.
"Coming here to Brainwave Singers, with the exercise and the singing, I have been able to regain my singing voice - not as it used to be, but at least it's working."
The group meets each week, with the benefits felt by both choir members and choir master.
"I come away usually feeling very elated, a lovely uplift in my life every Wednesday. It really is just the highlight of the week."
Matthews is so convinced of the healing power of music, he's now conducting research into the benefits of singing for stroke and Parkinson's sufferers.
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