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From ancient times, singing together in harmony has been a powerful source of energy, expression, connection, joy, comfort and communication. It's all about:
Anyone Can Sing!
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The
Teaching
All sessions begin with physical warm up. A name game/ice breaker may be included at this stage. This is followed by breathing exercises and a vocal warm up. This leads on to rhythm exercises using hands, feet and voice. All exercises are taught with the aim of creating connection between the body and the voice. The warm up is followed by the teaching of simple rounds or part songs by ear to begin to get the group used to singing together in harmony. At this stage it is important that the music is easily do-able to begin to build confidence. Being able to create a harmonious sound so quickly also encourages people. As a session progresses more challenging music is introduced. Word sheets, written music are used if appropriate. Ideas for simple improvisation may also be introduced. All teaching takes place in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere of acceptance. People are encouraged to listen to each other as well as to sing. The aim is for people to feel safe enough to take risks at their own pace. Sensitivity to different levels of experience and ability is on-going. The songs have several parts and can offer challenges to people at varying levels. Space is given for people wishing to sing in a small group or on their own.
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The Music Old Songs From mountains, valleys, forests, deserts and across seas, songs have come to our shores carrying the expressions of our ancestors' voices. Songs of celebration, songs to mark the passages of life: birth, adulthood, marriage, death, work songs, protest songs, songs to heal, songs to express suffering, love, beauty, humour, songs of nature and songs of prayer and worship of the divine. Songs which have passed from one person to another, changing their rhythm, their melody, their meaning. Amongst the songs we sing are: songs with dance rhythms from Romania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, both tribal and religious songs from Africa with their full, open harmonies, songs full of resonance from Georgia, lyrical, haunting songs from Scotland/Ireland, humorous English rounds and catches from 1600s, unmistakeable plaintive sounds of Jewish music and we sing... New Songs There are many exciting and talented composers who are writing and arranging for community choirs in the UK. To name a few: the Scottish composer - Ali Burns whose extraordinary and evocative lyrics and harmonies transport the singer to other times and places- the composer and teacher Nickomo Clarke whose rich layers harmonies are very powerful and moving to sing. Helen Chadwick, a London based composer whose beautiful texts and arrangements are a vocal feast. Nick Prater, inspired by a wealth of spiritual traditions, writes part songs which are wonderfully heart opening. Shropshire -based Polly Bolton is another favourite with her jazz/blues-influenced compositions.
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Katherine
Lucas
Katherine has been teaching singing to groups of adults and children, in schools, in community settings, in businesses, at conferences predominantly in and around Oxfordshire, for the last 8 years. Meaningful experiences and genetic quirks that have lead Katherine to teach singing include - a very musical mother, an exceptional choir master, a love of harmony, a delight in composing, arranging and trying to understand foreign languages, an urge to make things happen, the excitement of bringing voices and songs to life and unexplained feelings of elation on finding unusual music. She has been/is involved in organising community events as co-ordinator of Charlbury Arts in the Community, in the Georgian Harmony Association and Charlbury WorldSong. She is a member of the Natural Voice Practitioners' Network and she runs Charlbury's Community Choir: 'Voices Unlimited'. Katherine also performs as part of the female trio Kismet who sing/play a range of world music and their own compositions on accordion, mandola, clarinet, fiddle, whistles and percussion. She is available to lead one off workshops or to teach regular groups of adults/children, to start a choir in your workplace or community, to write music and to teach music theory. Please email: kath@songspace.co.uk or tel: 01608 811293.
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