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I think I may have mentioned it here before, but I work in the music industry in creative health. I am surrounded by music all day in many forms.
So I thought I would dedicate October to my musical highlights.
Voicebox
I recently had the pleasure of attending the first sharing of the Voicebox project. VOICEBOX is a brand-new initiative offering a bespoke curriculum for advanced singers specialising (or wanting to specialise) in contemporary vocal performance. The programme has been designed and is led by Juliet Fraser. It is delivered over the course of a year, broken into four intensive residency periods that are hosted by partner organisations around the UK. VOICEBOX provides a unique space for creative development, risk-taking, community-building and professional networking. The cohort of singers included : Patricia Auchterlonie, Hester Dart, Tara Lily Klein, Oskar McCarthy, Sarah Parkin, Pascal Zurek .
The first sharing was wild and wonderful, eclectic and electric! I can’t wait to see how this develops.
The group started with a beautiful sound meditation inspired by Pauline Oliveros Deep Listening. Pauline's practice of Deep Listening is rooted in her fundamental desire to show the way toward a world based upon a dynamic peace and compassion.
Another of the pieces shared was Meredith Monk’s Gotham Lullaby
The artists involved in this amazing project are: Patricia Auchterlonie, Hester Dart, Tara Lily Klein, Oskar McCarthy, Sarah Parkin, and Pascal Zurek
You can catch more here:
PART I: 25 September – 1 October 2023, hosted by Britten Pears Arts (Suffolk)
PART II: 10 – 12 January 2024, hosted by City, University of London (London)
PART III: 2 – 6 April 2024, hosted by Sound Festival (Aberdeen)
PART IV: 10 – 17 August 2024, hosted by Dartington Music Summer School (Devon)
Sofa Singers
I love a good sing. Sometimes I’m free on a Friday and I join in with the online and marvellous Sofa Singers!
The Sofa Singers is an inclusive and supportive worldwide community, sparking joy and connection through singing together online.
Led by James Sills you can join from the comfort and convenience of your own home and connect with hundreds of people from around the world, learn to sing with confidence a different song each week including harmonies, experience the sheer joy and wellbeing brought about through singing and share songs, poems and more in the open mic session. Started through Covid and now flourishing beyond it’s the best fun - and no one can hear you!
Do go and check them out.
English Touring Opera
This month I took a friend to see the English Touring Opera perform Rossini’s Cinderella. On the surface a joyous retelling of the Cinderella story, complete with a murderously wicked stepfather and astonishingly virtuosic vocal parts for Cinderella and Ramiro (the Prince),but the triumph of goodness and kindness in Rossini's opera masks a more biting commentary on status and desire.
Now, I confess I am quite new to opera, so it’s a musical form my ear is still adapting to. But I’ve been to a few modern and traditional operas now and am amazed always at the storytelling, the set design, the spectacle and not least the majestic voices. I think opera is a bit like approaching art for the first time. It comes with a lot of baggage and assumptions, but if you just go and see it, absorb it, form your own opinion and leave or the other stuff at the door it’s a wonderful experience.
One of the musicians I have on repeat at home and in the car is Matthew Halsall. A jazz trumpeter, music producer and record label owner of Gondwana records. Check out his latest album.
He’s just started a new podcast talking about his work and influences and introducing the artists on his label.
Turn it up! The power of music
The Science Museum London has a new exhibition called Turn it Up: the power of music. I can’t wait to take part in this fun, family-friendly experience, explore the science and secrets around the impact music and get stuck into some unique interactive exhibits.
Highlights include:
A newly commissioned musical playground, where you can play with beat, melody and harmonies.
Take a musical Turing test to find out if you can tell the difference between songs written by humans and machines.
Meet a musical robot that can play and improvise alongside human musicians.
See the groundbreaking MiMU Gloves, created by Imogen Heap and used by artists like Ariana Grande to make gestures that control music-making software live on stage.
Discover weird and wonderful instruments like the Pyrophone, an organ powered by flames!
Turn It Up promises an unforgettable, hands-on experience where you can feel, remember and reflect on what music means to each of us.
Lastly, I know I said this was a musical issue but if you are looking for a new way to get your news snippets including positive pieces you can try The Know and you can choose a daily or weekly update. It’s well put together insightful and entertaining.
About me: I am a Western Buddhist in the Triratna tradition and have been practising since 1986. I have a love and admiration for the simplicity and beauty of Japanese culture and aesthetics which appeals to my zen minded being. I am also a mindfulness and movement teacher, writer, and creative health professional . Life, with all its beautiful imperfections and wonderful messiness, is my practice.
I’d love to try Sofa Singers! How fun! Thanks for sharing 🫶
phoene@themusicalbreath.com - also musical & working in creative health - do get in touch off if useful