A flame that does not consume: Your voice is you and yet, you are not your voice.
Singing is arguably one of the most vulnerable ways to be witnessed by others in part because there are no barriers between us and the sounds coming from us.
We often attach so much meaning and importance to each sound we make that the stakes become very high - either not allowing us to fully commit to the action of singing or stopping us altogether. What if we start to think of every sound we make as part of the flexibility required for the sounds we deeply wish to create?
This 24-hour retreat seeks to start chipping away at the barriers we put between ourselves and the act of singing, as well as bringing in new considerations and techniques to try.
What you will find here:
Encouragement, exercises, information, and cueing to begin noticing what is currently happening in your voice and body and then using that as a jumping-off point to start exploring new sounds.
A (hopefully) delightful balance of both the practical and esoteric with the aim of gaining deeper insights into the process of singing and our part in it.
Who this is for:
Anyone with a voice.
Anyone looking to deepen their understanding of their voice.
Those who feel supported by a pocket of intentional time that is structured gently to allow new qualities to show up.
Someone who feels encouraged by working alongside others with a similar focus.
Preparation:
Select a song you love to sing and then your favorite section of that song (verse, chorus, phrase, recitative, etc). This will become our vehicle for noticing changes (can be self-accompanied but preferably a cappella). We will share our selections at the end of the retreat.
What you will need:
a space you feel comfortable making (sometimes odd) sounds in
a candle of some kind (preferably wax but LED is fine)
clothing that is comfortable to move in
a small towel or two books (about an inch thick each)
a yoga mat or comfortable rug to lay on
a journal and something to write with
a seat that is supportive of your body (if laying on the floor doesn’t work for you, this chair will work just fine)
Day 1: Friday, January 10th (all times Eastern)
17:30 Introductory meeting via Zoom, 1 – (1.5 hours) What happens when we sing?
21:00 Session (1-1.25 hours) Finding balance in our instrument through The Five Relations (a method by Sandra Bain Cushman) and The Alexander Technique. The following morning warm up given.
Day 2: Saturday, January 11th (all times Eastern)
09:00 Guided Morning Sitting (.75 – 1 hour), includes 10 minutes of ‘sounding.’
13:30 Session (1 – 1.5 hours) Vocal Registration: qualities of sound and how the voice is organized
16:30 Session (1-1.25 hours) Breathing in the expression we wish to sing with. Song selection sharing, final questions, and closing our circle.
In between sessions: We will turn part of our attention to the different vocal qualities that emerge in life. How does your voice change when you talk to your partner, your roommate, your child, or your pet? What is your voice like when you first wake up? After you eat or drink something? When you are in motion? When something is important? When the listener is close to you? When you are looking at them? When they are far away? When you create sound and there is no ‘listener’ except you?
Write down or record a voice memo of a noticing from as many different stimuli and contexts for making sound as possible as a report (in present tense). Those wishing to can share these in an email thread after the retreat.
Participants commit to:
Attend five Zoom meetings over 24 hours
Participate in mind-body exercises as able
Keep silence as you are able between Zoom meetings.
Strong suggestions:
Complete abstention from email, news, and social media.
To apply: email apply[at]creatingmusictogether[dot]org, tell us who you are and why you wish to join.
Where means allow, donations gladly accepted (no obligation) here.