Sing From your Seat!

Our unique virtual reality singing project is now live! We’ve teamed up with University of York to develop an innovative way of singing together in unusual or out-of-the-way places, through the power of virtual reality!

In March 2019, a hearty crowd of singers gathered in Whinlatter Forest Park in west Cumbria to sing some Songs of Peace. With Storm Freya approaching, we sang in an outdoor forest shelter before seeking the warmth of the log stove in Barbara and Sara’s education yurt! Dr. Helena Daffern and her team from University of York Electronic Engineering department have turned our singing workshop into a unique online experience, so that you can sing with us without leaving home.

Click the link to find our more, and to sing along with us! And if you have a VR headset, you can have the fully immersive experience of being part of our ‘scratch’ choir.

https://audiolab.york.ac.uk/sing-from-your-seat/

I Sing Because...

An exciting new journey is underfoot!

We’re excited this week because we we’ve finally been able to introduce some of our choirs to our new pilot research project, Making Sense of Group Singing. People’s stories are starting to come in, and we’re already capturing some amazing stories about why people sing.

The research has been developed by Dave (Dr. Camlin with his ‘research’ hat on) with the Cynefin Centre at Bangor University using the Sensemaker software which they created as part of their bigger Making of Meaning project.

Sensemaker is the world's first ‘distributed ethnography’ which is simply a way of capturing people's lived experiences (ethnography), in this instance of group singing. Rather than using traditional methods like interviews and focus groups where the researcher can inadvertently bias the results, it leaves responsibility for how people ‘interpret’ their experiences in their own hands as the story-teller.

Basically, the software invites you to tell a story, and then to interpret the story you've just told. In this way we are able to build up a really rich map of people's experiences. You ‘interpret’ your story by mapping it against a series of triangles with equally weighted positive aspects e.g. your story had a personal benefit, a social one, and / or a community one. One aspect  might be stronger than the other two or they might all be equally important. As the number of stories increases, they start to ‘cluster’ in interesting ways so that more universal meanings start to reveal themselves.

It's taken quite a lot of development and refinement to get the software environment ready, but now that choir members are sharing their stories, it's all been worth it!

We’ve had stories so far of what’s inspired people to join a choir, stories of how singing together has helped people through difficult times, singing as a gift, and some lovely reflections on the joy of being immersed in group singing “like being snuggled in an enormous warm duvet”!

As this pilot project grows, and more people share their stories, it’s going to become a fascinating document of the value of group singing. We’re hoping we can turn it into a full international research project, making connections between the many thousands of people across the globe who enjoy group singing as part of their everyday creativity, to lift their spirits, or connect with others through song.

We’re hoping that after the pilot finishes in September, we can turn it into a much bigger project and collect more stories about group singing from anyone who wants to share them. In the meantime, if you want to follow the research as it develops, be sure to sign up to our mailing list. If you have an iPad, you can also read some of the stories that people have chosen to make public. Download the ‘Sensemaker Explorer’ app and enter the Download Code ‘Sing’ to get access to the ‘live’ data as it evolves!

The bloggers.....

....writing

Phoenix Voice 2017 - the story so far....

We’ve now completed two full-day Phoenix Voices choir rehearsals for this year’s Festival of Thrift (www.festivalofthrift.co.uk), and we've all been having a marvelous time.

Around 40 people are involved so far, including singers who participated in last year’s project as well as first-timers; men and women, novices and experienced singers. Many locations from across Tees Valley are represented including Guisborough, Skinningrove, Redcar, Saltburn, Darlington and Middlesbrough…..

Mouthful are being kept on our toes by these keen, quick learning group members! So far, they’ve gotten to grips with 10 – yes! 10 – varied pieces of music. The songs this year include a Croatian song (Divojka), a lively a cappella arrangement of Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, a 4-part arrangement of The Ash Grove and new songs by members of Mouthful plus a range of rounds. Today we starting exploring ideas for texts which might become short poems or song lyrics. We thought about two kinds of viewpoints, as that is one of this year’s Festival themes. We talked about physical viewpoints, for example the wondrous experience of staring out to sea; and human viewpoints, like the challenge of managing conflicting opinions in a community.

We are enjoying the airy, welcoming rehearsal space in Earthbeat Centre, Saltburn, and the opportunities to share lunch, reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

Open to singers of all ages and abilities, Phoenix Voices first rose up for the Festival of Thrift in 2016. After three all-day rehearsals and four evenings, the 30-strong brand new choir delighted the crowds at Kirkleatham Museum across the Festival weekend, singing on the main stage as well as popping up all over the site to surprise and serenade Festivalgoers.

This year, Mouthful are pleased to have received support from Arts Council England, enabling us to have more rehearsals, accommodate more people, and to work with the brilliant Jane Cuthbert on costume and visual aspects.

Group members have shared many warm and generous reflections on their experiences:

“Feels so great singing with people again. It helps my wellbeing”

“I’ve been looking forward to this all year”

“Since last year, I have been singing the songs in the car with my grandchildren. They love them!”

“It’s really inspiring to do this”

So do come and join us  - by emailing alex@festivalofthrift.co.uk or attending the next rehearsal. Full schedule is: 3 and 10 September 10am – 5pm at Earthbeat Centre, Saltburn, 12, 13, 14, 20, 22, 22 September 7 – 9.30pm at St. Cuthbert's Church, Kirkleatham. Performances will be at Festival of Thrift, Kirkleatham Hall and Museum, 23/24 September at times to be confirmed between 10am and 5pm each day. 

Sing In! West Cumbria

Due to popular demand, Dave from Mouthful is starting a new weekly 'Mouthful Way' singing group at the Kirkgate Centre in Cockermouth on Tuesday evenings 7-9pm from September 12th.

Sing in! will share the same ethos as established sister community choir Sing Owt of having fun making a good sound together, but we'll learn more material at a slightly faster pace, so ideal for those with previous experience of group singing, and willing to commit to weekly rehearsals and personal practice. Drop Dave or Angie a line if you might be interested, and we can tell you more...

Sing Owt is still going strong on Monday evenings in Ullock Village Hall, and ideal if you're just starting out on your singing journey, want to learn at a more relaxed pace and / or are unable to commit to weekly rehearsals.

Opening The Doors

It's our last morning in São Paulo, and as we pack our cases for the long haul flight back to the UK, there's time for a moment of reflection on everything that's happened over the last week. As in any significant exchange with other humans, no-one leaves unchanged by the encounter.

A sincere and heartfelt thank you goes to all of the amazing staff at Guri Santa Marcelina who have helped, supported and inspired us along the way. To Giuliani Frozoni for her ongoing inspiration, passion and humour; to Nara and Hugo for their graceful and empowering leadership of the coral; to Larissa for producing our residency, and ensuring we were well looked after all the time; to Sergio for driving us everywhere and putting up with non-stop experimental vocal music in his taxi everyday without complaint; to Leandro and all the rest of the Guri team for being the most welcoming and committed professionals one could ever hope to work with; to Vos Moscada for their amazing singing; to all of the teachers who came to the workshop, and gave so generously of their time and spirit; and especially to all of the young people in Guri's Coral Juvenil, who have amazed and inspired us with their dedication, profesionalism and sheer joy of singing!

As a taster for what's to come, we've uploaded one of the songs from yesterday's concert at Céu Vila Curuçá, São Paulo. Opening The Doors is one of Katherine's pieces, which gives an insight into the world of the choir warm-up, as well as being a very real demonstration in five minutes of how singing together can turn a group of strangers into a group of friends.

The Mouthful Way is a road we make by walking it, and we're delighted to have been joined on our journey by so many good souls. In one of our dear friend Helen Chadwick's songs that we also perform in the concert, we sing the lines, 'we open doors, close doors, pass through doors.' We have opened many doors this week, and although some doors close, we are confident that there will always be new opportunities to work together in the future.

A Bridge of Songs

It's the morning after the first collaborative performance with Guri Santa Marcelina's Coral Juvenil at Museu de Arte São Paulo (MASP), and we're waking up with that satisfied feeling of having created something wonderful together. The young people in the Coral have been absolutely amazing, and their commitment, passion and sheer joy for singing shone through in yesterday's performance. We'll post videos from the concert as we edit them, and we're certain there will be some really magical memories for all of us. Now we have to do the same thing all over again at the Centro Educacional Unificado (CEU) in Vila Curuçá today! We can't wait!

Beyond the actual performances, we're increasingly aware of how much sheer will has gone into building this opportunity for the singers in the Coral. All of Giuliana Frozoni's team of inspirational musicians, producers, managers and social pedagogues hold the aspirations of their young people firmly in their hearts with secure attachments of love. It's the most beautiful learning environment to work in; they build a safe space for these wonderful singers to nurture and grow their creativity and their humanity.

It's also striking how much absolute dedication and professional attitude there is from the young people themselves. They've devoured everything we've offered them, been wiling to go with some of our more experimental ideas without question, tirelessly listened to advice and acted upon it. Their dedication and commitment is a key part of the fabric that has built such a strong structure this week.

For the encore yesterday, Sharon led the Coral in a reprise of her wonderful composition, Bridge of Songs. There have been many bridges built this week: a platform for the young people in the coral to spread their wings and soar; a strengthening of the bonds between them as a group; an international bridge connecting art and artists with a common purpose to use music as a social 'good'; new connections, ideas and possibilities; new friendships and partnerships; stronger connections for all of us who share a passion for the power of music to transform lives.

We're so proud to have been part of this majestic Bridge of Songs, and so grateful to everyone involved for the amazing opportunity. We hope that the bridge will lead us all into new territories and new adventures!

But first, there's a final concert to perform!

Day 6 Mouthful in Brazil

It has been a day of music, movement and mash ups...

Working with the Coral Juvenil, we have been exploring ideas for movement within some of the songs that we will be performing together. The young people, as always, were very willing to try things out and we were not short of ideas! It really created a wonderful effect and enhanced our understanding of the lyrics. As we approach our first public performance on Saturday, we know that this amazing choir will rise to the challenge.

The evening was filled with mash-ups from our brilliant cohort of teachers, students, choir members and other singers. Having taught them some traditional songs from our home in the last session, Dave invited them to find a 'match' for the songs which they had brought with them through a 'speed dating' exercise. It was amusing to watch the process as everyone strove to find a perfect partner for their beloved song. Some people had very high standards! When everyone finally found themselves a group, they were tasked to create their own musical mash-ups. The results brought some real deep reflections about remembering songs from our past and how they can connect us to each other, no matter which continent you are on, or from.

Day 5 Mouthful in Brazil

It's amazing how songs have the power to transcend time and space - there have been a few moments this week when we've been struck by how the simple act of singing together can make and sustain profound connections between people, and how songs' meanings' can change, grow and evolve over time with the people who sing them.

We've been truly blessed to have had the immense pleasure of working with Helen Chadwick and the rest of Human Music over the years, and it never ceases to amaze us how Helen's compositions can touch people's hearts. Last night, we taught a group of Brazilian teachers her arrangement of 'If we shadows have offended' (from A Midsummer Night's Dream) and it was as intensely moving as when we first sang it in the new RSC theatre building in Stratford quite a few years ago now. People in the workshop said they felt the experience was transcendental, you can see what they mean here.

Today we were teaching the Guri Santa Marcelina youth choir Helen's song 'Here' which Helen wrote for Dalston Songs, the show that Dave was in with her in 2008 and 2010. The words of Helen's Dalston neighbours, which she so eloquently immortalised in song, rang just as powerfully with this group of teenagers in urban Brazil as they did for the Royal Opera House audiences who first heard it: "Home is a feeling, it's not a place - for me. They ask me, 'where do you come from? Where is home?' I say, 'I come from here.'"

Singing together has the power to turn every 'here' into a 'home', and we pay tribute to the great composers like Helen, who can capture the power and potential of what music can do, and distill it into an essence which feeds the soul. Thank you Helen! x

Day 4 Mouthful in Brazil

Our Brazil adventure is a gift that keeps on giving, and today has been as profound and inspiring a day as yesterday! We traveled across São Paulo to Osasco, where we spent the morning with some of the children and young people who attend Guri's music programmes, along with their parents and teachers. It was a really special morning, and a beautiful privilege to be welcomed into the musical heart of this friendly community of music. One of the songs we taught them was Katherine's 'Home 3', long a staple of our live set, which speaks of the refuge we can find in each other's care. In a beautiful moment of serendipity, outside there was a mural of Guerreiro Zumbi, the escaped slave who built a community for escaped slaves, so it seemed like an obvious choice to record the song we'd just made in front of it! The video is here, and has some amazingly joyous moments in it!

We worked with Guri's youth choir again in the afternoon, and they really are amazing - they devour everything we bring to them, and always give absolute commitment, and make a fantastic sound! We worked with them to animate some of the pieces for Saturday, and their creativity, commitment and community spirit are outstanding!

This evening, we had the pleasure to work with some of Guri's tutors and teachers, and they made some truly remarkable musical moments. Katherine led them through some creative exercises which brought out a very wide range of unusual - and at times hilarious! - ways of using the human voice, while Dave taught them Bethany Elen Coyle's Geordie Song Sandwich (with added bassline), and set out an invitation to them to bring their own snippets of 'home's songs to mash up in Thursday evening's workshop.

A real highlight of the trip so far was the exquisitely moving version of Helen Chadwick's arrangement of Shakespeare's 'If We Shadows Have Offended...' which Katherine and Bex led at the close of the evening workshop. Taking over the foyer at EMESP, the singers span beautiful sounds around the space, circling and enveloping each other in rich harmonies which people found profoundly moving. A video will surely follow...

We talk about 'The Mouthful Way' as a journey, not a destination, because we're always learning more about ourselves and what it means to sing our way through the world together. We make the road by walking, and days like today really highlight what a privilege and a joy it is to do what we do.

Day 3 Mouthful in Brazil

It's very hard to know where to start to begin to explain what an inspiring day we've had! We traveled in to meet our friends at Guri Santa Marcelina, and Giuliana Frozoni's overview of the work that Guri does is astonishing. Social pedagogy is the beating heart of the organisation, and it's clear that in the hands of people like Giuliana and her colleagues, music is a powerful means of transforming people's lives, right across the vast population of São Paulo.

After lunch, we worked with Guri's youth choir and were completely blown away by their commitment, musicality and enthusiasm. Within minutes of meeting them, we had the strongest sense of what a fabulous concert it's going to be on Saturday. They are literally amazing! Nara and Jugo, the choir's leaders, have worked on the repertoire we'd sent themin advance in lots of detail already, and they are already transforming it. It was a complete joy for Dave to have the choir sing their arrangement of his song Stone Acoustic back to him - the original is a meditative piece, and the choir have transformed it into a wonderful groove-based number with Portuguese lyrics and body percussion! We're going to mash the two together. The choir are devouring the repertoire at such a rate - and at such high quality - that we're already getting excited about what the weekend concerts are going to be like.

To top off the day, we spent the evening with Giuliana's wonderful adult choir at her house, being inspired by their carefully-crafted harmonies, Brazilian rhythms, and the sheer joy of their singing. A real privilege for us to be able to be a part of such an inspiring group of singers, and they made the most fantastic version of Sharon's Chinese Proverb with us. Watch out for a video a of it...

Somehow, we managed to find the time between all of that to record another singing postcard, this time of the Bonnie 'Price' Billy sing that Katherine brought to the group. Still making use of the lovely acoustic in the swimming pool, this one was recorded outside the sauna...

Tomorrow we're off to Osasco for a concert and workshop with young people in one of Guri's 'polos', the many music centres they run all over the municipality. We're bracing ourselves for more inspiration, especially as we get to work with the youth choir again in the afternoon, and then we're running a workshop for Guri's teachers in the evening. Never a dull moment! And each one of those moments a treasure.

Day 2 of Mouthful's Brazilian Adventure

The 22-hour journey from the NE of the UK to São Paulo in Brazil left us all a bit exhausted, so today has been a day of sleeping, chilling and gentle singing. We have two concerts at the end of the week, and we're working with various groups over the week to prepare for it. Tomorrow we're looking forward to meeting the Guri Santa Marcelina youth choir, and we'll be working with them all week. The hotel we're staying in has a pool and a sauna, which are both great spaces to sing in! We captured a little bit of this evening's rehearsal by the pool - Sharon's arrangement of a Chinese Proverb (When There is Light).

Day 1 Mouthful in Brazil: Here / Home

So Mouthful are on the road, or more precisely in the air, with a week's concert / workshop residency in Sao Paulo, Brazil. We've decided to record whenever we can, so here's one of our favourite Helen Chadwick songs, recorded at Schiphol airport whilst waiting for the Sao Paulo flight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsyxv0AaRp8&feature=em-upload_owner#action=share