Old Songs for New Voices - A Community Workshop for Women

OLD SONGS FOR NEW VOICES - a community workshop for women

Example of the company: https://youtu.be/gs04L2Pp6KI and https://youtu.be/B8fcAHSrNPA

This three-hour taster workshop with vocalist and musician Anna-Helena McLean (Moon Fool and Guildhall School) opens a safe space to sing together through stories of displacement, journey and transition. Anna-Helena joins Maketank in offering this special workshop to networks within Exeter who are part of the refugee community and their closely associated circles. The voice and singing workshop is for singers and non singers alike. It will explore playful exercises in rhythm, body percussion and harmony building to imagine ancient songs and stories in completely new ways. The workshop draws on polyphonic and choral singing techniques that Anna-Helena has developed from her experience working in Eastern Europe. Vocal freedom, resonance and harmony building will lead to the creation of sound worlds in which ancient texts that centre women and female power from the earliest stories known to humanity will be sounded out. This is a playful and gentle session where women’s voices will be celebrated and supported through themes of community and female agency.

Up to 25 participants will be assisted in stretching and flexing their unique vocal sound, feeling into a way of sounding that feels a bit different but also really good. By amplifying the vocal worlds we each animate in our own special way every day, this taster session aims to give you more control of what you do with the sounds you already make, while inspiring you to get ever more playful if not stretch them in new directions.

Anna uses rhythmic breath, live and electronic voices and supporting instruments (cello, Indian harmonium) to build soundscapes and atmospheres that make room for the imagination and body to feel free. The focus of the session will be building the relationship between our bodies and the sounds it makes, with others while also bringing a story to life. Participants comfort is a main priority at all times and therefore close contact with other participants is completely optional with no pressure to do anything “right” but rather to be present with exactly what you have right now. An expertly facilitated set up will lead into smaller group practice sessions and build up to a journey through potentially 3 new sound worlds that bring an ancient story alive to us today.

What participants can expect from the session:

• a safe space for vocal play and song learning
• physical sound making exercises
• call and response games
• building soundscapes led by musical instruments
• drawing pictures with sound
• pitch play and finding resonance
• feeling ever more in control
• accessing an unusual degree of flexibility

The workshop will end with a potluck lunch to share experiences with the possibility for more singing (1:30-2:30pm). No commitment to stay but you are warmly invited to and encouraged to bring your own lunch.