Sat 28 Feb 2015 10am to 4pm
Cooper Hall, Frome
This was a special singing workshop led by Rachel Acworth, voice development tutor, and Jane Harris, Director of Songways in an exceptional purpose-built music venue, Cooper Hall, in the grounds of a private home near Frome.
Singers from as far afield as Derby, Devon and Worcestershire and several choir leaders joined us for the day. Rachel introduced voice exercises to help with each aspect of singing, which we put into practice in songs led by Jane. Rachel is a classically trained professional singer who works with singers of all levels using Alexander Technique, Brain Gym and Werbeck singing exercises to enable each singer to uncover their natural voice with ease and confidence. We learned to develop the range & resonance of our voices, all the time increasing confidence, developing the breathing and releasing tension.
“I hugely enjoyed the day and learned so much”
“Superb… Rachel and Jane were a great team”
“A stunning venue and we were looked after beautifully”
“Wonderful therapy”
Jane explains Rachel’s connection with Songways: “I met Rachel when we were both attending a Northern Harmony residential weekend in November 2011. I was struck by the clarity of her voice and the ease with which she sang. Inspired by one-to-one lessons with Rachel, I have been delighted to work with her several times leading singing workshops and weekends. If you ever find that your voice is hoarse or tired after singing, if you wish your voice was richer or had a wider range, if you would like to feel more confident or even if you feel you really cannot sing, then these workshops are for you.
Rachel also has much to offer Choir Leaders who teach by ear, enabling you to develop volume and clarity through a wide range without tiring your voice. Using Rachel’s exercises with a choir over time in turn helps singers to free up their natural voices.”
Rachel received her MMus from The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1997. Since then she has performed as a soloist in many of this country’s most admired concert venues, including St John’s, Smith Square, St James’ Piccadilly, Worcester Cathedral and Exeter Cathedral. She has sung with The English Concert under Trevor Pinnock and Andrew Manze, including Prom concerts at The Albert Hall. Her solo oratorio repertoire includes the Bach Passions and Christmas Oratorio, Handel’s Dixit Dominus, The Messiah and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. She also adores singing French songs, Lieder and British folksongs.
Rachel has taught privately and in many schools over the past 15 years. She runs regular Uncover Your Voice sessions in East Sussex and works with advanced/professional singers and those who consider themselves “tone-deaf” to enable each singer to uncover their real voice with ease and confidence.