A fabulous group of 60 singers gathered for the September Singing Day at the stunning Great Oak Hall at Westonbirt Arboretum led by Jane Harris, Director of Songways. Singers local to the area were joined by others from Gloucester, Cheltenham, Oxford, Taunton, Ilfracombe, Newport, Bristol, Bath, Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon. It was great to meet many new singers who were singing with Songways for the first time.
Jane began by leading some physical and vocal warm-up exercises to settle us into the space and start to open our voices. We then enjoyed: a beautiful early autumn round written by Jane, Mist in the morning; a lively and rhythmic American song, Power of Kindness by The Californian duo, MaMuse; an evocative chant, Simple praise of trees and a thrilling South African song Vela Vela. In the afternoon Jane led her setting of the poem I will go with my father a-ploughing, introducing the lilting melody on the fiddle. We also enjoyed a wonderful jazz-inspired group improvisation and ended with a glorious closing chant, with singers savouring the chance to listen in the centre of the group.
Comments from some of the singers:
A fabulous day
A wonderful workshop
Lovely place… lovely songs
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