Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby

Subject: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 07:44 AM

There is a workshop on this Saturday (12th Nov) 10am-4pm at The Voicebox, Derby (DE1 1JQ) for people over 18 who would like to sing but who believe they cannot, or should not. Cost £20. Run by Vivien Ellis.

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: Paul Burke
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 09:03 AM

Hate to sound cynical, but isn't it a bit like saying "give me £20 and I'll tell you you've got a nice voice really"?

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 09:14 AM

You do sound cynical.

Guest, who's Vivien Ellis? Perhaps there is hope. Tell us more.

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: GUEST,Annie Noble
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 11:33 AM

Hi!

I am the organiser of the Singing workshop run by Vivien Ellis.

Vivien has an international reputation as a performer of mediaeval, renaiisance and traditional music. She performs with The Dufay Collective, Sinfonye, and in her own duo, Alva. (Bells of Paradise; Love burns in me:)She has also performed with Keith Tippet's band, Tapestry and Stevie Wishart's contemporary group, Transients.

I first met her about fifteen years ago, as a complete non-singer becaus of an evil primary school teacher! Vivien's premise is that everybody can sing and it is the Western choral tradition which has contributed to peoples' beliefs that they cannot. Her approach to singing is that it is part of being human and it used to be a part of the working life and social life of communities. So the workshop is definitively not about paying £20 and being told you have a nice voice! It is about undoing one's belief systems around singing and learning to enjoy it, in ways that aren't about standing up and singing in perfect tune in a choir or whatever.   

The workshop is happening on Saturday, November 12th at The VoiceBox in derby and there are still places availaable. it is an absolute bargain at £20 for the day and it will be good fun as well as illuminating. Starts at 10 am but come around 9.30 to get drinks and chats and paying out of the way. And bring your own lunch, drinks available.

If you are interested you can contact me on 01335 324530 or [e-mail]

Cheers, Annie

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: GUEST,Annie Noble
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 11:45 AM

Hi Paul,

I am the organiser of the Can't Sing, Won't sing workshop in Derby.

It could indeed be construed as a cynical attempt to take £20 off you and tell you you have a nice voice, But ... !

That's not what it's about!

Vivien Ellis has an international reputation as a performer of mediaeval, renaissance and traditional music and has absolutely no interest in patronising people! I first met her about fourteen years ago at a voice and movement workshop for non-singers and went on to do another three afer that. I moved from being a most excellent mimer to having piano lessons, singing lessons and even daring to sing in a group. I wouldn't say i am the most confident person in the world even now, but at least I don't have a pan-technicon of hang-ups about it any more!

Vivien's premise is that singing is part of being human and it is the choral tradition of Western society that has destroyed singing for many people. For her, song was once part of the working life and social life of a community and there was no such thing as a non-singer. The purpose of the workshop is to change people's beliefs about their voices, to gain confidence and to begin to enjoy singing for its own sake.

Are you tempted? Are you still cynical? Would you like to know more?
Tel no. is 01335 324530 or e-mail: [e-mail] There are places available. And it's a bargain at £20!!

Cheers, Annie

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: Cyparissa
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 11:56 AM

Wow, this really sounds amazing. I've always wanted to sing, but I've never quite managed it. If there's any way I can possibly come, I'll do my best to be there.

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: GUEST,Annie Noble
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 12:33 PM

Hi, Cyparissa

Give me a ring if you want travel details for getting to Foreman Street, which is where The Voicebox is. Hope you can make it.

Cheers, Annie

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: John Routledge
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 12:30 PM

Looks worth getting back to the top.

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: Helen
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 03:22 PM

A a decade or so ago I went to a similar workshop at the National Oz Folk Festival in Canberra. A man whose name I won't remember held a similar workshop for a packed auditorium of people who suffered for whatever reason from the belief that they could not sing.

It was a very worthwhile workshop and received rave reviews from most of the people I talked to who attended it.

I hope your workshop goes well. If it wasn't the other side of the world I'd be there.

Helen

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 06:40 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: Cyparissa
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 08:07 AM

Well, I'm definitely going now, and I can't wait. If anyone else is coming, I'll see you there!

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: Paul Burke
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 04:03 AM

Didn't we have a great time? Well worth it, even if my thread turned out to be only plated on closer inspection.

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: CallyH
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 09:51 AM

It was fun!

Would definitely go to another one.

Rachel

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: Cyparissa
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 12:20 PM

Ditto, Cally. :)

~Pinky

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 05:10 PM

I hope you are all keeping on singing (I am, even though it's just to the dog)
Hope we can have a refresher in a few months.

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: s&r
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 10:03 AM

So many people are told they can't sing - by music teachers, friends, family. I'm with the premise here that everyone can sing: pitching the voice is a learned skill, as is holding a rhythm. The quality of the voice is to some degree a physiological thing but can only improve with guidance and practice.
Formal music often calls for a voice type that is constrained into an unnatural way of singing (still sounds great IMO) but lullabies, work songs, pub songs, playgroung chants etc can be joyous and very musical
I sang in the 'remnants' at school, and was devastated when I realised that it wasn't a compliment.

Stu

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: MuddleC
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 10:31 AM

Pinky was well prepared... she had a duvet to hide under!!!!

two days would have been good, I was just getting into singing AND 'dancing' when we had to finish..

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: Cyparissa
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 12:04 PM

I was wishing for two days also. It'd be nice to spend the first day on more warming up exercises and whatnot, and then sing more actual songs on the second day. If there was one complaint I had with the class, it would be that I wish we'd gotten to sing more songs.

Still, the exercises we learned have really helped me too. :)

~Pinky

Subject: RE: Can't Sing Won't Sing? Derby
From: MuddleC
Date: 16 Nov 05 - 09:07 AM

well, I went to a new club last night and practised the 'holding the neck straight and wide shoulders technique'.   The ceiling was that low in places, I could have banged my head!