LYYRA
LYYRA, the new all-women vocal ensemble from the VOCES8 Foundation, opens the festival weekend with a concert on Friday, October 10th at 7:30 p.m.
“They are still at the beginning but their sound is already perfect” – PNP.de
Festival Schedule:
Sunday, September 28
2:00–5:00pm: Choral Rehearsal with Christian Lane*
Saturday, October 4
10:00am–1:00pm: Choral Rehearsal with Christian Lane*
*Festival singers must attend at least one of these rehearsals.
Friday, October 10
7:30pm: LYYRA in concert
Saturday, October 11
9:30am: Registration & Coffee
10:00am: Welcome
10:10am–11:00am: Workshop Session I
11:10am–12:00pm: Workshop Session II
12:10–1:00pm: A conversation with Dr. Anton Armstrong, led by WYPR’s Tom Hall
Lunch Break (with option to order onsite catered lunch)
2:00pm–5:00pm: Festival Choir Rehearsal with Anton Armstrong
Sunday, October 12
2:30pm–3:30pm: Festival Choir warm-up rehearsal
4:00pm: Festival Choir Concert
Note: Registration closes September 15th, or once capacity is reached.
Repertoire
Festival repertoire, including Margaret Bonds’ Credo, to be announced soon.
Workshops
WORKSHOPS In Session #1 (10:10-11:00am)
1. The Somatic Singer, with Peabody faculty soprano Claire Galloway
What: This workshop will be an introduction to a somatic exploration of the power of breath, connecting to our bodies, and vocalizing through movement. Somatic practices work from the body up so that we can fully understand how to regulate our nervous system through movement, breath, and truly comprehend what 'grounding yourself' can mean. There will also be a specific focus on how to use these tools to prepare for high-anxiety situations, like auditions and performances.
Why: We have become so disconnected from our bodies as humans and as singes - even vocal pedagogy talks about the larynx up, generally! By exploring breath, we connect to our entire being, find peace and safety within ourselves, and can allow our voices to fly.
What to wear/bring: Wear comfortable movement clothes and come with an open, curious self :) If you’d like (and have one) to you can bring a yoga mat.
2. Vocal Colors: Exploring Timbre and Texture in Singing, with composer & performer Sonya Knussen
This workshop explores the world of vocal color, inviting participants to discover the orchestral potential of their voices. Focusing on the textures and timbres found in a combination of orchestral and vocal pieces by composers such as Ligeti, Caroline Shaw, Britten, and Monteverdi, singers will expand their vocal palette, imitating the sounds that they hear and finding the vocabulary to describe those sounds. The workshop clarifies the distinctions between timbre and texture —timbre being the unique characteristics of sound, and texture the way different voices interact with one another. Emphasizing vocal health, participants will engage in a series of listening and vocal activities designed to encourage a creative and sustainable approach to singing.
Attendees will leave with a refined understanding of vocal color, equipped with practical techniques for its application, inspired by the rich tapestry of orchestral soundscapes, and informed by best practices in vocal health.
WORKSHOPS IN SESSION #2 (11:10AM-12:00PM)
1. Vocal Health and Maintenance, with UMBC faculty tenor Andrew Hann
Learn how your voice works and what you can do to take care of your instrument! This workshop will include an overview of voice anatomy and function, debunking vocal health myths and rumors, vocal disorders and pathology issues, how to care for your voice, and suggested warmups/cooldowns.
2. The Mature Voice: Tips & Tricks to stay nimble, with soprano Deborah Saunders
“With age comes wisdom,” the old saying goes. But, as many of us know, age also brings changes to our bodies — and to our voices! In this workshop, learn some simple tips and tricks to maximize vocal agility and hone technique in one’s full maturity. Soprano Deborah Saunders, who still performs after more than five decades of professional singing, guides us on this journey of rediscovery.
3. Sightsinging and Musicianship for Rehearsal and Practice, with conductor and tenor Will Myers
This workshop centers on giving singers practical tools for improving individual rhythmic consistency and textual expression in rehearsal and practice, as well as allowing singers to be more confident sight singers. Incorporated will be group exercises that can also be utilized in individual practice (count singing, variation on removing or simplifying certain musical elements at a time, etc.), recommended marking/annotations, and physical/embodied approaches to music making (such as rhythmic and arthymic breathing, basic conducting techniques, etc.).