CCA Choruses:
• The Lost Sound Chorus
• The SoundSense Training Choir
The Contemporary Choral Academy is developing its choir base this year, so as well as the now established 'Lost Sound' Chorus, the new 'SoundSense' training choir starts Sept '09 - full details of both choirs on this page below.
How to join
Joinng the Lost Sound Chorus is by invitation and is dependent on where we have spaces in the choir's sections.
The SoundSense Training Choir, which is open to all, offers the perfect training opportunity to prepare you to the level required for the Lost Sound Chorus as well as other local choral groups.
We have just been in the studio recording with singer/songwriter Heg Doughty for her first album. We had a great time with her and are looking forward to the album launch, next year.
The Lost Sound Chorus
Over the last 4 years Sandra Smith has coached many different choirs of diverse styles and experience, from youth and adult mixed choruses to all male and all female groups. She has of course watched and listened to many more.
There is a one particular sound, a true, resonant ring, that is an elusive quality in choral singing – it takes a special group of people to sing in a way that is truly unified and resonant, and it’s that sound that lights up an audience with the sheer quality of the singing. Tuning, timing, articulation and vowel shape all play a part in creating it.
It is rare, but it’s attainable – and Sandra wants to create it!
When an embodied voice sings with honesty and emotion, people really listen and are deeply moved. It is a sad fact that if we lose the power to project ourselves both vocally and personally, our audiences lose the ability to listen. The Lost Sound chorus works with developing both vocal and listening skills.
With the Lost Sound Chorus, Sandra is exploring the dynamics and the relationship between the different vocal ranges that are embedded in exciting choral singing.
How can we blend our voices in an exciting, integrated way?
How can each singer be both truly autonomous and sing collectively?
How do we balance the different characters of male and female, and bring out the authentic qualities and strengths in both?
What's in a name?
The name 'Lost Sound' relates to the quality of singing that is archaic and deep in our ancestry – and sings regardless of the style of the music. It’s the sound behind the singer! It is a quality of pure, full-bodied, conscious singing that seems to be on the decline in today’s overly microphoned world. Even many of our young people have lost the ability to naturally project their sound in a positive, free way. Schools are increasingly dependant on amplification for their students to be heard. What’s happened to our vocal power?
The name also clearly relates to each individual chorus member's commitment to finding their own 'lost sound' on a personal and choral level, and each singer has experienced the development of many different aspects of their sound-making through our training. (See quotes to the right >>>)
Interested in joining us?
We take on new singers by invitation as we are keen to ensure the attitude of ’learning and exploration’ are maintained. And will only take singers who are open to ‘discovery’. Voices we are happy to train-minds are harder to change! Pre-training is offered by attending the SoundSense choir training (see below).
All singers work within these guidelines:
• We rehearse every Tuesday evening (7.30-9.30pm), and extra rehearsals will be commonplace leading up to performances.
• We require excellent attendance for rehearsals (a maximum of 3 absences per term) and that you will continue to learn and practice the pieces at home.
• All singers pay subscriptions to take part in rehearsal sessions and to be part of the chorus. The 'subs' are payable in half-term installments, which will work out at about £7 per session.
• We are only interested in singers who work easily as part of a team and who are happy to fit the vision we have for the chorus and its sound.
• The ability to easily sing in tune and in harmony is essential.
• The choir is for adult members only, i.e., over 15 years-old.
Start Back Tuesday January 5th - March 30th (half term 16th February)
– email or phone to find out more
The SoundSense training choir
NEW INTAKE JANUARY 2010 - COME AND JOIN US!
Sandra has thoroughly enjoyed working with the Lost Sound group – it’s proved to be an interesting and rewarding start to the CCA’s choir base. And as that choir moves into its 2nd year, Sandra wants to engage with more singers, and of different abilities, and train them in a similar way.
There seems to be keen interest in this explorative workshop format, where there is time to discover and experiment as we learn. It is ideal for anyone wanting to make a first step (or those needing a 'refresher') before going on to join one of the many local choirs and choruses in the area.
So, to give more people the chance to 'test the water' with this innovative choral training, Sandra is setting up a pilot scheme called the ‘SoundSense’ training choir.
Starting in September 2009, this training choir offers ongoing weekly sessions throughout the academic year, but with commitment required for the whole of each term. You are welcome to join us and discover how much more you can do with a little help, both vocally and chorally. We keep the songs at an accessible level, starting with 2 part songs and leading to 4 part. We are there to build your confidence and show you that you can do it too!
The aim of the SoundSense training is to build your vocal and technical awareness, and to improve the listening skills and tuning accuracy that harmony singing requires. Through various exercises you will have time to explore and play – all the while developing your understanding and experience of how and why choirs do what they do; why things works one way and not another! You can ask questions and have time to fully understand!S
De-mystifying musical elements is an important process for many singers who haven’t had any formal musical training – but re-mystifying the whole music making process by re-engaging the magic can be of equal importance. It has proved to be a thrilling and evocative process for the Lost Sound singers, so there's every chance this will also be true for you!
Other areas that will be explored:
• Holding harmonies: strengthening the ‘holding’ and tuning the ‘blending’ to create the ‘ring’
• Breathing techniques
• Fully engaging with the joy of expression
• Dealing with the ‘you’ in singing – getting out of the way and letting it happen!
Whether you go on to sing World music, Barbershop, Community, Gospel (or whatever style you love!), we feel you will have so much more confidence and skills to offer after training with us.
Course dates: Wednesdays 7:30-9:30pm, Buckfastleigh from January 6th - March 31st ( Half Term 17th February)
Cost: £10/session. Payment per half-term in advance. £20 non-returnable deposit required to secure your place. Please book early.
Singing & breathing training courses
– New singing courses starting in January & February 2010. A great opportunity for individual singers to develop their vocal skills, general musicianship and confidence in their singing through this unique modular course.
Full details - more
(do book early as past courses have all sold out!)
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