Singing is the Spirit of the Season
There’s something about the holidays and singing together. I don’t know exactly what it is - maybe the sense of community and sharing on cold nights or in acoustically “live” houses of worship - that gives me goose bumps. A cappella music especially. Maybe that is why NBC is airing the “Sing-Off” right now. It’s going to do for a cappella singing what “So You Think You Can Dance” has done for the explosion of the interest in dance. Although I’ve sung in choirs, choruses, and madrigal groups, I had forgotten much of the technicality and nuance that unaccompanied voices are capable of producing and the terminology my choral directors used to critique performances. As one of the judges, Ben Folds, said two nights ago about the Sing-Off, “It’s a different way of listening to voices without all the technology of processed sound backing them up. You get a much better appreciation for the talent of the vocalists.”
Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with Philip Hamilton about a cappella singing and the concept of “voice,” both as it applies to self-actualization and in a literary sense as well as the larger musical sense. He’s a composer and creator of an a cappella group called VOICES that we’re bringing to Portland for performances in April and residency activities in February and April. We’ve talked about his mission, his life, his calling around music—bringing people together. For him, it’s not just about the music. It’s about the vocal sharing and blending of people from many different backgrounds/cultures that creates a more global understanding, but at the same time honors the uniqueness of the individual. It’s about empowerment and listening. I’m enjoying our collaboration to create a choral primer to support the VOICES presentation and learning more about types of vocal techniques such as throat singing and beat-boxing with one of Philip’s tribe, Kenny Muhammad. I’m hopeful that as many students as possible throughout the area will participate in residency activities such as workshops and lecture/demonstrations.
And I’m looking forward to singing Christmas carols with friends on Christmas Eve, reviving a time-honored tradition of caroling around the neighborhood to bring “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All.” (I’m also asking Santa for a hug from Chris Botti!)
Happy Holidays! See you in the new year.
nora krainis says:
Thanks, Barri Lynn! Bottom line - singing with a group creates family which in turn fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of one another. And then, makes one automatically part of a HUGE family of singers, which ensures a “home away from home” wherever one goes! I look forward to the VOICES workshops and performances—can’t wait to have them work with my students!! Thanks again!
meartsed says:
What fun to read your post about a cappella Barri Lynn. I look forward to learning more about the residency with Philip Hamilton. Last week my husband and I joined a friend and attended the evening of student a cappella performances at Bowdoin College. There were seven groups who performed in the Pickard Theater and what a treat it was! They sang a variety of holiday songs and had the packed theater, of mostly students, wildly appreciative for their good work!
Gibson Fay-LeBlanc says:
Great post. It’s really interesting to think about how one’s musical voice compares to one’s speaking voice or writing voice. And what about trying on someone else’s voice? Or finding one’s own ‘authentic’ voice? It’s interesting to hear that Hamilton values the community building what happens when a space is created for individuals of vastly different backgrounds to share their voices with each other. Everyone involved is changed by such an experience.
Alyson Ciechomski says:
Singing together fosters a sense of community for the performers and the audience. Music brings people together for a common goal which is a powerful experience.
Patrick McCarthy says:
Amen! Contemporary a cappella has been around for a long time and it’s great that it is finally coming to the forefront of the commercial industry. I’m very much looking forward to attending the VOICES presentation as I sing in my own group, the Sidecar Heroes. Singing in it’s organic form is truly an art. Thanks for the post!
Maria Moreau says:
i completely agree, great post.