Vocalise
Developing vocals as a main vehicle of self-expression & creativity
The focus of the Vocalise project was to develop the musical talent of a group of young people through a workshop programme that included a year-long after-school project at the City Academy and a 2-day residential on the River Dart in Devon.
Workshops included songwriting, vocal training and creative vocal expression which aimed to outline all the creative areas that can be explored through vocal sounds including song, poetry and the spoken word. This helped steer the young people into developing ideas for their final vocal arrangements.
On a 3-day residential the Vocalise particpants joined forces with the City Academy School choir in a weekend of Vocalise-style workshops alongside rehearsals of Beethovens Choral Symphony No 9 which was performed later that summer at the Colston Hall. Inspired by stunning views over the River Dart and breaks for walks or cricket on the beach, the weekend successfully merged musical genres and cultures.
The project finished with recording sessions in a professional studio and the production of a CD of the work for which the young people developed the artwork. Participants steered the creative direction of the project throughout, incorporating a Vstoryboard into their work which documented the year and is used to inspire other young people.