Almost every rehearsal there comes a moment that we stand in a circle, and ask a few singers to sit or lay down in the middle so we can sing to them. I tell the newbies “sometime people ask me how Sing Portland! is different from all those other choirs… well this is one reason…”
We may be singing a beautiful, slow and simple Turkish lullaby or we may get very playful with a wild jungle song from West Africa. The experience is obviously different. But without exception do singers enjoy the surround sound effect.
Rarely enough do we get sung to in every day life, let alone surrounded by a bunch of singing enthusiasts. Both singers and listeners find it a treat to sing like this; they’re often moved. It is pure love to be sung to by 40 singers or so. As a singer it is also a gift to be able to sing to someone who totally drinks it in with eyes closed, and to watch the listener being transported.
So here’s your treat… Now it’s your turn. Have a seat. Or lay down on the floor if you wish. And close your eyes, and let us sing to you. Here’s a warm up exercise we do to tune in and up with each other. It’s called the Cathedral. I learned it in my music therapy training in Holland some 14 years ago. It’s the kind of singing exercise that you can’t get enough of – either singing it or listening. No matter what part you’re singing.
Happy travels!
Thank you Community Choir Leadership Training for preparing me to create an awesome choir like Sing Portland!, and allowing me to bring all these beautiful singing experiences into the world. Thank you CCLT buddies (Elizabeth Melvin in particular) for singing this exercise with me last year and making a recording of it!
May you sing and be sung to always,
Marion
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