Vocal Exploration -- events & classes

General Covid care: During the summer most of my offerings will be outdoors, in the most resonant space available. Masks will be optional and not shamed; I will not be wearing one outdoors. I am fully vaxxed and boosted. I will cancel if I am symptomatic or have a positive test; I will test if I have a confirmed exposure during the 10 days preceding the event. I ask that everyone attending also care tenderly for the group's sense of well-being. Singing unmasked spreads; singing with well-fitted N-95 equivalent masks appears to normalize the risk level.

August 24th Choral Arts Summer Sing
an original songcycle 

Where: Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA. First Congregational Church, on the green.
When: Wednesday, August 24th, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: by donation
Registration: None -- simply show up!
Covid care: The building currently requires masking. Please check here before the session for current COVID protocols.
What: Seven songs from the oral community singing movement arranged and sequenced into an accompanied SATB choral work easily accessible to sightreaders.
How: Brenda Chien will accompany, and I will direct first learning the piece, then singing through it for the full experience.
More: visit the CAFUV website to learn more about the entire set of summer sings sponsored by the Choral Arts Foundation of the Upper Valley.

If you'd like to listen to the songs ahead, here they are. Know that I'll be tweaking things in the arrangement, and there will be some additional, more complicated parts, but if you've heard these and can sing along with them, learning the song cycle will feel very manageable.

Mourning Dove by Wendy Luella Perkins (this is my personal recording; Wendy Luella hasn't released this yet)
To Listen is to Lean In Softly by Ian Carrick (Ian's own recording)
The Children's Song by Heather Pierson (Heather's own recording)
Pray with Our Feet by Paul Vasile (Paul's recording; we'll be singing this faster in this arrangement...)
Heart Wide Open by Lea Morris (Lea's own recording)
Ocean of Breath by me (my podcast recording)
Hope Lingers On by Lissa Schneckenburger (the video of her band, Low Lily, is on this page... we'll be singing this one a little more slowly in this arrangement!)

Would you like to see a pdf beforehand of the DRAFT score? (draft... still refining...) email juneberrymusic@gmail.com to request one. Probably I'll be on draft #8 by the time we sing, but that's okay... the Choral Arts Foundation is generously printing copies of the score for singers, so on the evening of the premiere, everyone will have an up-to-date copy provided.

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July 31  Vocal Improv Workshop
intense vocal exploration for experienced singers 

​Where: Leddy Park: the tent between the Ice Arena and Leddy Beach.
When: Sunday, July 31st, 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Cost: free
Registration: Required, by invitation
Covid care: You'll be singing with me outdoors. Masks are optional; there is plenty of space to stand at your own distancing comfort levels.
What: A small group of experienced vocal improvisers making music together, co-facilitated by Joy Truskowski and Patricia Norton
How: Following "tuning-in" time and introductions, participants offer activities exploring a variety of ways to co-create music of the moment. Exercises included Soul-Songs, Shape-Shifting, Traveling Bands, Supported Solos, Fish-on-the-water, Dog/cat greetings, Group Home and Away.
More: There may be a more inclusive participatory element -- stay tuned!

July 2  Soundings
outdoor vocal meditation time 

We are a go! Think wet grass & mosquitoes....

​
Where: The gazebo area at the Pinnacle in Ethan Allen Park, Burlington, VT
When: Saturday, July 2nd, 8:00-9:00 a.m., if it's not storming.
Cost: by donation
​Registration: None -- simply show up!
Email notifications: If you'd like an email confirmation that it's happening at 6:00 a.m. on the morning of, or to be notified of future soundings, please send me an email at juneberrymusic@gmail.com.

What: A sounding is a way of measuring into the deep. I will provide gentle guidance to open space for your own exploration of sound, both your own and what develops in the space among us. This will be an ephemeral music making, shaped by the natural surroundings and what each of us brings. Sometimes I call it "acceptance-singing." Hesitant singers are welcome, but I will not be doing vocal coaching/training during these times, beyond holding a welcoming presence and invitation to listen deeply.

How: We are not likely to be a large gathering, so know that your voice will be heard by all and form an integral part of the group sound. As you walk, bike, or run into the park, let yourself begin to let go and loosen. Start to notice how your body feels, moving on the path, listen for the sound of your breath. As you arrive at the Pinnacle area, look and listen for us in the gazebo or surrounding area. Slip yourself into a space that is comfortable for you with as little disturbance to those around you as you can manage. You may wish to bring a pillow or a blanket for sitting on the stone benches or grass; you may be most at ease standing, or you may shift during the hour. 

Listen and breathe.
Join the sound first through your ears, letting it flow into your body.
Let your body be fully present.
Let your breath join the group’s breathing, drawn up from the ground and released to the air.
Finally, when you feel bathed and released in the sound, open your throat and listen as your voice joins.

June 30th  Play with Lea Morris
UVMC Community Sing 

Where: Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA. CCBA pavilion. (Behind the CCBA center, beside Eldridge Park.)
When: Thursday, June 30th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Cost: $15
Registration: https://uvmusic.org/event/community-sing-with-lea-morris-patricia-norton
Covid care: Outdoors, masks welcome, no vaccine checks. We will not lead any activities that pressure you into close proximity.
What: Learn more about Lea at thisislea.com and you already know about Patricia... we've been collecting songs for quite a while and are completely delighted to be able to make music together!
How: Everything will be taught by ear, all voices are welcome. 

June 21st Make Music Vermont
community sing in Leddy Park

​Where: Leddy Park: the tent between the Ice Arena and Leddy Beach.
When: Tuesday, June 21st, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Cost: free
Registration: None -- simply show up!
Covid care: You'll be singing with me outdoors. Masks are optional; there is plenty of space to stand at your own distancing comfort levels.
What: Pocket songs and spell songs -- musical resources of connection, awareness, and play -- sung by the people who are present.
How: I'll teach the songs gently such that everyone is comfortable... all songs taught by ear, all voices, ages, and abilities welcome.
More: Visit the Make Music VT page to find ways to be involved with music all day on this longest day of the year!

June 4th Pocket Songs in a Pavilion
at the UVMC Sing & Play Festival

Where: Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA. CCBA pavilion. (Behind the CCBA center, beside Eldridge Park.)
When: Saturday, June 4th, 3-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration: None -- simply show up!
Covid care: Outdoors, masks welcome, no vaccine checks. I will not lead any activities that pressure you into close proximity.
What: I've been gathering music and catching songs of my own -- songs for soothing, energizing, strengthening, digging ever deeper for resilience. I'm using these songs myself on a daily basis -- our voices are a fundamental, built-in way of supporting ourselves. Let's use them!!!
How: I'll have my looper and mic to back us in singing a sweet mix of songs. Everything will be taught by ear, all voices are welcome. 
More: Sing & Play Festival (uvmusic.org)