CVI students at Coed co-create an Equinox singing ritual
Eden Rise, Totnes, Devon - residential and non-residential options. Fully catered, very healthy, mostly organic.
Collaborative Vocal Improvisation is Brilliant.
This is a 4-day retreat for experienced singers. That might mean you are or have been a performer, keen chorister, choir leader, singer songwriter, that kind of thing. You might not have a lot of experience in improvisation - that’s partly what we’re up to. Folks who have already done a year-long with me, it’s not that you can’t come to this, but this isn’t tailored precisely for you. This is more for experienced singers who want to dive deeply into improvised singing, collaborative and solo, perhaps for the first time.
We’ll dive deep into this artform that was pioneered by Rhiannon, Bobby McFerrin, Voicestra and WeBe3 - here is some history. And then developed by their students, among them me, Briony. You can see examples of CVI in albums like Remembering and Listen. It’s a different approach to singing from composition. Relaxing into the void, and learning to flow with what comes through, alone or with others.
Improvisation can be applied to ritual, performance, composition, community and professional singing, healing and group leadership. It’s relatively new in the UK but growing. Join the movement!
During these 4 days we’ll work with vocal development, the resonant body, improvising with lyrics, sound baskets, holding the emotional and healing aspects the artform tends to raise; wilding the voice; becoming more comfortable with the full power and vulnerability of the voice; relaxing into deep love with your own voice, moving beyond things that might be in the way of that. Supporting one another on the journey. And becoming really good improvisers!
Studying improvisation is typically a multi-year journey - it was for me. Doing it in chunks of 3-7 days at a time seems to be the way, alongside your own evolving relationship with it.
Here we go!
Dates and times
Wed 16th February
4.pm onwards - arrive and settle in
6.30pm - dinner
8-9pm - opening circle
Thursday - Saturday
10am - 5.30pm with 90 min lunch breaks
Saturday night - Wildlings Cabaret
Sunday 10.30 - 1.30
Then lunch and tidy up / pack down. Estimated leaving time about 3 / 3.30pm.
Often yoga / dance before breakfast
Alcohol free retreat
Public sugar dissuaded - minimalist approach to sugar
Price
£425 - including teaching, accommodation, 3 healthy organic meals per day + snacks, hot drinks and (hopefully… venue hasn’t completely confirmed it will be open) Sauna.
2 assistant places are available at £325
Non residential but including food - -£105.
Non residential with just lunch / some meals but not others - to be worked out.
Stay in Van - - £53