Inhabit Your Body, Inhabit Your Songs

This in-depth workshop will help you to express the full story you want to tell through song. In this supportive setting, you'll look at any tensions and involuntary movements that might exist in the body and be inhibiting your dramatic expression. You'll then playfully experiment with techniques for uncovering musical clarity and the freedom to fully express yourself. In practice, this means you'll workshop previously prepared songs as you explore the interplay of text exploration, vocal/musical exercises and expressive movement in large and small groups. You’ll work towards integrating the body, the performance space and your interpretative powers in performance, learning to trust your imagination, visualisation and spontaneity in the moment, building the confidence to ‘stay live’ in the act of singing.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to take ownership of your chosen songs. You’ll build the confidence to arrive at your own musical interpretations and feel more technically secure. You'll also feel freer to express, move, and put your own mark on the repertoire.

You’ll learn in two types of sessions: Morning workshop/masterclasses where you'll work in large groups, giving and sharing feedback with your peers and tutors. Each of these will have a focus, so when you’re not singing, you’ll be learning from your peers in the group. Afternoon small group/one-to-one sessions, will be flexible spaces that allow you to explore specific elements of your vocal and physical presence. At the end of the course, there will be a group sharing where you can explore staying connected in performance. You’ll give verbal feedback to your fellow singers, and you’ll leave with a completed self-assessment to reflect on after the course.

This course is designed for singers at the Confident and Skilful levels. Please see our Ability Levels Explained for further detials. 

Confident solo singers who know their music and text, including being able to translate their songs in detail into English when needed will get the most from this course. 

You should prepare two songs with an additional shorter song in reserve. Each piece should be between 3-5 minutes long. You are expected to have your songs memorised unless you're working with more complex 20th and 21st century music, where you can use the score as a musical aid.

You will also need to bring two printed copies of each score - one for the Madeline and another for Thomas. 

Helpful resources for repertoire: The Benslow Music Library also has a good selection of music which may be borrowed during the course or in advance by Benslow Music Members.  IMSLP is another online resource with a wide range of scores and parts.