Release Your Voice

For anyone wishing to revive, strengthen or simply awaken their voice, this course will enable singers of all levels to address problems of tired, tense, undeveloped or unsteady voices. Support is given to undo the unhelpful habits that can interfere with free-flowing, natural singing, using breathing, posture, articulation and resonance exercises. This is essentially a vocal technique, rather than a repertoire, course, but there will be some simple ensemble singing to begin applying new-found skills.

Singing is a deeply physical and embodied experience, and this supportive and powerful four-day course with the deeply knowledgeable Barbara Alden will help singers of all experiences to revive, strengthen or simply awaken their voice. Look forward to releasing any tiredness, tension, or unsteadiness in your singing voice, and gain more confidence to sing with ease. Whatever your singing experience, you’ll be able to learn techniques to free the flow of voice through your body.

Working with Barbara and within this friendly and informal group, you’ll learn how to use breathing, posture, articulation and resonance exercises to create free-flowing, natural singing, This course is focussed on technique, rather than repertoire. However, you’ll enjoy some simple ensemble singing so you’re practicing and embedding your knowledge of your exciting and energising vocal skills.

You’ll cover posture, breathing, articulation, resonance, versatility, extending your vocal range, and simple ensemble singing. By the end of this course, you’ll understand how your vocal mechanism works, how to loosen up your vocal musculature, how to connect your breath to your voice with more precision, and feel more freedom and flexibility in your singing. Whether you’re longing to join a choir but you’re too nervous, you’re an experienced choral singer and your voice isn’t working as easily as it used to, or you simply want to find joy and ease in singing, you’ll fit into this gentle and supportive course. 

You’ll spend most of your course working as a whole friendly group, although there may be opportunities to divide into smaller groups for some separate part-singing.

The course is for all levels, whether for experienced choral singers who find their voice is not working as easily as it used to, or timid singers who would like to join a choir but don't feel ready to, or anyone simply wishing to find joy and ease in singing! No previous courses or standards are required. Ability to read music is helpful, but not a prerequisite.

Music will not be provided in advance, but will be provided by the tutor on the course, alongside some exercise hand-outs to take away. Please bring loose, comfortable clothing. Please bring a small hand mirror and a mat or towel to lie on, as some posture and breathing exercises are easier to practice when your back is supported by the floor. If this isn’t right for you, please don’t worry, it’s not essential.