 Voice Factory Schools' Project: Behold The Sea
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Voice Factory
As one of the Choir's aims and objectives, education has always been
an important feature and many projects have been run over the years.
A number of voice coaching schemes are currently being implemented,
all under the general banner of Voice Factory and this multi-stranded
approach allows us to encourage and promote choral singing across a
broad spectrum. It starts from the age of nine, progresses to a focus
on 16 - 25 year olds, gives support for new members who may otherwise
not have had the confidence to join us and provides ongoing training
for all members of the Choir.
1. Voice Factory - Junior Workshop
We have had great success in running Junior Workshops, which are
intended to ensure that the joy of singing is recognised and encouraged
at a young age. The workshops, which have now been attended by about
150 children, include all sorts of active participation in singing
games, improvisation, and simple harmony, facilitated by professional
vocal coaches and leading to a short performance for parents at the
end of the day.
2. Voice Factory - Junior Coaching
Following the Junior Workshops some of the tutors have worked with
small groups in each participating school for a sustained period. This
has led not only to performances within their own schools but also to
public performances at Birmingham’s Artsfest, and at the Choir's own
Christmas concert. Follow up opportunities have also been provided,
notably through an arrangement with ‘Ex Cathedra’ who offered places
in their flourishing Youth Academy.
3. Voice Factory - Young Singers
This scheme seeks to promote interest among young singers by offering
5 hours of free singing lessons each season for up to 10 members of the
Choir aged between 16 and 25 at the start of that season.
4. Voice Factory - New Members
We aim to encourage greater access to the Choir by providing new
applicants with the means to improve their vocal skills as they join.
The scheme offers £75 towards the cost of 5 hours of singing lessons
to 20 new Choir members in each year. This 20 will be determined as
being the first 10 to pass an audition after each of the 'Open
Rehearsals' in October and January.
5. Voice Factory - Choir Members
The Voice Factory initiative is embedded into the whole Choir in
order to drive performance standards to even higher levels. Groups
of 5 singers at a time are extracted from rehearsals and given a
20 minute burst of intensive vocal coaching 3 times each year. We
hope this will build up to become a valuable source for improving
technique and sound production.
The continuation of all of these schemes will depend on acquiring
sustained funding. We are grateful to the various charitable trusts
and corporate partners that have provided support to enable us to
operate the Voice Factory programme. |
The Choir extends thanks to our current Corporate Partners:
The John Lewis
Partnership is one of the UK's
top ten retail businesses, with 26 John Lewis department stores
and 184 Waitrose supermarkets and a direct services company,
Greenbee. It is also the country's largest example of worker
co-ownership.
Unity Trust
Bank
Modern banking - personal service - social values
A specialist bank for social enterprises, charities and trade
unions, constantly working to deliver the right banking solutions
for you. | 
... superb clarity and wonderful dynamics.
