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TORONTO WORKSHOPS with Laurel Murphy SongRise: Music and Magic in the Moment Friday, May 2nd starting promptly at 7:30 p.m.Imagine your voice - your irreplaceable and inimitable voice - soaring, whispering, and wailing in an ever-evolving circle of song. SongRise provides a soulful surround for each singer to discover the joys of the spontaneous voice. Take your place in the circle and watch songs rise and fall: body-shakin’ grooves, sacred rants, earthy chants, and sonic castles made from all the esoteric/harmonic/melodic/rhythmic/sonic elements we can muster. Other than cool water, ears willing to listen, and a voice open to the whims of the heart, what more do you need? Inspired by the work of Bobby McFerrin (plus her years of performing, teaching, and wandering), Laurel Murphy will guide participants down the sonic pathways to Home, where the voice lives. Where: 1443 Bathurst St. (just south of St. Clair West) Who: Laurel Murphy approaches singing like an artist approaches a blank canvas.How: For further information, check out: http://www.laurelmurphy.com Confirm your attendance with Gary Diggins (gdiggins@aol.com) Ask questions (416) 707.1123Cost: Show up with $20 anytime after 7 p.m. Please bring water. -------------------------------- Soul Songs: An Opus Groovus in Two Movements Sat/Sun, May 3rd & 4th, 2008 Part One: The Gifts (and imps) of Improvisational Singing Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. When you put down the sheet music or disregard the rehearsed song, what is left? Singers take a leap of faith. You open ears, heart, mouth, and soul in order to fly free, trusting your powers of intention, invention, and improvisation. Is this something any one can do? Vocalist and teacher Laurel Murphy says, “YES!” Drawing upon her many years as a vocal explorer and her work with Rhiannon, Laurel will guide the group through interactive and solo exercises designed to nudge or push us into a cosmos of possibility, intentionality, and artistry. Lift off requires only two things: you sing past your fears and stretch into the unknown (while having a good time.) · Bring more aliveness to your music · Work imaginatively with vocal tone, texture, and technique · Soar past your personal edge of comfort · Respond to the moment · Be an original and let out your own signature sound Part Two: Going Deeper Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Vocal improvisation is a practice of presence, a kind of sonic meditation combining listening deeply and responding authentically. As we move deeper into the process of improvisation we will get to ask ourselves some important questions: · Are you tuned in or elsewhere when improvising? · Can you respond to artistic impulses or do you edit ideas? · Who gets to sing, Mean Critic or Magical Muse? · Can you enjoy ‘mistakes’ as steps in discovering? · What do you sing if a bear attacks you? Where: 219 St. Clair West, just west of Avenue Rd. in Gary Diggins’ Studio. Who: Laurel Murphy, Vancouver-based vocalist, teacher, and performer For further information, check out: http://www.laurelmurphy.com How: Confirm your attendance with Gary Diggins (gdiggins@aol.com) Ask questions (416) 707.1123 This is a wee group session (intimate). Smart people would pre-register. Cost: $150 per participant for Saturday and Sunday. *Option to register for Saturday only, if space allows ($90). (Please bring a bag lunch & water.) Sponsored by Toronto SoundSource ® 2008 SINGING ON THE EDGE with Laurel Murphy As of June 2007, I am taking a break from the regular sessions at the Roundhouse. I very much appreciate the support of the Roundhouse, and the singers that have been showing up with their generous hearts and voices over the past 10 years. This is a great time of regrouping for me, allowing ideas to percolate, and new information to come through. I am still offering Singing on the Edge classes and SongRise for out-of-town workshops. Please be in touch if you are interested. PAST OFFERINGS "SING" DOCUMENTARY
SING! This film was produced by Bill Weaver produced in association with Vision-TV, Bravo and Knowledge Network
Sing! will inspire you to rediscover your voice! Premiered across Canada in November 2000 on Vision-TV. To order call 1-250-386-3184
"FLIGHT" Rhiannon's Interactive Guide to Vocal Improvisation This
2 cd set features acclaimed vocalist Rhiannon with guest teachers Joey
Blake, Laurel Murphy, Linda Tillery, Jeannie Tracy and David Worm. (Rhiannon,
Joey, David and Linda are former members of Bobby McFerrin's "Voicestra".)
From basic voicework to improvisation with a six person a cappella ensemble,
Rhiannon will guide you through interactive vocal exercises that show
you how to leave the sheet music behind and cut loose in the jazz, gospel,
Latin and African traditions. You will learn to tap the richness of
your own voice and inner musical landscapes while you sing solo or with
friends. CD
ONE: Taking Flight Taking Flight lays the foundation in a one on one vocal lesson with Rhiannon. Practise vocal technique, call and response, pattern duets, and a variety of improvising ideas. Sing over a jazz vamp, learn the blues and sing harmony in a three part gospel tune. CD
TWO: Soaring Soaring gives you a six person a cappella group to jam with. Create your own parts, solo over top and learn about basslines and vocal percussion. Trade solos with the singers, learning from their examples and spreading your musical wings over a variety of grooves and jazz, latin and gospel songs.Ordering Info: www.rhiannonmusic.com Download
an mp3 excerpt of: Download
an MP3 Player (see "software") PAST PROJECTS / PERFORMANCES Laurel Murphy at the Wellington with Hugh Buckley, guitar and Dave Fleming, bass Baggots St. Bridge, Dublin 4
Rhiannon in Concert with Laurel Murphy and special guests An unforgettable evening of song, story and spontaneous invention!
Ticketmaster: 280-3311 2007 SEASON SATURDAYS AT THE ROUNDHOUSE SINGING ON THE EDGE Learn to improvise and fly free, trusting your musical instincts. Vocalists Laurel Murphy and David Hatfield offer a variety of interactive group and solo exercises that help to build skills in rhythm, harmony, vocal technique and theory while encouraging participants to sing past their fear and enter a world of creativity and joyful self-expression. Open to anyone who is willing to stretch and have fun! Bring drinking water. No Class: Feb 10 Instructors: Laurel Murphy & David Hatfield (alternating) Saturdays, Jan 13-Feb 24 1:30pm-3:00pm (course # 61020.101RH) $105/6 sessions (gst inc) NO DROP-INS
Are you looking for a different kind of singing experience? Leave the sheet music behind and join in a circle of vocal magic every Saturday! Inspired by the work of Bobby McFerrin, Laurel Murphy and David Hatfield will lead participants in spontaneous grooves, rhythms and harmonies--music created in the moment. All you need is your voice and your enthusiasm--no experience required! Regular participants will be invited to perform at the Roundhouse's 10th Anniversary celebration. Bring drinking water. No class Feb 10 Instructors: Laurel Murphy & David Hatfield (alternating) Sat Jan 13-Feb 24 3:15pm-4:45pm $10/drop-in (gst inc) The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre is located at 181 Roundhouse Mews at the foot of Davie Street. 604-713-1800 www.roundhouse.ca SINGING ON THE EDGE AND HARMONY CLASS on Bowen Island Sat April 28 I'll be demystifying harmony and teaching the elements of improvisation and finding your own music at these two classes offered at the upcoming Bowen Music Camp. There are a number of other presenters that may be of interest to the guitarists in the crowd. What a good excuse for an excursion to Bowen.
Nov 25-27 Rhiannon's workshops are designed to help singers find their own place in the world of music where invention and intuition meet skill and heart. Working alone, in pairs, and in ensemble, singers delve deeply into the possibilities of spontaneously composed music, strengthening skills in rhythm, vocal tone, texture and technique, plus body integration, harmony and ear training. "Circle of Song" Advanced Improvisation Workshop Cost: $300 ($50 non-refundable deposit.) Spaces will be held only upon receipt of full payment. See Workshop Details SONGRISE with Laurel Murphy at the Roundhouse, Summer/Fall 2005 Visit with friends and join in an evening of vocal magic at the Roundhouse! Bring your voice and full presence to this spontaneous circle of grooves, rhythms and harmonies. Inspired by the work of Bobby McFerrin, SongRise is a joyful improvisational singing experience, open to all. Fridays evenings, 8-9:30pm on the following dates: Fall Sessions: $10 drop-in or $63.00/8 sessions. Course # 61020.401RH. Room B Please allow enough time to pay at the front desk and bring your receipt. (Credit cards are accepted.) Bring drinking water. If you would like to be informed of last minute schedule changes and upcoming events, add your name to the email list by emailing your info. Include your phone number and address if you like for a (very occasional) hard copy mailing. Please remember to bring drinking water.
March 11 & 12 2005 at Rossini's, Gastown Sunday, February 6, 2005 at the Jazz Cellar Featuring Daryl Jahnke guitar, Jodi Proznick bass, Bernie Arai drums and Tilden Webb piano. $44 (show $15 payable in cash at the door. Dinner $29 plus tax, drinks & tip, payable at table (visa accepted.) By reservation. Some concert-only tickets available. . Saturday, January 22, 2005 Me, Myself and We 7:30pm An improvisation forum featuring Laurel Murphy and friends. By donation. "I
AM HERE - NOW"
Roundhouse Community Center. FREE! We live in a city brimming with cultural diversity. It is important to both celebrate this rich multicultural fabric and to recognize the isolation and loneliness of difference it can generate. I Am Here, was an artist residency that addressed notions of home, sense of place, displacement, immigration and integration. Coming from an extensive background of working with community groups as well as with professionals, resident artists, Laurel Murphy (improvisational singing) and Kathryn Ricketts (contemporary dance), facilitated the exploration of these themes through the use of voice, text and movement. They fused their expertise in voice, theatre and dance and, together, chart new territory with a dynamic community group from the Roundhouse. Dec 21 2004: SongRise at the Solstice Celebration Roundhouse Community
Center Laurel
Murphy in Concert May 8 2004
All Levels Open to all levels
of experience. Each 3-hr session will focus on a different aspect of
vocal improvisation.Register at the Roundhouse: 604/713-1800 BOWEN
ISLAND: Singing on the Edge Weekend Intensive Maximum: 13 students This retreat is for singers who wish to tap into their own unique sound and creative expression. We will reconnect with our voices and deepen the experience of singing in our wooded surroundings. Through circle singing, call and response, and a variety of group and solo exercises, we will experiment with the voice as instrument and discover the magic of improvisation. We will incorporate other disciplines such as writing, movement and wordplay to stoke the creative fires, as well as vocal technique, theory, rhythm and harmony to help lay a foundation for the music. Learning to improvise can be a journey of self-discovery. As you learn to trust and follow your spontaneous impulses you will discover the path to your own, musical heart! Open to all levels of singers who are ready to stretch their personal edge and have fun! Meals:
$60 (Includes 8 meals.) The Voice as Instrument An improvisation workshop with Joey Blake. A workshop with Joey Blake (one of the founding members of Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra) exploring the magic of improvisation. Joey offers a wealth of experience and unique insights into all aspects of singing and improvisation. Highly recommended for singers wishing to add new depth and aliveness to their singing!Click here for photo, bio and soundbytes Ongoing Vocal Improvisers Project Vocal
improvisers are wanted for a longterm project: the creation of a Vocal
Improvisers Company, directed by Laurel Murphy. Singers should be experienced
in improvisation and/or be skilled as vocalists, comfortable singing
solo, scatting (as in the jazz genre), blending (a cappella) and have
very strong rhythmic skills. Sightreading and knowledge of music theory
is helpful but not essential. For more information, click
here. |
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