WORKSHOPS

PAST WORKSHOPS

Saturday October 13th, 2012 - 'Songlines' with Marie Anderson

There are many ways to learn about singing and there are many ways tocommunicate. In Australia, Aboriginal people communicate with each other and create new ideas using songlines. These are bridges used to connect people with story, art, movement and music. On Saturday October 13, Marie Anderson and the Woodstock Fanshawe Singers will explore songlines by listening, vocalizing, singing together: finding ways to meet each other vocally. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a yoga mat or a blanket and be prepared to go on a vocal exploration. 

Marie Anderson has an Honours Bachelor of Music Education (1976) from the University of Western ON, a Bachelor of Education from Elborn College University of Western ON (1977), and a Masters of Education (2009) from Queens University, Kingston ON. Marie has studied advanced courses in vocal pedagogy and choral technique at Princeton University, the Voicecare Network, St. John’s University, Minnesota, and in Kingston with Dr. Mark Sirett.

For 20 years, Marie co-founded and directed La Jeunesse Youth Choirs: a youth choral program in Northumberland County ON that grew to include four choirs, ranging in age from four to nineteen years. Under her direction, the choir toured Europe five times, receiving four gold medals in International competition. They have five CDs and can be heard on CBC radio and American Public Broadcasting. Marie now lives in Kingston where she conducts the Cantabile Junior Choir.

Marie leads many workshops in vocal technique for school boards and choir and creative use of the voice (riverVoice humanVoice, 2012). In this project, she collaborated with installation artist Joan Scaglione to produce music for an art installation that explores the connection between human consciousness and river consciousness. She has developed a group vocal technique program that she teaches at Queens Conservatory, and has established a thriving private studio at Upper Canada Academy of Performing Arts. Marie teaches vocal technique in the St. Lawrence Music Theatre Department. Additionally, she has developed a unique youth arts program at Sydenham Street United Church called Many Gifts One Spirit. In 2011, MGOS commissioned R. Murray Schafer to compose and provide artistic direction of a community-inspired music drama called JoB: A Cosmic Tapestry, which premiered in May of that year. She is in demand as a workshop clinician and adjudicator across Canada.

Vocal Health Workshop with Frances Reimer:

On Saturday February 4^th 2012, the WFS and other interested individuals from the community came together to engage in an interactive workshop about vocal health with speech pathologist Frances Reimer.

The workshop offered participants important information about the way the voice works as a basis for making healthy choices about the demands we all place on our voices. Her holistic approach to healthy voice function and practical tips about prevention of voice trouble as well as healthy maintenance of the voice made for an incredibly informative morning!

Weren’t able to attend? Plans are already in place to have Frances join us next season for another workshop on Vocal Health – we hope you can join us. Details will be posted soon!

Frances Reimer holds a Master of Music Degree in Voice Performance (M.Mus.) and a Master of Clinical Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology (M.Cl.Sc.). She maintains a private singing studio in London, Ont. as well as a private practice providing assessment, counselling, and treatment to voice users of all ages. Ms. Reimer has held the positions of Voice Instructor at the Faculty of Music, UWO, and Clinical Supervisor for the Speech and Hearing Clinic, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, UWO. She has provided services as a voice specialist to the Stratford Festival Theatre Company and served as guest clinician and lecturer for the Faculty of Education, Faculty of Music , and the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, UWO, as well as the Intervarsity Choral Federation, Kodaly Society of Canada, Ontario Music Educator’s Association and the London District Catholic School Board.