Participatory practice in Belfast City Choir

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

This presentation details the performance techniques and strategies involved in the participative events of Belfast City Choir.

In early 2013, John D’Arcy initiated Belfast City Choir as a means to explore the convergence of localities, literature, voice and musical improvisation. The group’s ever-changing membership led to a participatory model in which the ‘choir’ was composed solely of the audience.

Belfast City Choir performance events invite audience members of varying performance experience to engage with literature (poetry, archive texts, oral histories) through the use of their own voice. Participants are given songbooks that provide them with simple performance instructions for recitation, singing, inner contemplation, conversation, and movement. The songbooks incorporate strategies of inclusive music-making and experimental composition such as verbal and graphic notation, improvisation and games. These methods give audiences alternative means of engagement with literature that connects them with the text orally, physically and spatially.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 22 May 2018
EventNew Perspectives in Participatory Arts - University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
Duration: 22 May 201823 May 2018
https://connected-communities.org/index.php/events/event/new-perspectives-in-participatory-arts/

Conference

ConferenceNew Perspectives in Participatory Arts
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityNorwich
Period22/05/201823/05/2018
Internet address

Keywords

  • Participatory arts
  • Belfast City Choir
  • Improvisation
  • Verbal notation

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