2024 sees many new adventures….more collaborations, new venues.
TWO BARDS AND A SONGBIRD
…is going on a journey, with some venues introducing a linked vocal workshop to give people the opportunity to get even more involved. Here are all the details, dates, and links so far….and a wee taster of the show!
SATURDAY 27TH APRIL – CRICHTON CENTRAL, near Dumfries – performance 7.30, workshop 4.30. tickets
SATURDAY 18TH MAY – LESLIE TOWN HALL, FIFE – performance 7.30 – tickets
SUNDAY 16TH JUNE – THEATRE@41 MONKGATE, YORK – performance 7.30, workshop 4.00 tickets
SATURDAY 22ND JUNE – HELMSLEY ARTS CENTRE – performance 7.30, workshop 4.00 tickets
2024 is seeing the continuation and extension of something I love – collaboration! I was delighted to work on the In Harmony vocal retreat at the beautiful Snape Maltings with Mary Bourne in early March. Such a treat to work with like minded musicians and an inspiring group of singers for a whole weekend, and the event was such a success that the March 2025 version is already being planned.
I am thrilled to be working with Mary on a performance project next – a new and vibrant edition of SONGBIRDS featuring myself and Mary, with special guest musicians and singers, at Hampton Hub in October. Tickets are already on sale – here – do join us if you are in the area.
Alongside all these exciting projects, my weekly groups continue to thrive, and all my groups are welcoming new singers after Easter. HAC Singers Monday evenings, Singing For All Monday and Tuesday mornings, Easingwold Community Singers Wednesday evenings, York Military Wives Choir Thursday evenings. Do get in touch if you’d like to know more about any of these!
Finally………I can’t say much more yet, but a new project this year is ‘Tapestry of Life’. It combines my love for Carole King’s iconic Tapestry album, with my love for my family, and my sister Andrea’s book of poems, ‘Life, Love, Loss’. More to come soon on this!
… a long overdue catch-up! 6 months has passed since I last posted an update on here – there have been so many singing larks going on that I haven’t had a chance to write about them!
Do have a read and find out what I’ve been up to…..
Durham Fringe – launching Two Bards and a Songbird
Highlights of Two Bards and a Songbird at Durham Fringe Festival
Devising a Shakespeare-themed show was not something I had ever thought of doing, but when the call came out from Durham Fringe Festival asking for performances with Shakespeare links to programme, I couldn’t resist the challenge!
I soon added the Scottish Bard Robert Burns into the equation, going back to my roots and my schooldays – and quickly it became clear that my relatively newly discovered skills in looping, improvising and songwriting would be very much used in this project. I relished the whole process, being inspired by the words and worlds of both bards, and creating my own musical journey through their work, covering themes of life and death, love and loss, even war and peace! The fringe was a wonderful oppotunity to meet other performers too, and I was so impressed by the young singer/songwriter whose show followed mine at the atmospheric Cafedral Durham – Amity Miller, definitely one to watch!
Audience feedback was overwhelming at times, with one very emotional night in particular where the audience included a Ukrainian English teacher who was particularly moved by some of the pieces – she left this beautiful card…
If anyone had suggested a few years ago that I would be improvising songs on the spot using Shakespeare quotes, looping up sonnets, or even performing a Taylor Swift song as part of a performance…….these are just not things I would have thought of doing! I do believe it’s important to just pause and reflect a little on how far I have come, and the creativity that has developed within me in recent years.
My next task is to take this show onwards to different venues, festivals, events….maybe even to record some of the original arrangements and compositions to be shared. Ideas and comments on this are always welcomed.
Julius Caesar –
ajoint project with the RSC + York Theatre Royal
This year saw me take on another Shakespeare-themed project -working with 6 inspirational women from the York community, helping them prepare to be a part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Julius Caesar when it visited York Theatre Royal in June. It was a real honour to work with these talented humans, all with their own life experiences to bring to our sessions. Yes, we worked on vocal techiques and learned music to perform, but this project was so much more than that. The space to reflect on our lives, to build such strong team bonds and create something special together – that experience was so meaningful and memorable for me, and I hope for this gang of humans too. The team are pictured on the left along with Helen and Lucy from the RSC production team.
Choir successes
Each of my groups has had their own triumphs in recent months – from the Wiggi Singstars singing their hearts out on the JR Theatre stage in Joseph, to the York Military Wives Choir being almost blown away at the armed forces day performance in Bridlington! It has been great to get singing going again at Helmsley Arts Centre, with the HAC Singers going from strength to strength, and my very own Easingwold Community Singers continue to amaze me with their enthusiasm, positivity, and fab sounds. Singing For All keeps me busy as well, and the York group have had record numbers this year which is wonderful. Sadly, we have lost 3 of our regular SFA singers this Summer – David Cummings and Ernie Huck from the Easingwold SFA, and Patricia Best from the York SFA. They will be very much missed when we return in early September.
York MWC nearly being blown off the stage!
Musical Bridges with Singing For All
Musical Bridges is one of the projects I am most proud of – bringing people together in song. People of all ages, from different backgrounds and cultures, for one-off workshops. Since November I have reached 100s of singers with these sessions, aged 2 to 96! We have sung shanties, show songs, songs from Ukraine and songs from Zimbabwe – all funded by the Co-op Community Fund. I have enough funding left for 2 or 3 more sessions in the Autumn, and I have applied for another round of funding – fingers crossed I can continue to bring people together in this way and continue to make the sessions free/affordable for all.
Svetlana Ryadchanko – Songs of Ukraine – captured by Rebecca Rowan
Bruce Ncube in action – Songs of Zimbabwe – captured by Gareth Jenkins
Collaborations and catch-ups
This year has seen some inspirational collabs and catch-ups!
May’s Durham Big Sing saw my first collaboration with The Singing Elf , and found me leading my first ‘mindful singing walk’ by the riverside in Durham, as well as getting stuck in to the full day of singing-related activities. It was fantastic to see some of the singers and leaders again at my fringe show in July too.
The first ‘Community Voices’ event was held in June, a series of concerts with visiting choirs. First up was Ryedale Voices, a great community choir based in Malton, led by the amazing Alison Davis. It’s always rewarding to bring 2 choirs together, and we had a successful day including a workshop and performance at Easingwold Galtres Centre, as well as buffet and mingling time! the next Community Voices event will feature the acclaimed ‘Village Voices’ from Buckinghamshire, and their leader my good friend and inspirational walker/blogger leader Jane Smith – 7th October, do come if you can get to Easingwold!
In my last singing larks post, I mentioned that after 150 fieldsings, I was considering how to continue the fieldsinger journey – well in June/July I found the perfect partnership to do this, and ran two ‘wild singing’ walks at the stunning Forest of Flowers near Huby. The perfect spot to wander and sing with the real songbirds, with two lovely groups of singers. The Forest of Flowers team have done a magical job with this venture and it is well worth a visit – do check out their website.
Wild singing workshop 1 at Forest of Flowers
Getting together with like-minded musicians really feeds my soul and sets my creativity on fire! Recent get-togethers with Mary and Elaine were both reassuring and inspiring, as we found ourselves so much on the same wavelength. Many laughs, many ideas tossed around and challenges issued. So valuable, so much fun. Thank you both. x
Thanks for reading about Jessa’s Singing Larks! Doing these updates is a great way for me to reflect on what I’ve been up to – and helps me plan more singing antics. Remember you can always get in touch with me via this website, or on any of my social media pages. Replies might be slower over the next week as I’m off to spend a week relaxing by the sea!
Thanks again,
Jessa x
Me captured mid loop at Easingwold Summer of Music
The last few weeks have whizzed by – often the case with such a full and varied schedule. Highlights of 2023 so far have included hearing my Community Singers sing my own setting of “Composed in a Wood”, running a shanty-tastic Musical Bridges session with Chris Bartram, and getting started on the “Julius Caesar” project on the RSC and York Theatre Royal, but every day brings a new singing-related memorable moment for me. Lots of food for thought already this year, and lots of plots and plans being formed.
Me in the car armed with my trusty fieldsinger tripod!
THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE THEATRE – COMMUNITY CHOIR FESTIVAL – 8TH AND 9TH MARCH
Fast approaching is the Community Choir festival, where 2 of my choirs get the chance to perform in a lovely theatre alongside other choirs. It is wonderful to see the wide range of choirs available for people who wish to sing…
“those who wish to sing, will always find a song……and a choir!”
Even in our little market town of Easingwold, there are 4 regular groups, with dozens more in York and the surrounding area. Everyone has different tastes in music, enjoys different styles of music and of course different styles of leadership. I am so pleased with the wide range of singers that choose me and my groups, and I am delighted that my Community Singers membership has reached 50 for the first time ever.
Community Singers at the event in 2022 – I am expecting nearly double this number this year!
150 FIELDSINGS AND A TRIP TO LONDON
January saw me take a train to London to meet with the RSC music department and other creatives from their Julius Caesar tour – the start of an exciting project involving local community champions in their forthcoming performances. It was interesting to hear all about the director’s vision for the production and meet the other local MDs….and the following week, I was inspired to meet my 6 community champions. Six women who were all picked for their work in the local community – all with their own stories to tell and skills to contribute. I’m really looking forward to working with them in the next few months leading up to the performances in June at York Theatre Royal. It was also wonderful to reconnect with my partner in choir leader crime Mary for an invaluable catch up, and a swim of course!
2 happy mermaids after our swim at Hampton Pool
Last weekend saw me broadcast my 150th #fieldsing . For nearly 3 years now, I have performed a song outside every weekend (sometimes several songs!)in all weathers. Through all of life’s ups and downs, this has been a constant in my life since March 2020. Through low times and happier times, even through Covid when I sang croakily from my backyard. You’ll see #fieldsing 150 below, or check Facebook for the full chat. https://fb.watch/iBWqFGrkiV/
I don’t think I’ll stop – but I do have ideas on how I am going to take the #fieldsing and #fieldsinger concept further. It is such a therapeutic concept and I would like to develop some resources to help people benefit as much as I have, and help people find and develop their authentic voices.
Next week, I am taking a week off and going on a much anticipated family trip to Scotland. I am really looking forward to some fresh air, scenery, and the company of my long-suffering family.
Thanks for reading and hope to sing with you sometime soon,
Although I have been really busy throughout this year, despite all the lockdowns and restrictions, trying to keep all my groups going, teaching my students online, and doing my best to find performing opportunities (even if that is confined mainly to fields!), I am so pleased that I have made time for some quality lockdown learning.
To be honest, in the first few weeks of “all this”, I learned more than I have for years! In the space of a few weeks, I learned how to live stream, run choirs and lessons on zoom and You Tube…..soon after, I was able to do (very basic!) video and audio editing, broadcast live on Facebook and You Tube at the same time, and even use live looping!
But, in addition, I have made time for some mind-blowing training with these inspiring folks….
I would not be exaggerating here to say that Vocal Process has changed my life!
In the past few years, my skills, knowledge and confidence in myself as a singer,singing leader and performer have been transformed through taking part in their intensive courses – they call them “retreats”, and for good reason. My everyday life is packed with many different and varied roles, and, much as I enjoy every one of those, it is hectic! “Inside the singing voice”, “The performers’ retreat” and “The musical directors’ retreat” gave me time and space to slow down and focus on one thing only, while learning SO much about voices. (including my own!)
Like many of us, Gillyanne and Jeremy from Vocal Process have had to adapt and change how they do things this year, and have taken all their training online, which has been a huge success. The thought of taking part in their Online Singing Teacher Training in the Summer was a little scary to begin with – I am easily intimidated by people with impressive lists of qualifications and experiences! But as soon as the course got underway, I realised I was in a safe space to learn, experiment, and grow as a singing teacher, alongside a wide range of teachers from different styles, backgrounds, and continents. What an amazing opportunity, which would not have happened in the same way in “normal” times. The VP courses are such a positive learning experience, that they always make me hungry for more – so when the opportunity came to continue to do Week 3 of their online singing teacher training in September, as well as several “pop-up’ courses on different aspects of singing, I jumped at the chance. I will always be grateful to #teamVP for the inspiration, encouragement, and the gang of like-minded friends I have made through their sessions, including Vocal Intuition and Singing it Back. (#choirleaderinakayak, mermaid friend of #fieldsinger !)
Embodima
It was through a Vocal Process “Let’s Talk” event in London just over a year ago that I first met Nicola Harrison, where she gave a fascinating intro to her Embodima research. The last 3 Sunday mornings I have spent in Oxford (virtually of course!) with Nicola and 5 other singing teachers, learning about Embodima and learning to use this carefully researched concept in my singing and teaching. I really believe this is a liberating pathway that I know will help set singers free from some of the confusion and over-thinking that sometimes bogs us down. Let singers sing!
I love a notebook!
Vocal Health First Aider success!
I have long been an admirer of Jenevora Williams, having used her book as the go-to since I started teaching singing one to one. (Anyone teaching young people to sing really needs to digest this – “Teaching singing to children and young people” – available on JW’s website.) Early in the first lockdown I took an online seminar with Jenevora on vocal rehabilitation, which I found fascinating, so when, along with Stephen King, she set up Vocal Health Education and offered the vocal health first aider course, I was keen to be a part of this.
For the next few weeks, I spent much of my spare time at my laptop, watching the lectures, taking notes, and revelling in the wide-ranging learning, from medical learning about the systems of the body and possible voice problems, to the mind-body connections, mindfulness, and mythbusting.
An entirely holistic view of the voice that felt so right to me. So interesting and all so relevant to all of my work with people’s voices, and my own!
The end of course assessment was online, and I was delighted with my result in that….even though part of me (the perfectionist part!) wanted to resit the test to try and get 100% . The final part of the assessment was a short interview over a video call – I was a little nervous beforehand but the interviewer put me at ease straight away and, after our brief chat with some interesting but not too scary questions, he pronounced that I had passed and duly sent my certificate and badge to be worn with pride!
Me with my Vocal Health First Aider certificate!
Why?
Why do I do all this? Some of my close friends despair when I tell them about my next course, knowing how busy I am and how wobbly I get sometimes. I have been working with voices for 25 years…..working on my own voice, teaching young people in schools, choirs, one to one lessons, working with adults in community choirs and musical theatre…..I have learned from so many inspiring teachers and singers over the years…and there is so much to learn. The more training I do, whether it is in person, live online, recorded webinars, even just networking and sharing experience in online groups such as the Vocal Process one or choir leader crews like The Creative Choir Leader, MD Brunch and Choirs Online, the more confidence and knowledge I gain.
I gain confidence in what I DO know and what my strengths and skills are, and understand better the areas I need to learn more in.
Nobody ever knows it all, and the professionals I admire the most are those who learn from others, including their students.
Every week I learn from the people I sing with! If you would like to join in with my sessions over the next few weeks, when we will be learning some gorgeous festive songs in preparation for my ONLINE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS event on December 12th (more about that next time…), do get in touch via the contact page.
Singing really is a tonic for the body, mind, and soul, and I am so lucky to spend most of my week enjoying that tonic with so many lovely people.
