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ImproVox: News

What IS a VORTEX?!?!

Don't let the name fool you into thinking it's something from outer space! VORTEX is what we call a circle of friends singing together. We lead the group gently through vocal warm-ups and into a place where playing together with our voices feels comfortable for all. No one is forced into soloing and everyone is allowed to fall - it's all about SAFELY exploring our voices and the melodies inside us. YOU know you hear the music! WE know you hear the music! A VORTEX is the opportunity to share those melodies, rhythms, acoustic textures and game/forms which support those explorations in an uplifting and supportive atmosphere. Can you say "WICKED FUN"????

ImproVox gives voice its due - January 30, 2010

Vox populi

ImproVox gives voice its due

By Dagney C. Ernest
Jan 26, 2010


Rockport — Human beings putting their voices together has to be one of the earliest cultural practices we have, but for many modern folk, it only happens in very specific times and places — at religious gatherings, for example, or around a birthday cake or during the seventh inning stretch of a Red Sox game. ImproVox — five Maine musicians who pursue the practice of vocal improvisation — are on a mission to bring people back to their vocal roots, and they will bring that mission to the sonorous Cider Barn of Rockport's Carver Hill Gallery Sunday evening, Jan. 31.

Calling what ImproVox does a mission makes it sound serious, and these singers are serious about the transforming power of vocal music, but the workshops and performances they present also are a lot of fun, for the group, its workshop participants and its concert audiences.

"We've tried recording what we do, but it's something like trying to capture the Northern Lights ... you really have to be there to experience it," said Deb Hensley of Belfast, one of the group's members.

Sunday's experience will begin at 6 p.m. with what the group calls a vocal Vortex workshop, followed at 7:30 p.m. by an a cappella performance by ImproVox and, to some degree, the audience.

"We involve the audience as much as they like," Hensley said.

Space in the Cider Barn is limited, so Carver Hill, located at 264 Meadow St., is encouraging advance signup. Cost is $15 for both workshop and concert; space may be reserved by calling 236-0745.

Ask the members of ImproVox how the group came together and each has a different answer, said Hensley. Almost all have studied with Rhiannon, a member of Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra. Hensley, a consultant on the value of music and art in early education who currently works from home for the Center for Ecological Living and Learning, frequently travels to attend Rhiannon's workshops, most recently by invitation.

When Hensley and her family moved from New York to Maine, she said, she needed "to find my people" - people who love to play with their voices. She started meeting people around the state for improvisational singing, and these gatherings eventually led to her and three other singers making a commitment to work together. Almost all of them used music in their working lives — one is a full-time musician — and all have been involved with music all their lives. They came from around the state and various walks of life: Dr. Fred White is a psychologist who performs on a number of instruments and with a number of groups; Kathy Slack is a singer, actor and teacher; and Martin Swinger is a well-known Maine singer/songwriter. With the addition of vocal coach and singer Matt Loosigian, ImproVox came together.

"Everyone's a gem, and Matt really brought us to a new level of professionalism," said Hensley, hastening to add that the group has no director per se.

Even though they live in different parts of the state and have busy lives, the five members of ImproVox manage to meet once a week, either in Augusta or Brunswick. They do perform some prepared pieces, but the heart of the group is improvisation and while that by definition means creating music on the spot, they rehearse.

"What we're doing is rehearsing a process, a technique," said Hensley. "Improvisation is a tricky thing. It's not structure-less or free form, it's open."

Established forms the group will work with during their weekly sessions include stacking interlocking parts — their vocal ranges approximate the standard bass/tenor/alto/soprano paradigm, although Hensley and Slack switch around — long tones, creating rounds in the moment, playing with rhythm and percussion, and working to match vocal tone.

"We're always saying, let's try this or hey, we haven't tried that," said Hensley.

That willingness to try something new and explore where it goes is key and part of the reason vocal improvisation "fires my belly up," said Hensley.

"It pushes the edges and makes you take risks," she said. "It requires you to say 'yes' over and over ... I think the world needs that."

Most of the people who come to a Vortex workshop love to sing and are looking for something new. Others used to sing but haven't done it for a long time, often because someone told them they shouldn't.

"One of our missions is to invite people to go back to their 'When did you stop singing?' moment; it's kind of a mantra for us," said Hensley who, with Swinger, offers workshops to teachers and students around reclaiming the power of raising one's — and one's community's — voice in song.

"People always leave the workshops really lifted and just wanting to sing," she said.

The concert that follows Sunday's Vortex workshop will offer prepared pieces ranging from McFerrin's arrangement of the 23rd Psalm to a reworked version of Doug Kershaw's "The Cajun Stripper." ImproVox has come up with its own lyrics for that saucy number, and the audience Sunday may come up with lyrics for one of the concert's improvised works. People will be invited to fill in slips that read "I am the one who ________," and the results will be used.

"Audience" is not quite the right word, said Hensley: "We're looking for more a fuller tribe."

In that spirit, Hensley said she and the other members of ImproVox would love to have more opportunities to share what they continue to find as nourishing as it is interesting.

"We all feel a real passion for bringing music to the front of culture," she said.

And while the Cider Barn will be filled with sound Sunday night, she added, "This is a work about deep listening ... it's almost more about silence than anything else."

For more information about ImproVox, visit improvox.com.

VillageSoup Art/Entertainment Editor Dagney Ernest can be reached at 207-594-4401 or by e-mail to dernest@villagesoup.com.

 

More Power of Music trivia - October 27, 2009

NEW scientific evidence proves listening to music you enjoy dilates your blood vessels and lowers your blood pressure. An email from our circle of singers writes, "Music makes us happy, it also induces cows to give more milk at milking time. Apparently, they love Mozart best. Aloisia" So, there ya go. Now we know how contented cows find contentment, by listening to Mozart! I wonder if that works for nursing mothers as well. If listening lowers blood pressure, singing must lower cholesterol!

ImproVox Storms the Frontier! - June 28, 2009

ImproVox performed a VORTEX/Concert at The Frontier Cafe in Brunswick on June 7. We were taken by surprise as 30 people attended the 90 minute mini-VORTEX before the concert. It was hard to squeeze them all in but we had a great time and even snuck into the beautiful art gallery next door for some haunting and holy toning in that wide, resonant room. The concert was even better attended and our months of working with 'Monsouir Baton", coach and ImproVox member, Matt Loosigian paid off.  Summer has finally arrived and we are scattered like dandy lion seeds across the country, but will continue offering singing events and mini-performances until we re-group in the Fall. Be well and KEEP SINGING!

New Perspectives on Singing - June 28, 2009

Deb and Martin attended the first of three master classes with Rhiannon and came out of the intensive week of improvisational exploration with a renewed commitment to creating more singing in our world. "All The Way In" taught us the importance of leading guided and intentional play when singing with others as well as the importance of singing without boundaries. It's all about letting passion, humor, love and even stress, rise and channel its healing energy through your own unique voice! We look forward to sharing our new skills and hope they make a difference for your singing enjoyment!

Speaking of NEW voices... - February 9, 2009

Congratulations go out to Deb as she rises to her new role of "Grammie 'BUG'" to a new grandson, Jonathan.
You can see pictures of Little Jonathan on Deb's Face Book account.

A NEW Voice rings out. - February 9, 2009

We are thrilled Matt Loosigian has joined ImproVox in the combined role of singer/coach. Matt is a longtime improvisational singer and graduate of Bowdoin College who directs children's and multi-generational choirs in Brunswick. We had the pleasure of meeting him, first at a VORTEX, then sang with him again when Referendum and ImproVox joined forces to become Hot Buttah for a performance at Battle of the Blends. Matt combines SO many talents in his young spirit. We are totally juiced about his energy, perspective and direction. Learn more about Matt and his work by visiting : www.earthjams.com info@earthjams.com

New Blood and Energy! - January 22, 2009

We are Thrilled to welcome Matt Loosigian into our ranks as both singer and coach. Matt brings a wealth of experience as a choir director to help us add a little spit polish to our performance work. He has a fabulous voice and years of experience improvising! 

Foothills Arts Center Vortex Pure Magic - November 13, 2008

Improvox was lucky enough to spend a whole afternoon with an exceptionally playful and heartfelt group of singers from around the state last Sunday. Gathered in the sun in a circle on the warm wood floor of Foothills Arts Center in Wilton, we made that special improvisational magic we all have come to love---for 4 delicious hours---moving, toning, harmonizing, storytelling and polyrhythm-ing! We sang together and the universe joined in.

Many thanks to each one who added their voice to the circle and to Anne Geller at Foothills Arts for hosting.

Reverence, joy and gratitude to all...

Vortex in Yarmouth a Sing for Spring a Joyful Event - March 28, 2008

Well, we didn't bring spring completely back, but we got the robins home anyway! 12 singers joined the circle of song in the beautiful art gallery space at 317 Main Street Community Music Center to sing for spring on a lovely Sunday afternoon. What a great group of willing and inventive singers! Watch for more information on upcoming Vocal Exploration "Vortex" workshops this summer...

Thanks to 317 for the great space.

Singing opportunities... - March 5, 2008

Just a brief reminder here that Kathy offers private vocal coaching to anyone interested - call her @ 846-7610. Also, that Martin is leading a vocal skinnydipping class via Augusta Adult Ed on Wednesdays in March beginning 3/12 (3/5 was cancelled due to ice, so there's still time to join without missing anything!) call Adult Ed @ 582-3774 for info.

Kingfield Workshop and House Concert - February 26, 2008

A thousand thanks to Judy Zink and her friend Barbara Nickerson for arranging and hosting a most wonderful ImproVox Workshop and House Concert in Kingfield this January. What a beautiful home. What a gorgeous view! What a fabulous collection of singers! It was all pure joy. Thank you Judy!!! Let's do it again soon!

A wonderful workshop and Concert - October 29, 2007

Grateful thanks to all who attended the "Vortex" Vocal Exploration Workshop in Yarmouth in the beautiful gallery of 317 Main Street Community Music Center. We are delighted with the many new voices we met and friends we made. We toned and harmonized, shared and scored, moved and mused, patterned and played and joyfully celebrated the holy fallout.

The evening "house" concert was a sweet and joyful sharing. Again, grateful thanks to all who came from far and wide.

Blessings on all new and old Improvoxers. Let's play again soon!

A Joyful Gathering over Memorial Day Weekend - June 8, 2007

Improvox was delighted to host a well attended local vocal "Vortex" over Memorial Day weekend in Rockland. A rich gathering of singers, many new to Improvox and vocal improvisation, joined voices in the beautiful upstairs gallery space of the Linclon Street Arts Center. Imagine our further delight when an insistent crow decided to set up a rhythmic jag from a tree by the window to signal our first circle song.

What a lovely group. To all who attended and entered the soul pool, jumping in fearlessly with both vocal chords, or just gliding softly in---thank you for coming...for your daring, your gusto, your beauty and for letting your voice be heard.

Improvox T-shirts - May 20, 2007

After our January visit to NYC, we determined we HAD to have BLACK T SHIRTS so now we DO! We Blend SO COOL with the BIG APPLE because we wear our BLACK "ImproVox: Artists in Resonance" T shirts everywhere - especially now that SUMMER has finally arrived!

YOU can be 'TOO COOL FOR COLOR' WITH US! Send $12 (check written to ImproVox) with your size and address to Martin Swinger 52 Green St. Augusta, ME 04330 and we'll get one on the mail to you immediately! ...OR, BETTER YET -- COME to a VORTEX and get one EVEN CHEAPER!!!!!

Hot Butter! - March 29, 2007

ImproVox recently had the fun of spending an evening 'jamming' with the fine singers of another of Maine's premier A Cappella groups, Referendum. Four voices blended in intricate harmony sounds tasty, but EIGHT voices sounds like.... Well, HOT BUTTER!! YUMMM!
So much fun, in fact, that the two groups have agreed to 'date' often just to see what they can cook up together. Keep your ears open for future events featuring "Hot Butter"

A New Round - January 30, 2007

ImproVox begins a NEW ROUND of rehearsals every week from February through May. We are very excited about our new-found commitment to work (and PLAY!) HARDER!
We find the more we work at Improvised music, the more there is to learn and explore! We are honored that our friends enjoy sharing our journey and we LOVE sharing the journey with our FRIENDS!

PLEASE JOIN US at an upcoming VORTEX and BRING MORE FRIENDS!!

ImproVox Sings The Apple! - January 15, 2007

ImproVox recently spent two, too-short days with one of our favorite teachers, Rhiannon, and 18 other like minded and fabulous singers in a GEORGEOUS loft in SoHo, Manhattan! We enjoyed a truly inspirational time learning, creating and sharing riffs, leads, complex rhythms, music theory and harmonic healing, and we can't wait to share it all with YOU at our next VORTEX! ImproVox was honored that our 'classmates' recognized our skills level and envied our opportunity to work together regularly. They have invited us back to NYC to share our games with them. We are hoping to return in July. Visit the Calendar for more details about VORTEX on the ISLANDS!

Great fun in Farmington - October 10, 2006

Improvox spent a deliciously colorful Saturday on October 7, singing with friends from Farmington and beyond in a 3 hour vocal "Vortex" workshop sponsored by The Western Maine Arts Institute. The workshop was attended by a host of strong, talented singers who enthsiastically shared in the magic of improvisational in-the moment-music.

Improvox extends heartfelt appreciation to all who supported our evening concert at U Maine Farmington's fabulous Nordica Auditorum. It was an honor to sing in such soulful space. Grateful thanks again to friends from the Western Maine Arts Institute for going "out of the box" with Improvox.

Singin' in the Rain - September 27, 2006

Improvox had a wonderful time at the Common Ground Fair last Saturday roving the grounds in the wild and wooly weather. We sang to the babies, danced with the children, included adventuresome vocalizers in our circle and shared spontaneous
"Presumptuous Jingles" with artists and craftspeople throughout the Folk Arts tents. It was a grand and blustery day calling forth much mirth and music. Thanks to all who joined us in rain and song.

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