Rehearsal Plan
Requirements:
Preliminary experience with singing in choirs or groups,
reading and studying independently at home,
a desire to improvise ... and much curiosity!
The polyphonic choir Ancore d’Aria is a project developing in Milan and Locarno.
Over the last few years the choir has moved deeper into improvisation. Its approach is inspired by Voicestra, a group lead by McFerrin that has rediscovered one of the most joyful and ancient ways of singing and improvising as a group.
In addition to improv-rituals, the rehearsals offer delightful exercises to equip participants with useful points of reference for orientation within an improvisation, as well as exercises to develop the art of the solo and the art of listening. Apart from improvising we work on a unique repertoire, consisting of songs by Bobby McFerrin, Manu Dibango, Jan Garbarek, Zap Mama... and original compositions by Oskar Boldre. Characteristic for both the repertoire and the approach is the exclusive use of the voice as an instrument, uninhibited by languages, balancing spirituality and humor by singing together. In the songs we encounter polyrhythms, uneven rhythms, and dissonance... The structure often allows for solo-insertions and improvisations. Oskar Boldre arranges all the pieces to obtain an organic flow.
In each rehearsal we focus on no more than 2-3 songs. Sheet music and very useful CDs (to learn the different voice sections, which are individually recorded) for the whole repertoire will be distributed for the indispensable study at home. With a particular method involving the body, every meeting also deepens the learning of uneven and other particular rhythms.
To maintain the high quality of the choir, the number of participants is limited to 20. Therefore it is important to register for each rehearsal (see registration dates). Once registered you will receive the learning materials with a detailed practice-plan for your study at home and in the group.
Download the current rehearsal plan (in Italian) here [200 KB]
