I was so happy to host our first Song Share in ages — and this one felt extra special because was hybrid so it included singers both online and in the room.
What is a Song Share?
I’m sure I didn’t invent the term” song share” but for me this is what it means, (and what I’m offering when I offer a song share).
The song share is a chance for the singers who work with me to share whatever they’re working on with a group. It’s very relaxed and informal. I work with lots of people who are pushing themselves, maybe in terms of what they’re doing with their singing and maybe in terms of even singing at all. I work with plenty of people for whom singing in front of me is terrifying let alone singing in front of other people, who are probably strangers.
In the song share there is no need to “perform” (unless you want to). I have had singers sit on the floor. I’ve even had singers ask everyone to leave the room and then come back in when they’re ready. There’s no need to be perfect, and you can have a false start and start again.
The only people invited are people who are going to be brave and share something.
What sort of people share in the Song Share?
The people who work with me are all at different stages in their singing lives.
Some are completely new to music, perhaps having spent years thinking they can’t sing. Others know that they can sing but are terrified of public performance. Some are experienced performers and they use the song share as a chance to share something that’s new, different or a new challenge. The song share is a chance to do whatever feels like a challenge.
I’m not going to describe everyone’s songs and how it went but I will share that I am chuffed to bits with it all. Everyone blew me away (and this time I only cried once).
One of my really experienced singers shared this from her kitchen.
It’s “The Ballad of Jane Doe” from “Ride the Cyclone” and it’s a crazy sing. I’m seeing it in a few weeks time at the Southwark Playhouse and I haven’t listened beyond this song so I have no idea at all what to expect.
I am so happy as a teacher. I’m so happy to be a singing teacher. So proud to be privileged to work with the people I get to work with and to be a part of their journeys.
I wouldn’t dream of sharing the performances as that would make the sharing not a safe space but I will share the warm up that I did with the singers. It’s quite chaotic as it was my first time leading a hybrid warm up.
The warm up
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