NEWS - May 30 2012 - STILL PLACES ON SUMMER SINGING WALKS, WILD SWIM SING THING, SINGING SETTLE CARLISLE and DENT FOLK CAROLS WEEKEND.
And don't forget our concerts: Thursday June 7 Vesna Lukic and her Balkan Band Ethnodelia in concert at the Gregson Centre in Lancaster, 7.30pm. tickets £6 at the door.
and the Cerknica choir from Slovenia with Lakeland Voices and the Amble Singers in concert at the Ambleside Parish Centre on Tuesday July 10 - 7.30pm. tickets £7 at the door or from me.
Hello and a very warm welcome to you! Firstly, you might like to see some more photos of the places where we sing - and the singers who sing there in my Facebook photo albums.
Here as well are some details about our regular weekly harmony singing groups - and also one day, weekend and week-long singing holidays throughout the year - first in brief and then with more details. Everyone is welcome - even if you haven't sung much - or even at all! All our songs are learnt by ear (so you don't need to worry if you can't read music - and if you can, you might appreciate using a different side of your musical ability.)
Our groups start with body and voice warm-ups and easy rounds - followed by longer songs in 2, 3 and 4 part harmony. Free recordings, and emails with the words and background to the songs, are also available.
For accommodation we aim to suit all needs - ranging from wild camps in the Lake District, to single, twin and double en suite rooms in luxury holiday cottages in the old cobbled village of Dent. Our meals are prepared by the popular Lucia Marquart - as well as vegetarian and meat dishes, she caters for those on special diets such as wheat and dairy free food. Even our five year old daughter Anika helps with the singing of some of the songs.
There are links below to photos on Facebook, and videos on Youtube, of previous singing events:
In brief - Weekly singing groups in Kendal, Keswick and Ingleton:
Mondays: 7.30-9.30pm. Keswick Folk Chorale at Quaker Meeting House.
Tuesdays: 7.30-9.30pm. Kendal community choir Lakeland Voices at Castle Street Community Centre.
Thursdays: 7.30-9.30pm. Ingleton community choir The Ingle Tones at Wheatsheaf Inn.
Please book rather than just turn up.
In brief - Weeks, weekends and days:
JULY 6-8: WILD SWIM SING THING - with wild camp by tarn, and swims with singing in several different spots in the central Lake District. (B&B details and wet suits available for softies.) £85
AUGUST 11-18: SLOVENIA - comfortable accommodation, singing, outings, walks, meals, minibus, etc. £395
OCTOBER 5-7: SINGING SETTLE CARLISLE - Staying at Old School at Chapel le Dale opposite the Hill Inn. Workshops, music in advance & singing on the trains, in the stations & on walks through the wild Pennine fells. Also joining the Ingleton festival. £115
NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 2: DENT FOLK CAROLS FESTIVAL - concerts, workshops, ceilidh and singing walk with carols from near and far. Single, double, twin and en suite rooms. Vegetarian & meat meals. Book for individual sessions, whole weekend, with 2 nights basic, or 3 nights luxury, accommodation. £10-£140.
And More details - our weekly community choirs:
Lakeland Voices' Spring term starts again on Tuesdays in the Castle Street Community Centre, Kendal from September. We will be learning new songs, as well as singing ones we already know. Videos of the parts are available for free home study - as a well as a learning CD which can be purchased. Everyone is welcome - although it is expected that you can match a pitch (ie if I sing something, that you can sing the same thing back! Most people can do this.) The songs are taught by ear, we have a warm-up at the beginning, and we then sing rounds and songs in 2, 3 and 4 part harmony from the British Isles and around the world.
During the rest of June and July we have Summer Singing Walks throughout the Lake District - short walks with singing in magnificent places including waterfalls, vast lakeland caverns, woods and the open fell - and ending with a few more songs in a country pub (one or two of the walks are suitable for wheelchairs.) Half term break is Tuesday June 5.
Subscription for each term is £49 (a term is 10 weeks, though I usually add a few extra weeks) - those who don't wish to walk in the summer are welcome to pay £25 for the 5 weeks in Kendal in April and May. And there is a one off payment of £7 for those who can only come occasionally.
There are videos of me teaching the parts for many of the songs we sing at www.youtube.com/Lakelandvoices and photos of singers at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150552006859108.431363.619619107&type=3
THE INGLE TONES -Thursdays 7.30-9.30pm - harmony singing group in Ingleton (home of the excellent Ingleton folk festival n the English Yorkshire Dales) - we meet in the Wheatsheaf Inn in the village. All are welcome - though please book in advance - all songs learnt by ear, we will be singing primarily for our own pleasure, in a way which allows us to fully enjoy the harmonies we create. There will also be opportunities to perform if singers would like this. A subscription of £25 for the 5 week half term to is required. Please ring or email if you need more information.
KESWICK FOLK CHORALE - on Mondays, in the Quaker Meeting House from 7.30-9.30pm in Keswick (opposite Booths.) We will sing songs from around the world in 2, 3 and 4 part harmony - and enjoy summer singing walks from the end of May in the nearby countryside. There is a large free car park alongside the Quaker Meeting house and lift shares can be arranged. Singers are welcome to come just for the first night to see if they like it with no obligation to join the rest of the term. £25 for 5 week Spring term - or pay £7 for one off sessions.
Extra to the term is an evening learning songs with the Georgian women's choir Sathaneo visiting from Caucasian republic of Georgia on the evening of May 14 - the evening will be in the Borrowdale institute in Rosthwaite. See some photos of the beautiful Borrowdale valley nearby.
And on Monday May 1 in the Quaker Meeting house we will have a special evening learning songs from Slovenia - with a visit from 2 singers from Sedbergh's twin town in Slovenia.
AND ONE DAY, WEEKEND AND WEEK LONG SINGING EVENTS:
WILD SWIM SING THING - JULY 6-8 with a wild camp by a tarn and swims in several different outdoor places throughout the central Lake District including tarns, small lakes and rivers (we can also send details of local B&Bs and hotels and wetsuits for softies.) Singing will be round the fire (or inside large tent) - meals prepared. Walking from the camp to the other swimming venues with singing en route (and in Lakeland pubs.) Some songs sent in advance with recordings and written music. Singers will need outdoor walking clothes (ie walking boots, waterproofs, etc.) small tent (either carry it to the wild camp yourself - c. one hour very slow walk uphill - or hire local porter to take up and bring back your heavy bag.) Support vehicle, and lift shares can be arranged. £85
SINGING SETTLE CARLISLE - October 5-7 2012. Staying at Chapel le Dale opposite the Hill Inn, (between Ingleton and Ribblehead) - learning songs and then singing on the trains, in the stations and on walks through the wild Pennine fells. Also joining the Ingleton festival for singarounds and ceilidh. Music and recordings sent in advance. £115 includes train tickets.
Photos of Settle-Carlisle at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150471522639108.420875.619619107&type=3 and
DENT FOLK CAROLS FESTIVAL - November 30-December 2 2012 - concerts, workshops, ceilidh and singing walk with carols from near and far and from all ages, including Sheffield pub carols, mediaeval English carols, west gallery, old folk carols, Slovenian, Polish, American and Russian...and more. All meals cooked by Lucia Marquart and accommodation in single, double and twin rooms, some en suite. £10 individual workshops/ceilidh/walk. £59 weekend without meals or accommodation. £85 including meals but not accommodation. Everything including a choice of luxury accommodation in cosy Dent village cottage - most with the option of 3 nights: £115 - £140
See photos of Dent at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150513318474108.425109.619619107&type=3
See videos of previous singing events on our video channel: www.youtube.com/Davidburbidge
COMING EVENTS
And later in August 2012 I am leading a week of harmony singing in Zrece, Slovenia with the options of either staying in a local tourist farm - or camping in the woods besides my woodland cabin. Transport in Slovenia provided - plus walks, concerts, meeting local singers etc. Cheap flights with Easyjet to Ljubljana from Stanstead.)
For all details click on our "Events" section on the right of this page.
Welcome - we hope your visit to the Lakeland Voice website is useful and inspiring.
Here you can find out about natural voice and harmony singing workshops based in South Lakeland in the North of England for groups and individuals.
The work is led by David Burbidge (pictured here leading an outdoor workshop in the Little Langdale valley) with guest teachers from around the world.
What is the Natural Voice?
We use the term 'natural voice' here to show that we express certain core beliefs in our way of working. These include that:
a) Singing is our birthright and should be accessible to everyone, whatever their musical training or experience.
b) The voice has its roots in the body and through releasing the breath and unnecessary tensions a more pleasurable experience of singing can be had as well as a richer and more authentic sound.
c) Harmony singing is a celebration of community and difference where the empowerment of the different parts creates a richer whole than when everyone is the same
d) And that musical terminology should be expressed in user friendly terms or explained sufficiently so as not to confuse or alienate those who sing naturally.
For all details click on our "Events" section on the right of this page.
Welcome - we hope your visit to the Lakeland Voice website is useful and inspiring.
Here you can find out about natural voice and harmony singing workshops based in South Lakeland in the North of England for groups and individuals.The work is led by David Burbidge (pictured here leading an outdoor workshop in the Little Langdale valley) with guest teachers from around the world.
What is the Natural Voice?
We use the term 'natural voice' here to show that we express certain core beliefs in our way of working. These include that:
a) Singing is our birthright and should be accessible to everyone, whatever their musical training or experience.
b) The voice has its roots in the body and through releasing the breath and unnecessary tensions a more pleasurable experience of singing can be had as well as a richer and more authentic sound.
c) Harmony singing is a celebration of community and difference where the empowerment of the different parts creates a richer whole than when everyone is the same
d) And that musical terminology should be expressed in user friendly terms or explained sufficiently so as not to confuse or alienate those who sing naturally.
Lakeland Songlines
Many of these workshops use the beautiful landscape in our area especially during our short, singing walks when we take our songs out into the landscape, singing by waterfalls and rivers, in
caves, woods and fellside chapels and round the open fires of country inns.
Video of Lakeland Voice singers and Old Foster in a Dentdale wood
Some involve longer tours and will require more fitness such as 'The Hills are Alive' long Whitsun weekend with camping in the mountains of the central Lake District and 'The Singing Cyclists' tours.
Workshop Venues
Our workshops are mostly based in Sedbergh and Dent, small communities in an area overlapped by South Lakeland District and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The area includes the beautiful, rounded hills of the Howgill Fells with the spectacular Cautley Spout waterfall, and the serenity of the wooded valleys with their ancient churches and cobbled villages.
We use comfortable village halls for our workshops, as well as my old stone cottage where the river Clough flows outside the window providing its unique accompaniment to our singing. Where possible we sing round open fire with informal singing sessions in remote country inns, and singing fireside suppers under the old oak beams of Dent's Stone Close cafe.
For our residential weekend and week long retreats we hire old country cottages, and self catering hostels and country mansions in spectacular settings. We are often able to provide single, double and twin rooms. These venues range from Dentdale, Sedbergh and the Lake District to as far away as the Scottish island of Jura and our twin town Zrece in the Slovenian mountains.
Some of our workshops - on weekends or summer evenings - include singing walks using local caves, waterfalls and magnificent mountain scenery for a different acoustic and as a setting for our singing. These have included Cathedral Cavern in Little Langdale, Rydal Caves near Ambleside, Yordas cave near Ingleton, Tarn Hows, Martindale, Raisgill stone circle and 'Long Meg and her Daughters', through the Elysian Shades beech woods and the rapids of the Dee near Sedbergh, and singing cruises across the lakes at Coniston and Ulswater.
Our workshops in other parts of the country include mansions overlooking the sea on a Scottish island and a smugglers' cove in Cornwall.
What Do We Sing?
Songs are mostly drawn from cultures where people sing as naturally as they talk - especially Africa, Georgia and the Balkans. Songs in English are drawn from the American Shape note and British folk traditions as well as some jazz and sacred music.
As we teach mostly by ear - though sometimes accompanied by written music as an aide memoire - our songs tend to come from cultures where music is passed on from one generation to the next by ear, as opposed to the complexities of written music found in Western classical music. We include rounds and simple harmony arrangements as well as two, three and four part harmonies.
Many of these workshops use the beautiful landscape in our area especially during our short, singing walks when we take our songs out into the landscape, singing by waterfalls and rivers, in
caves, woods and fellside chapels and round the open fires of country inns.
Video of Lakeland Voice singers and Old Foster in a Dentdale wood
Some involve longer tours and will require more fitness such as 'The Hills are Alive' long Whitsun weekend with camping in the mountains of the central Lake District and 'The Singing Cyclists' tours.
Workshop Venues
Our workshops are mostly based in Sedbergh and Dent, small communities in an area overlapped by South Lakeland District and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The area includes the beautiful, rounded hills of the Howgill Fells with the spectacular Cautley Spout waterfall, and the serenity of the wooded valleys with their ancient churches and cobbled villages.
We use comfortable village halls for our workshops, as well as my old stone cottage where the river Clough flows outside the window providing its unique accompaniment to our singing. Where possible we sing round open fire with informal singing sessions in remote country inns, and singing fireside suppers under the old oak beams of Dent's Stone Close cafe.
For our residential weekend and week long retreats we hire old country cottages, and self catering hostels and country mansions in spectacular settings. We are often able to provide single, double and twin rooms. These venues range from Dentdale, Sedbergh and the Lake District to as far away as the Scottish island of Jura and our twin town Zrece in the Slovenian mountains.
Some of our workshops - on weekends or summer evenings - include singing walks using local caves, waterfalls and magnificent mountain scenery for a different acoustic and as a setting for our singing. These have included Cathedral Cavern in Little Langdale, Rydal Caves near Ambleside, Yordas cave near Ingleton, Tarn Hows, Martindale, Raisgill stone circle and 'Long Meg and her Daughters', through the Elysian Shades beech woods and the rapids of the Dee near Sedbergh, and singing cruises across the lakes at Coniston and Ulswater.Our workshops in other parts of the country include mansions overlooking the sea on a Scottish island and a smugglers' cove in Cornwall.
What Do We Sing?
Songs are mostly drawn from cultures where people sing as naturally as they talk - especially Africa, Georgia and the Balkans. Songs in English are drawn from the American Shape note and British folk traditions as well as some jazz and sacred music.
As we teach mostly by ear - though sometimes accompanied by written music as an aide memoire - our songs tend to come from cultures where music is passed on from one generation to the next by ear, as opposed to the complexities of written music found in Western classical music. We include rounds and simple harmony arrangements as well as two, three and four part harmonies.
