A SINGING WORKSHOP with ARTISAN-- England's Premiere Vocal Harmony Trio

Saturday , October 30, 2004
11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Location: Elderly Instruments
workshop ($50)

The bee's knees? We do know that England's top-notch a cappella trio Artisan is among the very best in the business--not only with their beseeching performances but also in the business of teaching others to sing--comfortably, while having a good time, and in harmony. Thus we're thrilled that Artisan is offering a three-and-a-half hour singing workshop at Elderly late this month.

Called "VOCAL SURVIVAL and SINGING IN HARMONY," this long-popular workshop presented by Artisan [Brian Bedford, Jacey Bedford, and Hillary Spencer] welcomes everyone from "complete beginners" to experienced vocalists. It is NOT--repeat NOT--necessary that you read music to attend. The workshop begins with how to use your voice to best advantage by improving your breathing, and location and projection techniques. From that point, you'll start singing together in harmony, beginning with Artisan's expertise in helping you develop an ear for harmony, improvisation, and simple rounds. At some point--either before or after what Artisan describes as working together on a "fiendishly difficult round"--you'll get a 30-minute break to relax, catch your breath, and wet your whistle. You'll then graduate to part-singing and, following part-singing practice, the whole group will sing together in three-part harmony. Lyric sheets will be provided to all participants.

Referring to themselves as "harmonists," the Yorkshire trio has sung together for twenty years and has recorded numerous excellent a cappella albums. Praise for their work is prolific.
"Urgent and uninhibited three part harmony--joyful and vigorous," wrote The Daily Telegraph (U.K.). "The harmony work is sharp and unfussy,...the tunes are good and the group convey a real energy and enthusiasm in their singing," reported Nick Beale of England's Folk Roots. "And, as always, the harmonies...are as wonderfully tuneful and rhythmic as any to be found on the folk scene today," opined Dirty Linen.

This opportunity to learn from the best couldn't have come at a
better time. During the last two years, Greater Lansing has become a veritable songfest. The annual two-day Mid-Winter Singing Festival each February, The Ten Pound Fiddle's bi-annual Singing Nights, recently-instituted first-Monday-of-the-month community sings at East Lansing's U.U.C., and other area singing events have led us to capitalize the "S" in LanSing. The uplifting tradition of community singing is alive, healthy, and growing.

Working their way to Michigan from the East Coast through Saratoga Springs, New, York (where they're presenting their successful workshop at Caffe Lena), Artisan will perform at The Ten Pound Fiddle (East Lansing's Unitarian Universalist Church) on Friday evening, the 29th, at 8 p.m. before visitng Elderly on Saturday the 30th for the workshop.

Children are welcome to sign up for the workshop. We ask that children aged 12 and under be accompanied by a participating adult. The cost is the same for all attendees regardless of age.

Workshop space is limited, so sign up soon. Call (517)372-7880 or (toll-free)888-473-5810, or stop in and check out Artisan's CDs.

Check out recordings we carry featuring Artisan