Warm-ups for all reasons and seasons

Format LEARN

Subformat workshop (90-150 min.)

Interests conducting - teaching

Day & time Saturday 9.30hrs

Location Bibliotheek Neude

This is a workshop of 2,5 hours, in three parts: vocal warm-ups, physical warm-ups, and ‘social’ warm-ups. In this active joint workshop, three specialists come together to share their experiences and best exercises. In addition to participating in the exercises, participants will be guided to reflect on the intentionality of planning the warm-up. Why are certain exercises more effective than others? What are the specific goals, how do you assess? And, how can you make the best use of your limited time, allowing the exercises to also serve the repertoire?

Vocal and physical warm-ups sound straightforward, but they require a lot of technical know-how. The ‘social’ warm-ups could also be called ‘bonding’ warm-ups, as they focus on group cohesion (important for those who lead project choirs). How do you turn your group of individual singers into a cohesive ensemble?

The session is led by Sofia Gioldasi (physical), Cara Tasher (vocal), and Merlijn Twaalfhoven (social).

About the session leaders

Sofia Gioldasi

Sofia Gioldasi (Greece) studied choral conducting at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. For the last 10 years she has been working with children and young singers, specializing in the intertwinement of choral singing, body movement and stage action.

Merlijn Twaalfhoven

Merlijn Twaalfhoven is a creative researcher of complex social problems. He designed many unconventional music and theatre projects, worked in conflict areas and refugee camps and is founder of The Turn Club, a collaboration of art professionals and bridge builders who approach social issues with an artist’s mindset.

Cara Tasher

Dr. Cara Tasher (United States) has served as director of choral Studies at The University of North Florida since 2006. She often collaborates as director huésped of the professional 60-voice Coro del Teatro de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. She has won various awards, for instance the Outstanding International Leadership Award and a faculty grant for the Jacksonville SINGS! Refugee Chorus.