Retreats
CVI: Same Landscape, Different Perspectives
a weekend retreat with Briony Greenhill and Guillermo Rozenthuler
Friday, 5 July 2024, 14:00 - Sunday, 7 July 2024, 15:30
Embercombe, Exeter, EX6 7QS United Kingdom
APPLY HERE
Hello dear singers with previous experience in Vocal Improvisation,
This weekend is for you. The aims are to develop everyone’s personal and ensemble practice and to grow as vocal improvisers, through a process of singing together, in-the-moment coaching and sharing.
We are coming alongside each other for the first time (at least, the first time since we co-created the London Vocal Improv Collective in 2011!), hoping to offer a broader and more diverse panorama of the possibilities of vocal improvisation to our expanding community of singers.
Together, we’ll draw from our years of personal and shared experience, introduce new ways in, hold space for new explorations and paths to deepen the practice of the forms learned before.
You will have a chance to sing in many configurations of CVI and receive encouraging feedback and ideas from both of us individually. We want the weekend to be an invitation for everyone to become more rounded, versatile and confident as a vocal improviser.
A time to unwind, nourish, exchange music, joy and energy. A time to share our love for this amazing and transformative artform, singing together in as many ways as possible.
We’ll gather at Embercombe, Devon, UK. A gorgeous eco retreat centre with two great singing spaces, a pond, a stone circle, and forest. We’ll eat healthy vegetarian food prepared for us by Embercombe’s chefs, and stay in yurts in 2s or 3s.
We’re aiming for a group of about 20-25 singers; which we’ll frequently break down into smaller groups to support different constellations of singers.
Apply
This is a gathering for experienced Vocal Improvisers who have already worked quite a bit with Briony or Guillermo or someone similar. If you are new to this work, there are other courses for you - visit Briony and Guillermo’s websites and look for introductory courses.
To apply, initially please complete this application form:
The Cost
Is set at three tiers using the Green Bottle tool for economic justice.
Tier 1: £630
Tier 2: £530
Tier 3: £430
Samos Collaborative Vocal Improvisation and Circlesinging Retreat
Marnei Mare, Samos, Greece
24 - 30 May 2024
Some of you have already been to Marnei Mare. This incredible venue has the luxury of uninterrupted 360 degree views from ocean to mountains, total silence with no cars or aeroplanes nearby and the soothing, rugged beauty of the grounds and private beach. The peaceful setting, as well as the delicious, simple food and beautiful, airy accommodation makes it one of my favourite places.
This is a nourishing singing retreat for a small group of singers, with an emphasis in vocal improvisation and circlesinging. Rooms are double (and a couple of triples, so it's shared accommodation with a fellow participant, unless you want to come along with a friend or partner.) You can also have a single room paying a supplement.
Here is Marnei Mare’s website. The plan for the week is to have a lot of free time in the middle of each day to swim, explore, rest and connect, and two long singing sessions per day - one in the morning, the other one around sunset, plus a session of gentle yoga-meditation. Circlesinging, some collaborative vocal improvisation (CVI), sounding, chanting, play…
The rough costs (accommodation + food (full breakfast and dinner) + tuition are £1200 . There are flights from London with Aegean (via Athens) leaving on May 23 for around £350, and direct with Tui for around £500.
I’m gathering a small group of singers who have had some -or a lot of - experience of vocal improvisation and circlesinging. I hope that you feel inspired to join... and feel free to circulate to others who might be interested as well...
For booking enquiries you can contact me (retreat programme) or Kira Balaskas (logistics, travel dietary needs).