Halcyon Relaunches First Stones 2022, Vocal Writing Intensive

Halcyon is relaunching First Stones 2022, its vocal writing intensive, coming up in July 2022. 

First Stones 2022 promises to be an unrivalled opportunity to discover more about the voice and its capabilities, something Halcyon has been living out in performance for almost twenty five years.  Additionally, it is a chance to explore the collaborative practice that has developed over many years between composer Elliott Gyger and Halcyon’s Artistic Director Jenny Duck-Chong and delve into the ways that composers and performers can shape each other’s work.

The Stage 1 weekend on July 10-11 is designed primarily for emerging Australian composers who want to hone their vocal writing skills. It will also be of great benefit to singers and teachers who want to learn more about contemporary writing for the voice and broaden their repertoire as well as those who are curious to know more about the classical voice and the music written for it.

For this weekend, Jenny will be joined by composer-educator Elliott Gyger and composer, APRA/AMCOS’ Art Music Specialist Cameron Lam and AMC’s Meeghan Oliver in presentations, discussions and Q&As and cellist James Larsen for a short live performance.

Presented in association with the Australian Music Centre

Halcyon’s experience has taught them that young composers get few opportunities to learn about writing for voice. They often know little about how the instrument works or its capabilities and they do not know the most important questions to ask. Many young singers too, know little about contemporary repertoire and who are intimidated by how to approach it. While the choral world has increasingly embraced contemporary compositions and commissions, solo singers are often far behind in their connection with the music and composers of their own time.

Additionally, opportunities for singing teachers to familiarise themselves with new works for their students are rare. It can be challenging to discover suitable repertoire. Alongside the much-needed new project she is now developing with soprano Nicole Thomson, the Australian Art Song Resource, this weekend will be an introduction to a range of contemporary vocal composers and their work.

THE WEEKEND

Saturday 9 July: Jenny Duck-Chong and Elliot Gyger/ Time: 11am-4pm/ Venue: Summer Hill Anglican Church

Sunday 10 July: Jenny Duck-Chong, Elliott Gyger and Cameron Lam. The day will also feature Jenny in a short performance with cellist James Larsen and a presentation by Meeghan Oliver from the Australian Music Centre.

Time: 12pm-4pm/ Venue: Annandale Community Arts Centre

 Cost: $30 per day or $50 for the weekend / Attend in person or via online streaming

The live stream sessions will also be available to ticketholders for 30 days after release.

TICKETS, full details and enquiries, clickhere.