tag:voicecirclecolorado.com,2005:/blogs/from-the-circleFrom the Circle2023-10-16T08:58:36-06:00Voice Circle Coloradofalsetag:voicecirclecolorado.com,2005:Post/64077862020-08-12T10:29:42-06:002020-08-12T10:30:51-06:00Nourishment<p>I'm writing this after my fourth singing gathering via Zoom today (Monday evening). So, including my morning practice, and goofing around in my studio after dinner, I think I maybe logged 7-8 hours of singing today. </p>
<p>And I feel... High as a kite. Energized. Calm. Happy. Positive. Peaceful. </p>
<p>I decided recently that my day should always start with singing. So lately, it looks something like this: Get out of bed, maybe make some coffee, then go straight to the studio. Start with some long tones, some vocal warmups, some chanting, maybe some technique drills, some looper practice, some free improvisation. I let the music take me. I surrender to the song before I start trying to direct my day. </p>
<p>What I'm finding is that even a few minutes of some type of singing practice sets a positive tone (pun intended) for the rest of the day. The more I do, the better I feel, the smoother the day seems to flow. </p>
<p>Contrast that to the days when I wake up and immediately check my phone, log on to facebook, check the news, etc. I do still have those days, and those days tend to have a decidedly different tone, and usually not a pleasant one. </p>
<p>On the days that start off singing, I still eventually check my phone, log in to facebook, check the news, etc., but somehow it doesn't effect me the same way. Somehow it's easier for me to reflect, evaluate, even respond, and not fall into the abyss of despair. </p>
<p>It's been a powerful illustration about self-care. How making it a priority to nourish myself first really makes a difference in how my day unfolds, in how I deal with life. </p>
<p>And daily practice aside, the thing I'm finding most nourishing these days is singing with other people online. Granted, this past spring, when everything had to move online, I was disappointed, even depressed, grieving what seem like a huge loss. </p>
<p>But I've since come to understand that it's merely a shift. I've found that the energetic connection is still powerful, even when we can't be singing in the same room. And I'm more and more grateful every day that we have the platforms and the technology to connect and sing together, literally across the globe. </p>
<p>So what's my point? Only to say this: The music is still alive. The connection is still real. The results are still palpable. I truly encourage you to keep singing. It's powerful nourishment for the body and soul. </p>
<p>Love & Harmony, <br>Roy</p>Voice Circle Coloradotag:voicecirclecolorado.com,2005:Post/64078052020-05-20T10:40:00-06:002023-10-16T08:58:36-06:00What we can do... <p>It's been a while since I've checked in with everyone. How are you? </p>
<p>I'm sure by now you've probably heard that it's going to be a while before we can safely sing together in person. There's certainly no shortage of information letting us singers know what we can't do. </p>
<p>I've chosen to focus on what we CAN do. </p>
<p>I've spent most of my time these past weeks learning, researching, upgrading tech, meeting with other song leaders, developing techniques, and creating activities for singing and interacting in a virtual setting. It's been an exploration, and a steep learning curve, for sure; But, together we're discovering a lot of fun, rewarding, healing ways to sing and even improvise together online. </p>
<p>Our weekly Choir Singalongs and Singing Meditations are drawing a regular following, (from around the world, actually), and I've been getting great feedback from the participants. The Singing Meditation practices, in particular, really seem to be resonating with people. </p>
<p>This coming Saturday, for the first time, we'll meet online for Circle Singing at our usual time. I'll create and lead multi-part songs live, and we'll play some interactive improv games as well. (See below for more details.) </p>
<p>I'm also hosting two community gatherings and brainstorming sessions, open to all of you, for us to connect, check in, and discuss ideas for how we move forward. I'd love to see you... I miss you all. </p>
<p>In short, we're going to get through this. The sweet day will come when we can stand shoulder-to-shoulder and sing, And in the meantime we CAN still gather, sing, and stay connected in community. I hope to see you there... </p>
<p>Love & Harmony, <br>Roy</p>Voice Circle Coloradotag:voicecirclecolorado.com,2005:Post/64078062020-03-19T10:40:00-06:002022-02-16T22:05:48-07:00Connection at a distance<p>I won't lie to you. This past week hasn't been easy for me. After being at a deeply moving workshop with my mentor, Rhiannon, learning so many new things to share with all of you, flying back into this surreal state of affairs through me for a loop. </p>
<p>As someone whose mission revolves around face-to-face connection, the concept of "distancing" has had me spiraling through the stages of grief — Shock, Denial, Pain, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance, (rinse, repeat). </p>
<p>Still, I'm hopeful. My focus now is to land in Acceptance, or at least spend more of my time there, and to figure out ways to help our community to the same. </p>
<p>We know that physical distancing is crucial right now to help slow the spread of this virus. We also know that stress/anxiety/fear can be a drain on our body's immune response. </p>
<p>And we know, scientifically, that social connection and friendly, face-to-face interaction helps down-regulate our fear response. Likewise, we know that singing, among other things, is a powerful way to up-regulate the body chemistry that promotes physical and mental wellbeing. </p>
<p>So how can we connect in this time of physical distancing? How can we sing together, how can we stay in a positive mindset? I've been working with other singers and song leaders to figure out the details, the best practices, the best ways to connect with each remotely with music. </p>
<p>To that end, Here are some things I'll be offering in the days/weeks ahead include: </p>
<p>• Virtual Choir Singalongs via Zoom <br>• Singing Meditations via Facebook Live <br>• Collaborating via apps such as Acapella and Loopy HD for games of "Improv Tag." </p>
<p>I have also started a Facebook Group for Voice Circle Colorado. If you're on Facebook, I encourage you to join that facebook group. (Note, this is different than the Circle Singing Denver Facebook page.) This group is where any Facebook Live events I present will happen; If you join this group, you'll get notifications when they do. I will also use this group to post announcements about other virtual singing events that I hear about. </p>
<p><a contents="Click here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/VoiceCircleColorado/" target="_blank">Click here</a> to join the Voice Circle Colorado Facebook Group </p>
<p>Also, if you haven't already, become a member of the Voice Circle Colorado Meetup page. All public events will be posted there as well. </p>
<p>Above all else, PLEASE KEEP SINGING. Sing along with the radio. Sing with your family. Sing to yourself. Sing to your pets. Singing has kept me sane these past few days. It's what has allowed me to shift from shock, to acceptance, and even into gratitude and hope. </p>
<p>This too shall pass, and my hope is that this experience will help us realize as a society what is truly important in our world. I'm holding on to the vision that we will emerge from this trial stronger, kinder, more empathetic, and more connected as a society. </p>
<p>Much Love and Harmony to all of you... </p>
<p>Roy</p>Voice Circle Coloradotag:voicecirclecolorado.com,2005:Post/64081692020-02-14T16:40:00-07:002020-08-12T16:39:37-06:00The Sound of Love<p>A few years back, for Valentine's Day, I bought my Sweetie and myself a matching set of "Love Tuners." You've probably seen it hanging around my neck, (and you might've even seen me use it from time to time to check a pitch). It's a small, whistle-like instrument, tuned to the frequency of exactly 528 Hertz, which many believe to be the frequency at which Love itself vibrates. </p>
<p>The idea is, you play the tone repeatedly as a meditation, which sends the frequency of Love vibrating through your body, promoting calm, wellbeing, and (according to some), even healing the structure of your DNA. (There's quite a bit about the 528 Hz frequency on the internet if you're interested.) </p>
<p>Is 528 Hz really the sound of love? I don't know. But I do believe Love has a vibration, and I believe that Love's vibration exists within music. I know I feel it whenever music sends chills of joy through my body. I feel it whenever we're singing together and the harmony we're creating brings tears to my eyes. I feel it whenever we're inventing music together and our voices and minds seem to connect in the act of creation. </p>
<p>I believe music — and its vibration of Love — is most powerful when we're creating it together. I believe it connects us, bridging our apparent differences, making those differences seem insignificant. I believe music has the power to unite us, and that's what keeps me coming back for more. </p>
<p>Wishing all of you a Happy Love Day... </p>
<p>Peace & Harmony, <br>Roy </p>Voice Circle Colorado