What is a Song Circle? The Song Circle format is a way for people to experience the plethora of joys and benefits of community singing in a less formal way than the traditional choral setting. It’s different from a choir in that there’s no reading sheet music, no home practice necessary, and there’s no performance. The emphasis is on connecting with ourselves and each other via the sound and good vibes we create together. The songs that are taught are simple, easy to learn and memorize in the moment, and then all sung together, with layering harmonies and different parts. No previous singing experience is necessary. The Song Circle is a powerful way to explore outside of societal ideas that only certain people can sing, to claim singing as everyone’s birthright, and to practice stepping into opening your voice within a supportive group container with an experienced facilitator. Wendy Nixon Stothert, B.Ed., M.Ed.L, has been teaching music for 35 years as a private teacher, within the school system, and within the community choir context. While she is known for her music directing work with 6 choirs in the Comox Valley, she is a committed lifelong learner and has been thrilled to learn about more about leading Song Circles and Collaborative Vocal Improvisation in the last few years. Wendy has found that these forms have opened up opportunities for more and different types of people to experience group singing. Wendy’s Resonation Song Circles, include vocal warm-ups and basic technique instruction, the teaching of songs that are curated to celebrate connection to self, each other, and nature, and a little exploratory vocal improv play.
