Press Release Continues.

Sense of Sound is one of the most unique and inspirational companies in the UK today. Led by four female directors; Jennifer John, Saphena Aziz, Juliet Russell and Perri Alleyne-Hughes, the organisation aims to create and produce amazing ways to celebrate singing and the Voices Festival is no exception.

From hip hop to barbershop and contemporary jazz to choral, the Voices Festival will showcase the full (vocal) range of a cappella singing styles, giving plenty of opportunity for everyone to interact, get involved and get singing!   

On Friday 16 March, Sense of Sound will open the festival with a National Conference for Singing and Health.  Through a number of presentations from top vocal experts, the one day event will provide an opportunity to share best practice and discover the latest breakthroughs.  Perfect for health educators and researchers, speech therapists, vocal coaches, singers and anyone with an interest in singing or health, the conference will feature presentations from Nordoff Robbins Speech Therapist, Phoene Cave, Victoria Hume - Arts Manager at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, Dane Chalfin - A Director of the British Voice Association and one of the UK's leading professional vocal coaches and voice rehabilitation experts and Trish Vella-Burrows , Assistant Director  of the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Music, Arts & Health.

Saphena Aziz, Director at Sense of Sound said: ‘’I’m delighted to present this ground breaking conference as part of Liverpool’s decade of health and wellbeing.  A great number of discoveries have occurred in the past few years, showing that singing has a fantastic, positive effect on health. This conference will allow practitioners to come together to share ideas, allowing us all to learn and keep this exciting field of health and wellbeing moving forward. ’

The renowned Sense of Sound Singers and special guest star Connie Lush will pay homage to Joni Mitchell with an a cappella concert at the Black-E on the evening of Friday 16 March, with support from acclaimed group Barbieshop.

Described as one of the most influential recording artists of the 20^th Century, Joni Mitchell’s music has touched millions of people the world over. This poignant concert performance will offer an opportunity to see why, as Mitchell’s unforgettable songs including ‘Big Yellow Taxi,’ ‘Both Sides Now’ and ‘A Case of You’ are performed in  unique a cappella arrangements.

On Saturday 17 March, Choirs from around the region will have the chance to perform in the Bluecoat Hub. This free day of music offers an opportunity to enjoy the musical diversity of a cappella singing.  Members of the public are able to come along, enjoy the music and take part. More details on how choirs can get involved in this will be announced shortly.

Shlomo, the most heard beatboxer in history and Southbank Centre Artist in Residence, is set to play The Black-E on the evening of the 17 March.

Shlomo pushes the boundaries of beatboxing as an art form, using his incredible vocal skills to make music with people from all kinds of musical backgrounds, including Björk, Martha Wainwright, Damon Albarn and Jarvis Cocker. He comes to Liverpool to show off his huge range of original songs and well loved classics.

A FREE day of family fun will take place at the Bluecoat on Sunday 18 March. With interactive activities for all ages taking place throughout the day, this is any budding singer’s opportunity to take part in workshops covering many musical genres, with an a cappella twist.

The festival will end with a massive ‘Big Sing’, which will take place in the Bluecoat Hub on the afternoon of Sunday 18^th. Everyone is invited to come along and join in the fun!

The Voices Festival is produced by Sense of Sound and the Black-E, more information can be found at www.senseofsound.net.