Events

Big Voice

Saturday 10 September 2005

Big Voice is the centrepiece of this year’s ArtsFest celebrations and one of the highlights of the City’s Urban Fusion programme. It is a unique project celebrating Birmingham and the region’s vibrant singing culture. Up to 1000 singers, from choirs, music and singing groups from across the region, will process at dusk along streets and canals into the heart of the city centre, where the event will culminate in a the spectacular sound of 1000 voices singing in unison in Centenary Square.

Each Big Voice procession will sing Hanacpachap cussicuinin (pronounced hanak-pachap koosi-queenin), a 17th Century Latin American processional hymn. It is a perfect vehicle for Big Voice: a powerful and simple four-part harmony, summoning up colourful images of silver and gold, of life without end, of ritual and magic. Its beauty as a processional piece is its simple rhythm, making it easy to learn and to adapt to different musical styles and we hope that each processional route into the city will
have a different flavour – whether its gospel, religious, traditional or contemporary.

How can I/we get involved?

Big Voice needs 1000 singers to take part: to show off to the city our great musical heritage. We want all individuals and groups – from early music and traditional choirs through to gospel and hip-hop performers – representing the widest range of musical styles and traditions of the city to get involved.

If you or your singing group would like to get involved we will send you a copy of the music and suggest that you hold one or two rehearsals before the performance day. For most groups these rehearsals will take place in early September and could easily fit into your existing rehearsal schedule. If you wish professional Vocal Tutors can also be made available to your group free of charge to attend your rehearsal in order to guide you through Hanacpachap cussicuinin. Or if you want to take part as an individual you can also come along and learn it on the day at special Big Voice rehearsals in The Council House.

And children can also get involved in The Little Voice, a singing procession taking place around Centenary Square and Broad Street on Sunday 11 September.

Get in touch now to find out more on how to get involved by calling Sharon Foster on 0121 464 5678 or email urban_fusion@birmingham.gov.uk

Big Voice is led by an artistic team from three of Birmingham’s internationally renowned choirs: Ex Cathedra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus and the City of Birmingham Young Voices. Other participating groups and choirs are Notorious, City of Birmingham Choir, SAMPAD and Birmingham Opera Company.