Mindful singing
Course Code: MF664
Duration: 8 sessions (over 8 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This special course will help you to combine breathing exercises, vocal technique, relaxation and simple movement to equip you to cope with performance anxiety. Explore how the psyche affects how we relate to singing.
What will we cover?
- exercises for awareness of self and concentration
- exercises for breathing
- seated exercises to prepare mentally for singing
- breathing and singing exercises
- group discussion of sensations experienced
- practical singing (songs) with an accompanist and other vocalized activities.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- demonstrate increased awareness of the field of mindfulness and how it can relate to singing
- choose several exercises/techniques that you explored on this course and incorporate them into your own singing practice
- show sufficient awareness of mindfulness to be able to continue exploring this topic through your practice.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The ability to sing in tune and in time is essential. Singers of any level are welcome. Enthusiasm and discipline will be of advantage.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Prepare a song which you can sing at the beginning of the course, please bring sheet music or a chord chart.
Repertoire for later in the course will be negotiated with your tutor.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please wear comfortable clothing.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course is a supplement to any of the singing courses and choirs.
If you are new to City Lit singing classes, please take a moment to read our blog: Choosing a singing class at City lit which lists our full sequence of singing classes. You could also book one of our advice sessions where we can hear you sing and help you choose the right course. Please bring a piece to sing with simple piano accompaniment.
Clare Foster is a vocalist, lyricist, composer and educator. Born in England, she has studied and worked in New York, Holland, Canada, England and in many countries in Europe and Asia. She has taught at the City Lit for over twenty years, and has also taught at Morley College, Trinity College of Music and in a Finnish conservatoire. In 2017 Clare trained on a Bangor University course to teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MSBR). She uses many of these techniques in her current classes and has designed a mindfulness course tailored to singers. Her interests lie in how the psyche impacts on the voice. She specialises in Jazz and Brazilian music repertoire and vocal approach and also teaches on a one-to-one basis in London.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
