SPIRIT OF VOICE
Africa goes Celtic! The SPIRIT OF VOICE Festival will also be the launching of a big scale "Voicing" project by Mfa kera..needing voices!
SPIRIT OF VOICE 07 IN BRIEF
Spirit of Voice provides a musical platform for new and established talent from around the world. And is a celebration of the changing cultural face of Ireland, The festival focuses on the VOICE .This event raises awareness of the level of cultural diversity that now exists in Galway
A colourful and stimulating display, this is a fresh, fun and growing event that is set to stay and paint a more modern face of Ireland for our citizens and the much needed tourist industry.
Full festival schedule and line ups can be viewed on our website
www.spiritofvoice.com.
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SPIRIT OF VOICE FESTIVAL
History
Spirit of Voice began in 2004 as a 1 day event at St Nicholas Church, Galway City. Featuring a concert of Choirs, Sean Nos singers, Poets, Rappers and Opera soloists. Funds were collected for the Laryngectomy cancer society. It proved to be a successful project encouraging continuation as an enjoyable annual event.
In 2005: The Spirit of Voice weekend developed its intercultural theme highlighting international voices and cultural diversity. Providing a platform for showcasing new vocal talent. A live festival DVD was produced which supported the Cystic Fibrosis Association. 2006: Spirit of Voice grew into a 5 day event, presenting 55 live acts in 11 venues, with Vocal workshops headlined by Sheila Chandra, (world music records) It received national media attention, both John Kelly (RTE lyric) and Derek Mooney (RTE 1) presenting interviews with artists involved. In 2007 Spirit of Voice will feature local and national acts to represent their cultural voice continuing its established theme as a major Irish festival for solo singers and spoken word artists
Intentions
Spirit of Voice focuses on world voice styles and presents quality international singers and spoken word artists working together in the same arena. The mixing of vocal genres accompanies each other to celebrate the harmonies of human sound. The intention is to stage an event that unites languages and cultural songs, describing audibly the traditional core that is derivative in all voices within music. A motto that inspires performers is One world, One voice. The main aim of this project is to encourage both young and old alike to utilise the power and beautiful tones that our vocal chords can deliver. To understand our natural voice is a talent we all share. Vibrant creative voice workshops are available to practice the required skills of singing and vocal expression. Recognition that the voice is a world tool, its spirit released in so many varieties, its subtle and glorious frequencies being a unique melodic instrument in today's continental society. Please applaud the hum
an voice.
2007 festival
We choose intimate venues to host the festival concerts, and although these settings only allow limited seating capacity, our sound experience shows that this environment enhances the natural acoustic of the human voice. This is of massive benefit for its audience to clearly hear the performers lyrics and words. Voices from around the globe will gather over 4 days to perform. Venues listed for evening entertainment include Western hotel The Crane bar, Aras na Gael, Rowing club, with the City library and Museum catering for afternoon children's performances.
Finance
The budget for Spirit of Voice relies heavily on successful arts grant funding; to help with accommodation food, travel expenses and artist fees, but with expanding costs involved promoting and producing a high quality festival this can exceed our overall economic plan. It is for this reason we ask for financial sponsorship support from local business, national companies and cultural associations to help keep this event alive. For us to maintain and deliver an interesting exciting line up of desired visiting and locally based artists we require assistance from art agencies and government bodies. Failte Ireland West, Galway County & City Arts, Development board and Galway City partnership recognise this event in previous yearsn
