Music Workshop a Success

Music Workshop a Success

Sun, 18 Jun 2006

Over a bank holiday weekend in May, a series of events were held marking a visit to the Isle of Man by American singer-songwriter Ashley Davis. Originally hailing from Kansas, Ashley has studied and worked as a singer in Nashville, Ireland, Las Vegas and is now based in New York. Ashley began her visit by leading two music workshops for the Manx Heritage Foundation, and concluded with a solo recital at Clinch's Celtic Tavern. The first workshop at the Music Centre [Department of Education] was entitled 'Traditional Singing Techniques' and Ashley began by advising participants on the secrets of confident singing, illustrated with exercises in relaxation, breathing and posture. She then spoke of using particular vocal techniques to suit traditional songs, and the group experimented with a Gaelic 'keening' song from Ireland, followed by several songs from other folk traditions. The following day, Ashley led a workshop on 'Traditional Song Writing Skills', where she discussed the possibilities of employing old melodies or lyrics in the writing of new songs. She also spoke about interpreting old songs in new ways and illustrated with musical examples, including her own interpretation of the Manx melody 'Arrane Oie Vie' which she had first learnt from Emma Christian's album 'Beneath the Twilight'. Ashley then conducted several exercises in free writing and focused imaging, where individual participants transformed personal memories into words and phrases. Gathering everyone's ideas together to form a set of lyrics, the whole group then composed a new song called 'Happy to be Lost' sung to a Scottish melody (which was debuted the next evening at Ashley's recital). Participants included school pupils, teachers, amateur and professional singers, and all found Ashley's workshops very inspiring. While she was visiting, Ashley was very keen to find out more about Manx music and hoped to take songs home to perform in the USA. Between the workshops, she met and spoke with Manx musicians and heard traditional singing and instrumental music at the 'Bwoie Doal' music session at The Whitehouse in Peel. She made some field recordings of live Manx music, gave interviews about her visit on Manx Radio and also managed to fit in some sight-seeing. Back home, Ashley intends to promote the Isle of Man as much as possible. With links to NYC and other universities in the USA, she plans to include Manx music in her lectures and workshops, and within her own performance repertoire. Sponsored by the Manx Heritage Foundation, Ashley's visit was organised by its Manx Music Specialist, Chloë Woolley. Thanks also to the Department of Education, Clinch's Celtic Tavern and Breesha Maddrell at the Centre for Manx Studies. To be informed about future Manx Heritage Foundation workshops, please contact Chloë at: manxmusicspecialist@mhf.org.im or tel. 811144/404455. For further details about Ashley Davis, see her website: www.daisyrings.com

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