Aberystwyth choral workshop concludes Codi Côr programme

In May, we hosted the final workshop in our Codi Côr artist development pathway, designed to support the creation of new, distinctive work for community choir under the mentorship of composer Nathan James Dearden. 

Five music-creators- Hannah Paloma, Rhys Cook, Lowri Mair Jones, Sarah Zyborska and Yasmine Latkowski - developed a diverse range of new works, each bringing a unique perspective shaped by their own established music practices. Their approaches drew on songwriting, experimental folk, Arabic musical traditions, the Welsh choral canon, poetry and instrumentation. Over several months, the artists developed their pieces through workshops and conversations with the wonderful Aberystwyth-based choir Côr ABC, led by Louise Amery and hosted at Joseph Parry Hall. 

The project began with an energising two days of choral composition workshops at the Ty Cerdd Studio in Cardiff, bringing together composers, conductors and vocal practitioners for an intensive exploration of writing for collective voices. Led by programme mentor Nathan James Dearden alongside guest speakers Ben Nabuto, Lisa Robertson and Rob Fokkens, the sessions included practical composition workshops, presentations and engaging conversations. Together, we explored the physiology of the voice, body percussion, spatial performance, unconventional vocal sounds, text setting in Welsh, SATB arranging techniques, and the Welsh choral tradition in relation to contemporary practice. Following live demonstrations and score-based exercises with singers from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the workshops rounded off with a Q&A featuring Adrian Partington and an open rehearsal by the BBC National Chorus of Wales. 

New works were developed over several months, punctuated by three lively workshop sessions at Joseph Parry Hall in Aberystwyth with the brilliant Côr ABC, directed by Louise Amery. The workshops gave the music-creators the opportunity to engage in feedback and direct dialogue with the choir and the rest of the cohort; gaining practical experience in the nuances and pleasures of writing for community choir contexts. The workshops with the choir were a space for collaborative experimentation, where the composers explored new ideas and diverse approaches spanning the climate crisis, multilingualism, collectively created lyrics, Welsh and Arabic musical traditions, the life of the mayfly, folk improvisation, ideas of belonging, shruti box accompaniment, and a joyful composition inspired by Calon Lân. 

We’re looking forward to sharing recordings from the project soon! 

report by Freya Dooley, Artist Development Manager