Róisín Ingle Details Spontaneous Singing Workshop in The Irish Times Column
In a column for The Irish Times, writer Róisín Ingle suggests that participating in a singing workshop is good medicine for worry. Ingle details how hearing members of the vocal ensemble Ardú discussing a workshop on the radio prompted her to purchase tickets on impulse and invite her friend Andrew to join her in Dundrum, Dublin.
The event drew a diverse group of participants to a shared musical experience, ranging from experienced choir members to individuals who only sing in private. Instructors from the vocal groups Apex, Ardú, and Shiftwork led the attendees through musical exercises and taught them a seasonal tune titled Samhain Song.
Vocal Exercises and Learning the Samhain Song
During the workshop, participants sat in a circle and learned a specific piece composed by Lucie O’Flynn of the vocal group Shiftwork. The lyrics reflect the transition of the season, featuring lines about dusk and departing loved ones. Attendees also practiced vocalizing ambient sounds to imitate wind and rain before performing the chilling composition in canon.
Ardú previously gained public attention by persuading judge Will.i.am to turn his chair on the television program The Voice UK with a mashup of Doechii’s “Anxiety” and Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” Ingle notes that while memorizing the lyrics without printouts proved challenging for some attendees, the collective effort created an engaging and immersive environment that pushed participants past initial awkwardness.
Shared Meal and Biblical Reflections in Dundrum
Following the workshop, Ingle and Andrew walked to a local Lidl store to gather ingredients for a home-cooked dinner. Andrew prepared an eye loin of ham with potatoes, broccoli, and carrots, accompanied by a buttery parsley sauce. While dinner finished cooking, Ingle read passages from a Bible with a large font designed to accommodate Andrew’s macular degeneration.
Her reading opened to Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians, featuring the passage instructing readers not to be anxious about anything. Ingle explores the idea that individuals can draw comfort and healing from spiritual texts regardless of personal religious belief. After the meal, Andrew played seasonal songs on his accordion before walking his guest to the local bus stop.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Singing Workshop
Who led the singing workshop attended by Róisín Ingle?
Members of the vocal groups Apex, Ardú, and Lucie O’Flynn from the group Shiftwork instructed the attendees during the session.
What song were the participants taught to sing?
The group learned a seasonal piece titled Samhain Song, composed by Lucie O’Flynn, which features lyrics about the arrival of night and autumn.
Where did the spontaneous gathering take place?
The workshop occurred near the Mill Theatre in Dundrum, Dublin, followed by a dinner at Andrew’s nearby apartment.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
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