Full Moon Choir
JuNE. 2013 - Regina Public Library, Regina, SK.
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The Full Moon Choir is an ongoing collaborative voice-based project that brings together groups of self-proclaimed singers, to sing moon-based repertoire, under the light of the full moon. The project encourages deeper awareness and understanding of our surrounding seasonal and cosmic environments, while fostering inclusivity, community and togetherness with a DIY spirit. The Full Moon Choir took place on the evening of June 23rd 3013 during the “Super Moon,” an event where the moon is not only full, but also closest to the earth in its yearly orbit. |
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Image Credit: Leo Keiser
For this first incarnation of the Full Moon Choir, a core group of 12 singers were assembled to perform for an event entitled PLAY; coordinated and curated by artists Kathleen Irwin and Jeff Morton. PLAY was a performance based project, that invited artists to create performances in response to two modified upright pianos. The pianos were painted bright red, and installed inside and out of the Dunlop Art Gallery/Regina Public Library, in downtown Regina, Saskatchewan.
After singing, the group proceeded to walk down Scarth Street Mall and along 11th avenue in downtown Regina, adorned in various shiny and silvery costumes, masks and home made percussion instruments. Many of these props were constructed at a public workshop that was held the day before at the Dunlop/RPL. Members of the assembled audience joined in the procession, some on foot, bicycle or rollerblades. There were bursts of accompanying song and moments where the full Super Moon was visible above Regina’s downtown buildings.
The intention of this project was to encourage a deeper sense of connection with our surrounding urban and seasonal and social environments. Acknowledging the powerful seasonal force of the moon created a space for awareness of surrounding space and the people within it. The city of Regina’s social, and spatial landscape was particularly influential in the manifestation of this project. Regina’s social landscape influenced the way members of the choir came together and interacted with one another, as well as who came to watch as an audience member. The urban landscape of the city, and the relative emptiness of the downtown core after 6 pm on most days of the week was a motivating factor in instigating an event that would bring people outdoors and encourage shared acts of singing, walking and being together.
After singing, the group proceeded to walk down Scarth Street Mall and along 11th avenue in downtown Regina, adorned in various shiny and silvery costumes, masks and home made percussion instruments. Many of these props were constructed at a public workshop that was held the day before at the Dunlop/RPL. Members of the assembled audience joined in the procession, some on foot, bicycle or rollerblades. There were bursts of accompanying song and moments where the full Super Moon was visible above Regina’s downtown buildings.
The intention of this project was to encourage a deeper sense of connection with our surrounding urban and seasonal and social environments. Acknowledging the powerful seasonal force of the moon created a space for awareness of surrounding space and the people within it. The city of Regina’s social, and spatial landscape was particularly influential in the manifestation of this project. Regina’s social landscape influenced the way members of the choir came together and interacted with one another, as well as who came to watch as an audience member. The urban landscape of the city, and the relative emptiness of the downtown core after 6 pm on most days of the week was a motivating factor in instigating an event that would bring people outdoors and encourage shared acts of singing, walking and being together.
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The Full Moon Choir Was: Ethan Anderson Amber Christensen Dominic Gregario Ian Jestadt Joel Lareau Lorena Leal Jeff Meldrum Rowan Pantel Christine Ramsay Melanie Wilmink Ken Wilson Accompanist: Sarah Stubbe |
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