Community Song Leading with Lala Simpson
What makes up contemporary song leading? Is the person who leads the choir. The methodology and pedagogy behind it. Lala has worked particularly hard to create an engaging and welcoming space for all members this is a very fun, friendly and open to all with choir members both standing and sitting for the performance “How can I keep from Singing?”.
Speaking with Lala afterwards she told me it has taken about two years to feel real ownership in this space. This was evident in the generosity and exchange between choir members, the seamless way everyone supported each other in the beautiful project they were presenting for us.
All proceeds from the concert raised were donated to Ratana Voices to support their travel to Japan in further sharing to retrace Ratana steps as he went to Japan as part of his world tour 100 years ago and celebrate the special connection between Ratana and Bishop Yuji Naka.
Ratana Voices were a smaller collective of four singers from a larger represented choir from Ratana.
Choir members were proud of the advancements in repertoire and skill building they had made as a group, that it had allowed for this concert to even be possible. This presentation feeling unique and precious to them. I could see and feel that as an audience member.
“We have been learning more about tonics and how that works. It has made it more possible for us to work seamlessly with other groups. That makes me feel more confident as a singer and proud of what we can achieve as a community choir.”
This concert was about making sure that we felt connected, happy and uplifted in our spirit. It was a collaboration with Ratana Voices. The concert had the dual purpose of supporting their trip and re-establishing connection after visiting Ratana Pa several times over the years and showcasing shared talent between the two groups.
What we were treated to was multiple threads within the one concert presentation from Wellington Community Choir, one from Ratana Voices and then one with everyone altogether. There was much acknowledgement in the thanks about what contemporary song leading looks like to Lala.
It was glorious to see the choir not only led by Lala but led by Riria from Ratana Voices. There is much generosity in the sharing of leadership. An invitational space for our communities to step in to learn new languages and cultures of music from each other.
The leadership was beautiful to watch in both gesture and structure.
Lala has a very friendly face but she has very distinct song leading gestures and does marvelous things to finish phrasing with her arms and hands. She is very lyrical with a metronome like movement to keep time with attentive members watching to see what comes next.
Riria was also a wonderful Song Leader to watch and learn from. I could appreciate the value of language, timing and togetherness in her leadership. I could imagine not wanting to let her down and wanting to try my best to get the phrasing and tonics right.
Neither song leader was afraid to stop the choir for a crisp beginning so we could appreciate the song fully. Each leader guided the choir through songs that were challenging to master, so we could enjoy them as an audience and they gorgeous to behold.
It is connection, community, it is how we come together as whanau to support each other's communities in our different endeavors but equally supporting our musical pursuits to lift each other up.
Then we were treated to one final show piece of singing together.
Nui mai te pa nga o te hau
Meaning: How the weather is interpreted, the storm before the calm. You can let the waves crash upon you.
“It is a powerful song. Leading and voices rising up together. Composed to compliment the bass line. ”
Ratana Voices: How Can I Keep from Singing
Ratana Voices are Sonata Karena-Saavedra, Robyn Karena, Te Rongopai Anderson, and Riria Gardiner
Ratana Voices to me is sacred singing of traditional and non tradditional Waiata often with four part harmony. The four women represented a slightly larger group of singers from Ratana Pa. The singing in their own voices is transcendent and by the time we got to No 53, we were totally warmed up.
Sonata is wonderful orator and shared many stories and moments on behalf of the group. All of the voices together interweave in a most complex vocal braid. That is a delight for the ears and even better when you close your eyes to listen.
“Comfortable feeling uncomfortable, Sharing our gods work.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to build connections and make relationships with you.”
This bonding of relationship also extended from the initial relationship that was created many years ago from when I was first in choir. I remember that very first visit we made to Ratana Pa, I understand the sacredness and what family/faith means within the context of this structure and so it's lovely that there is this relationship built of exchange and trust and that's what it's beautiful about the leadership from Lala as a song leader and her guiding committee at Wellington Community Choir, that it has been built on and extended over all these years to create this beautiful result that is resonating with deep values of whanau, connection and creativity together. This was extended in a pot luck after the event.
There were songs in the performance that rose up in the church and presented themselves in a way that said we are here and we are proud of who we are, there were others that needed work, it’s a community choir, that is the colourful experience of being in community, acceptance of what we learn and what we can work on for next time.
Community Dinner after the Concert
It reminds me that choir fulfils many things for people, when I look around the room I'm amazed at the connections I have from the time I spent in choir. That's Claire from the Sopranos!
I was reminded that when you're on stage you were ultimately lifted up by all of the voices around you and the transformation state that happens when you are inquiry, that there is such a trust you put in the leadership in front of you and you turn up every week because you love it so much because of the songs you do, the performances you make, than the places you go and the passion projects you have.
It was a rich evening of storytelling reminding us that living in love, light and community is that must have part of the puzzle of Wellington life. For many members, bonded relationships formed over many years of coming to choir. If Wellington Community Choir sounds like it is for you, they meet on Wednesday nights. Check out their website for more details here.
As an aside, I would like to acknowledge the amazing community of song leaders who turned up to support this event. It was wonderful to see so many of you at the end the supporting and connecting with each other. Chatting shop and vibing the good feels. You support of each other means the world and more than you can know.
Claire Hewitt