Group Singing As A Complex Adaptive System (CAS)
Thursday 7th July 2022, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
In this short course, Dr Dave Camlin will outline some of the implications of understanding group singing as a complex adaptive system (CAS).
While perhaps hundreds of psychological, biological, social, and behavioural mechanisms might be implicated in the experience of singing together, how we understand such complex intra-actions presents an epistemological conundrum.
Participant reports of ‘magic moments’ point toward group singing as the experience of an ‘entangled state’, whereby our understanding of causality is radically altered.
As well as troubling our understanding of what we ‘know’ about it, thinking of group singing as a CAS also invites us to consider what we ‘do’ with it, and how we research it.
Drawing on perspectives as diverse as vitality dynamics (Stern, 2010) and quantum theory (Barad, 2007), the course will explore the complexity of issues surrounding group singing as it relates to health and (mutual) recovery; interpersonal attunement and entrainment; performance (of relationships and values as much as musical works), addressing such questions as:
- What does it mean to think of music (specifically group singing) as a complex adaptive system (CAS)?
- What human (or posthuman) values are ‘performed’ during group singing, and how might they be fostered?
- What is a ‘healthy public’, and how does group singing support such development?
- How might we connect the act of singing together to issues of sustainable global development?
Dr Dave Camlin
Dr Dave Camlin’s musical practice spans performance, composition, teaching, socially-engaged music practice and research. A singer / song-writer by trade...
Sorry, this is an archived short course...
We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.
Tuesday 18th August 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 25th August 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 1st September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8th September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 15th September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 22nd September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Musical Theatre Vocal Pedagogy Certificate
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Join Kevin Wilson for this six-part certificated course, offering an in‑depth, practical exploration of contemporary voice teaching for musical theatre. Across six focused classes, participants develop a systematic approach to vocal technique, diagnosis, and repertoire selection that reflects the stylistic, physical, and emotional demands of the genre. The curriculum integrates vocal science, embodied voice work, registration theory, and stylistic awareness across the five major sub‑genres of musical theatre.
Thursday 10th September 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Dalcroze Eurhythmics in the Voice Studio
Dr Tish Oney
The Dalcroze Method taught by Swiss music teacher Émile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865-1950) has long been valued as a tool for teaching music in group settings (ensembles, choirs, music classes, etc.) But what about its one-on-one use in the applied voice studio? Join Dr. Tish Oney for this interactive short course and learn about the history and principles of this important method of music education. Through the employ of Dalcroze movements and concepts, singers and teachers explore music in ways that can reduce tension and increase the fun of music making, while encouraging discovery of technical and theoretical skill-building practices.
Tuesday 15th September 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(London Time)
Games & Gadgets: Building Vocal Skills Through Movement & Play!
Naomi Lewandoski
How can simple tools such as exercise balls, bubbles, stretchy bands, straws, ribbons and even toilet rolls transform the way singers learn? Naomi Lewandoski is a singing teacher, voice educator, performer and workshop presenter with a passion for helping singers explore the voice through movement, curiosity and evidence-informed practice. In this interactive course she explores how games, gadgets, movement and play can help build vocal skills by creating greater awareness of how the body coordinates for singing.