VOICEBOX has announced the six artists who comprise their inaugural cohort. Running from September 2023 to August 2024, this UK-based initiative will offer advanced singers a curriculum in contemporary vocal performance.

The artists are Patricia Auchterlonie, Hester Dart, Tara Lily Klein, Oskar McCarthy, Sarah Parkin, and Pascal Zurek. They will undergo four residency periods at Britten Pears Arts in Suffolk, the University of London, Sound Festival Aberdeen, and Dartington Music Summer School & Festival in Devon.

The tutors for the course will be Juliet Fraser, Elaine Mitchener, Omar Ebrahim, Lore Lixenberg, Winnie Huang, James Weeks, Newton Armstrong, Dam Van Huynh, Eliza McCarthy, and Lydia Rilling. Filmmaker Jessie Rodger will document the progress and final showcase.

Topics for the course include programming and commissioning, improvisation, movement and physical expression, specialized vocal techniques, notation, microtonal tuning systems, sound design technology, wellbeing, and navigating the industry. Singers will receive coaching, participate in seminars, workshops, and public masterclasses, as well as develop short research projects and more.

The six artists will also commission a new work which they will perform at a public showcase at Dartington Music Summer School & Festival at the end of the course.