A workshop on cultural inclusion with Southampton Centre for Music Education and Social Justice - May 2025
Part of Multitude of Voyces' Inclusive Hymn Project
Following on from the premieres of our inclusive commissions Shantiniketan, and Hymn to the Lord of Light, we were delighted to work with our composers Anita Datta and Kiko Shao, and with Dr Chi Ying Lam, Lecturer in Community Music and Social Justice, and Deputy Director of the Southampton Centre for Music Education and Social Justice, part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Southampton University, to present a workshop to the MMus composition and education students on cultural inclusion through music.
The students learned the two commissions, Shantiniketan, and Hymn to the Lord of Light, and were provided with a booklet to support their studies giving biographical information about the composers, the music scores to take away and study, and information about the work of Multitude of Voyces.
Each composer shared their compositional ideas and inspirations with the students, and provided insight into practical aspects such as the incorporation of traditional instruments with different pitch systems, languages other than English, appropriate range for young children's voices, use of refrains, repetition, phrasing and other elements which are common to all compositions, whether secular or sacred. Both composers took questions from the students and it was a hugely uplifting and positive workshop.
Photographs courtesy of Southampton University 2025
"It was wonderful to hear your insights and to hear students singing your pieces, Anita and Kiko……the sharing was so engaging and inspiring and I didn’t want it to stop. "
Dr Chi Ying Lam, Lecturer, Community Music and Social Justice Deputy Director, Southampton Centre for Music Education and Social JusticeProgramme Lead, MMus
ECC Rep, Music, and Southampton Institute for Arts and Humanities (SIAH) Faculty of Arts and Humanities
