Count On Me - Reflecting On A Placement with Starling Arts

Placement student Titu reflects on their journey with Starling Arts this term.

Growing up, being involved in choirs at primary and secondary school, I always felt an affinity to group singing, to belong somewhere, and to be part of a bigger family/community, who use singing as an outlet to express themselves and tell their stories. Stories that otherwise might remain untold.  

Next thing I know, alas (!), it has been over fifteen years since I last felt the buzz of singing in a choir. This must be what they call; “being caught-up with life”! And indeed life has recently played another trick; currently, whilst in my final year of university, I find myself being the primary carer of my beloved sister who is battling with cancer. I felt it is high time I embraced singing again! Because now, more than ever, I would like to sing my heart out to my sister (and best friend) Bruno Mars’ ‘Count On Me’ - her favourite song.  

To re-ignite my passion for singing, among all the university placement options I felt propelled to choose the opportunity of being a part of Anna and Emily’s Starling Arts family. It turned out to be the blessing I needed more than ever in my life.  

Warmest welcome into the Starling family 

At first, I felt a little apprehensive about working with three groups each week, because I wanted to make sure that my every contribution aligned with Anna and Emily’s excellent work done with groups. To my relief I was welcomed by everyone as another member of the Starling family. With such warm embracement and encouragement from Anna and Emily, who always treat you as an artist and expert in the room, within days I began to feel at ease to implement my knowledge of applied theatre (combined with yogic practices), in facilitating physical/vocal warm-ups, exercises, games and so forth. With Starling’s faith in me, my clarity and confidence get stronger with each passing day. 

Now I have the perseverance and pleasure to regularly sing along with the groups, and at times on Anna and Emily’s masterpieces such as ‘There Is A Song’. This is a brand new song, and like for many others, it relates to my stories and my internal state of being, which might not be possible to otherwise express. Thus, in the midst of many uncertainties, this entire process of working with Starling has been like a therapy towards my mental and physical health, and is turning out to be one of the most productive learning periods of my university life. So, what have I been learning? 

titu blends applied theatre and yogic practices in leading sessions

More than just a choir 

What sets Starling Arts apart from other more conventional choirs is that you are more than a member of just a choir. It is a community of its own, a safe space and an artistic sanctuary where people of diverse backgrounds come together to get to know others, exchange ideas, grab a bite of weekly baked cakes, and socialise over their shared artistic expression through (more than just) singing.  

Starling Arts identifies group singing as a social activity where anybody can sing and benefit from the process of getting to know one another. Thus, I have recognised and learnt this practice methodology, where we feel more at ease, motivated and balanced when we connect and establish relationships with the people we sing with (or practice arts), on a profound level. Witnessing Anna and Emily going out of their way to know members on a personal level and addressing their issues has been a stark testament of the company’s relational ethics of care towards members, and holistic approach towards singing that is akin to person-centered care. 

An arts organisation that promotes research intensity 

As a placement participant, from day one, I have been intellectually engaging in discussions with Anna and Emily on crucial matters such as scientifically proven benefits of singing, and singing as a non-medical intervention for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Through their guidance and expertise, I have been practising my autonomous process of researching topics on singing, breath-work and relevant yoga practices through numerous suggested resources. I am able to directly and effectively use this research knowledge with our weekly North and South choirs, and particularly with our Sing for Better Breathing participants during our Wednesday morning’s online facilitation. This research equally proves to be immensely helpful with my on-going university research on benefits of music/singing interventions with dementia participants.  

Additionally, I have been encouraged to research on topics like event planning, budgeting and fundraising, along with operational strategies and challenges of arts organisations, such as Starling Arts. My research on Arts Council England and National Portfolio Organisations has given me a broader understanding of the requirements to obtain funding for my own future applied theatre practices.  

Titu leads a group warm up

Creating a space to unwind, relax, laugh, and simply have fun over singing 

Starling’s holistic approach towards singing entails creating a space where members often joining rehearsals after a long day's work, can unwind and relax through various fun and tailored mindful techniques, physical/vocal warm-ups, and breath exercises by Anna and Emily, who are expert in these practices. These simple yet powerful practices allow the members to release stresses of the day, feel energised, build bodily awareness, and develop breath control, creating a well-rounded synergy of mind, body, and breath leading towards singing.  

I identify these practices as essential elements of ‘choir repertoire’, and see this methodology as a radical departure from more traditional methods of choir companies, who may not apply enough emphasis on such practices before getting into the singing part. As an applied theatre practitioner, I have been analysing, interrogating, and learning these practices as equally important elements of my own practice-based techniques and skills of ‘applied theatre repertoire’. Upon self-reflection, I can clearly see how this learning sustains my communication and collaboration skills with Starling participants, which will continue to be applicable with participants invariably in my future practices.  

As the session unfolds, we as a group practice short singing rounds and power choruses before moving onto learning the music or whole song in harmony. This transition happens in a fun and supportive atmosphere and relies on the principle that everybody bears the potential to sing, where no previous singing or music reading ability is expected. It is pure joy to watch us working on a particular verse or song, and then seeing the choir singing to bring it to life. Most importantly, this entire process gets executed by Anna and Emily with ‘infectious energy’ and is interspersed with their ready-witted interludes that create bundles of laughter and fun throughout the rehearsals. I wish I were as funny as them! 

Titu works with a group on thier performance skills

Final thoughts and observations 

Whilst the above could be seen as merely a glimpse of my learning at Starling Arts, my experience of being with Starling has made me realise numerous other reasons and benefits of being in this choir. In the light of the pandemic/post lockdowns, considering the steep rise in mental health issues, isolation and general lack of meaningful human interaction, these reasons and benefits are more evident than ever.  

Being part of a choir directly addresses these issues by regulating social activity, eliminating isolation, making friendship with soulful humans, forming a bigger family/community, and boosting our mind/mental health by releasing happy endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine in the body. Anna and Emily summarise these benefits succinctly when they state: “Music has magical powers to lift your body, mind and soul”. With this objective at heart, the essence of being a Starling Voice is community, where singing is the bridge that unites us all. Starling combines this sense of community with inspiring practices, mouthwatering harmonies, and outstanding performances. 

As an applied theatre practitioner, I see singing in choirs as one of the applied arts sectors that is unique among industries, where the need for materialistic gains or greater earnings does not stifle its social significance. Its soul and spirit are filled with love and virtuosity, something that our world can always try to explain or measure, but it can only be felt with gratitude.  

I therefore will always be grateful to the Starling team for gently guiding me out of my comfort zone, encouraging me with unwavering faith to have confidence in myself and my practice, develop my skills, and for providing me with a platform on which to do so, in front of their prodigy of singers and professionals. Not to mention, the pleasure I now have in singing my heart out to my sister, who often joins in with joy and laughter.  

My gratitude to Anna and Emily, the Starling Voices North and South, and to the Sing for Better Breathing group, can only be used to summarise my time at Starling Arts, for giving me an experience that will remain indispensable for the rest of my life. 

 -- Titu, Applied Theatre placement student from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London.