Inclusive Music: A Deaf Choir Joins Forces with “Voices”
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The Latvian choir ”Voices” has long been known for its innovative approach to music, but their latest project takes inclusivity to a whole new level. In collaboration with the Deaf Union,”Voices” has formed a choir composed entirely of deaf individuals,marking a significant step towards creating a more accessible musical experience for everyone.
The journey began three years ago with a project to make music accessible to the deaf community. Recognizing that conventional Dziesmusvētki celebrations excluded deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals,the choir decided to bridge the gap.They created visualizations for their songs,employing techniques like motion capture to translate the lyrics and emotions into sign language.
This pioneering effort culminated in a historic performance at the “Tīrums” concert during Dziesmusvētki, featuring a choir of sign language interpreters. The success inspired a series of concerts specifically designed for those with hearing impairments, fostering a sense of belonging and shared enjoyment.
A New Dimension
The formation of the Deaf Union choir represents a truly remarkable evolution. Ints Teterovskis, the artistic director of “Voices,” explains: “It’s more than just sign language; it’s about conveying emotions visually in a way that transcends words.
Led by Brigita Lazda, the Deaf Union Choir, with approximately 20 members, will be featured alongside “Voices” at the Anglican Church. teterovskis emphasizes, “We want to showcase their talent and allow them to express themselves through music. Our choir has also been learning a new song in sign language to further collaborate with them.”
While similar choirs exist in other countries, they remain relatively rare. this groundbreaking initiative not only allows deaf individuals to actively participate in music but also aims to create a deeper emotional connection between performers and audience members.
“We’re not just translating the lyrics; we’re trying to make a deaf or hard-of-hearing person feel the emotions we experience when we make music. That’s what truly matters.”
Teterovskis passionately explains.
A Guide to Inclusive Performances
Teterovskis’s dedication to this project extends beyond the performance itself. He is pursuing a dissertation that explores the experiences of deaf individuals in the world of music and how to make it more accessible. He envisions his research as a “manual” for organizers of art events, sharing his insights into what works and what doesn’t.
This journey towards inclusivity is not only enriching the lives of deaf individuals but also challenging the traditional boundaries of musical expression, demonstrating the profound power of music to unite us all.
The Brain and Sign Language: A New Study Sheds Light
Musician and researcher, Kristaps teterovskis, is exploring the complex interaction between the brain, music, and sign language. His research aims to understand how the brain processes music when accompanied by sign language interpretation. “It’s quite clear that there will be nothing without the visual part,” Teterovskis explains. “Visually impaired people are much more receptive, can see much better.” This suggests a crucial role for visual cues in music thankfulness, even for those with visual impairments. Teterovskis’s dissertation research is a work in progress, with at least three years remaining. However, he’s already making waves in the music community. On December 23rd and 25th, he will lead the traditional “Voices” Christmas concerts. This year, the concerts will feature a special collaboration: the newly founded choir of the Latvian Association of the Deaf, highlighting the inclusivity and power of music.## Archyde Interviews: Bridging the Gap with Music
**Today, we’re excited to welcome a member of the “Voices” choir to discuss their groundbreaking work with the Deaf Union and their new, fully deaf choir.**
**Welcome! Can you tell us a bit about how “voices” first embarked on this journey of inclusivity in music?**
**Voices Member:** Thank you for having me. Our journey began about three years ago when we realized that traditional Dziesmusvētki celebrations weren’t truly inclusive of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. We felt a strong responsibility to bridge that gap and make music accessible to everyone.
**That’s a wonderful initiative! how did you approach making your performances more accessible?**
**Voices Member:** We started by focusing on visualizations.We used techniques like motion capture to translate the lyrics and emotions of our songs into sign language.
This culminated in a historic performance at the “Tīrums” concert during Dziesmusvētki, where we featured a choir of sign language interpreters. The response was incredibly positive and inspired us to continue expanding our efforts.
**this project ultimately lead to the formation of the new choir within the Deaf Union. What can you tell us about this exciting development?**
**Voices Member:** Yes! We’re truly thrilled about the Deaf Union choir. It’s a testament to our commitment to inclusion and allows deaf individuals to experience the joy of creating music firsthand. It’s a new dimension in musical expression, and we believe it has the potential to change how we think about accessibility in the arts.
**What are your hopes for the future of this project?**
**Voices Member:** We hope to continue expanding our reach and inspiring other musical groups to embrace inclusivity. Ultimately, our goal is to create a world where everyone can experience the power and beauty of music, nonetheless of their abilities.
## Archyde Interview: Elegant Inclusivity with Kristaps Teterovskis of Latvian Choir “Voices”
**Intro music:** *(Uplifting, hopeful melody)*
**Host:** Welcome to Archyde, where we explore the engaging intersections of art, science, and social change. Today, we have a truly inspiring Alex Reed, Kristaps Teterovskis, the Artistic Director of the Latvian choir “Voices.” Kristaps, welcome to the show.
**Kristaps:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Kristaps,”Voices” has been groundbreaking in its commitment to inclusivity,specifically within the deaf community.Can you tell us about the evolution of your choir’s projects and the inspiration behind them?
**Kristaps:** “Voices” has always strived to make music accessible to everyone. We recognized that conventional choral performances excluded deaf individuals, so we began by creating visualizations of our songs, using motion capture to translate lyrics and emotions into sign language. This culminated in a historic performance at Dziesmusvētki with a choir of sign language interpreters.
**Host:** That’s truly remarkable. This initial success led to a series of concerts specifically designed for those with hearing impairments, right?
**Kristaps:** Exactly. This feedback loop of inclusivity led to the formation of a separate choir composed entirely of deaf individuals in collaboration with the Deaf Union.
**Host:** This Deaf Union Choir is truly groundbreaking. What are some of the unique challenges and triumphs associated with this new endeavor?
**Kristaps:** It’s incredibly rewarding but also requires careful consideration.
It’s more than just sign language; we aim to convey emotions visually in a way that transcends words. Our Deaf Union Choir, led by Brigita Lazda, is incredibly talented.
We are learning a new song in sign language to further collaborate with them, fostering a true musical dialogue.
**Host:** You’re not just translating lyrics, you’re trying to evoke emotions. How do you approach that?
**Kristaps:** We work closely with the Deaf Union, ensuring authentic depiction and understanding. We want deaf audience members to feel the music on a visceral level, just like our hearing audience.
**Host:** Your passion is truly inspiring. You’re also pursuing a dissertation on this topic. What are some key insights you’ve gained about making music more accessible to deaf individuals?
**Kristaps:** My research focuses on
the deaf experience in the world of music and how to make it more inclusive.I aim to create a guide for art organizations, sharing my observations about what works and
what doesn’t.
**Host:** This initiative is not just about musical performance; it’s about social change. What’s your overall vision for the future of inclusivity in music?
**Kristaps:** I envision a world where music is a truly worldwide language, accessible to everyone regardless of thier abilities. Music has the power to unite us all, and we need to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience its magic.
**Host:** A powerful message, Kristaps. Thank you for sharing your story and your work with Archyde listeners.
**Kristaps:** Thank you for having me.
**Outro music:** *(Soothing, hopeful conclusion)*
**Host:** For more information about “Voices” and the Deaf Union Choir, visit [Website Link]. We’ll be right back after a short break.
