Article on Circlesongs - The Star

Article in The Star on The Phil's preview of Circlesongs at The Annexe, Central Market
(From http://thestar.com.my/youth2/story.asp?file=/2007/10/17/youth2/19160766&sec=youth2)

Get Into The Groove
by SHARMILA NAIR

17 October 2007

Feel free to let loose as the audience is always welcome to be a part of Circlesong.

YOU do not always need expensive instruments and hours of lessons to create beautiful and entertaining music. Humans have been tapping their feet and clicking their tongue forever to make sounds, but we have never quite taken their musical potential seriously.

Bobby McFerrin did. The infamous Don’t Worry, Be Happy singer is the person behind the brainchild that is Circlesong – a musical performance that incorporates choral improvisations with body sounds to create the perfect blend of music.

Circlesong is a novel way of music making, combining oral sounds (such as singing, poetry recital, rap) and beats made by actions into a performance worthy of the stage. It is essentially a free-flow and free-style form of expression through music. Performers only need to hone their skills in making actions that produce sounds.

A typical Circlesong performance would have the performers standing or sitting in a circle. There is no script. Someone would start with a beat, and others would join in at their pace. The beat, rhythm and mood of the performance change according to the group dynamics, and the audience’s response.

In Malaysia, Circlesong groups are budding where people are willing to experiment with art and self expressions. Musician and actor Melvin Ho started a Circlesong group and recently led about 25 amateur singers to stage a performance.

“I’m not going to claim to be the first person to bring Circlesong into Malaysia. It’s been done here and there across the country and is slowly gaining popularity among its audience.

“This is quite experimental and the reason why I wanted to bring it here is to show Malaysians that there are various ways of expressing one’s self,” says Melvin, who is also Circlesong’s art director.
Melvin and his group of Circlesong performers have put up performances in Central Market and Bangsar Actor’s Studio to introduce a new form of music making to the Klang Valley audience.

The concept is gaining tentative acceptance from the public. The environment they perform in also affects Circlesong’s appeal. It works better when there is ample opportunity and encouragement for the audience to participate, or be part of the action.

The audience is always welcome to be part of the performance as Circlesong thrives on spontaneity, and the camaraderie formed as everyone gets into rhythm.

They jam without relying on any music scores, lyrics or even choreographed movements, for Circlesong doesn’t believe in restraining its performers' talents and capabilities.

“This is not a bunch of conventional singers following a set of notes on pieces of paper. These performers follow their mind and listen to their hearts while adjusting themselves to the tone of the group,” adds Melvin.

At their inaugural performance in Central Market, they drew a strong number of people who watched the performers with mixed emotions – some in awe and others in plain confusion.

Edmar Rashid who was there to witness Circlesong’s maiden performance was impressed by the group’s creativity and spontaneity.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before. At first I thought they were ‘not normal’ but later, I realised that this is how they express themselves,” says the 21-year-old Graphic Design student with a laugh.

Looking like a bunch of weirdoes is not a label that scares Circlesong member Mohd Fahazrul Mohd Hatta. The 23-year-old aspiring singer is happy to be part of a group that allows him to be spontaneous and create music through vocal exploration and improvisation. And to think that he almost didn’t make it into the group.

“I was one of the late participants. I auditioned at the last minute and thought that I blew my chance of performing in the Circlesong,” says the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Public Relations student.

After being accepted, Mohd Fahazrul didn’t take long time to show his vocal prowess, which he says also came late in his young life.

“I am a late bloomer. I only found out that I could sing when I was 17,” he says.

Aminda Faizura is also another good singer in Circlesong. She was invited to join the group by Melvin, her former choir coach, and she didn’t think twice before agreeing.

The 19-year-old A-Levels student easily captivated the audience when she stepped into the limelight, especially during the solo performances.

During the Circlesong performances, the audience is allowed to pinpoint and select a performer of their choice. The person who is picked has to come up with a spontaneous performance on the spot.

The receptive crowd was very encouraging especially when they joined in the fun and created harmonious music along with the Circlesong performers.

“I’m glad to have had this experience of singing in harmony with people I don’t know. This has taught me to be more receptive of my surrounding and also to be in-tune with myself,” says Mohd Fahazrul.