The final episode of Series One is with Priya Parker. Through her writing, group facilitation as work as a conflict mediator, she helps people create collective meaning in modern life. Priya is an important voice in the conversation around human connection and, according to Deepak Chopra, ‘has created both an art and a science to gathering in ways that can bring joy and fulfilment to any meeting.” She is the author of ‘The Art Of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters’ and is the host of New York Times podcast ‘Together Apart.’

We talk about:

-Priya’s personal experience of group singing

-the need for individual expression within collective practise

-how to create transformative experiences through gathering

-how Priya’s book has influenced James’s work as singing leader

-the need to create new types of gathering in an increasingly globalised world

-why being specific and purposeful in our gatherings is important

-the TikTok shanty sensation of 2021 as a creative response to lockdown

-the demise of communal singing and the rise of solo performative singing

Sign up to Priya’s monthly newsletter:

https://www.priyaparker.com/newsletter

Priya’s website:

https://www.priyaparker.com/

Join the Sofa Singers:

www.thesofasingers.com

Podcast playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1TWeFKowQ9tCSOEPQ8xmvQ?si=FoCok6QRRfSIyfMMoFtcNQ

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This episode is with Dr Victoria Williamson - an independent authority, scholar and consultant on the psychology of music. Victoria is particularly interested in the relationship between music and wellbeing and is a regular contributor to radio and television, in addition to her own academic research. She is also the author of ‘You Are The Music: How Music Reveals What It Means To Be Human’ published in 2014.

We talk about:

-the scope and reach of music psychology

-the global phenomenon of ‘earworms’

-her research into amusia (‘tone deafness’) and it’s implications for singing.

-the difference between congenital amusia and acquired amusia

-the relationship between music and wellbeing

-why the human voice is so powerful

-therapeutic uses of singing in different healthcare settings

-why ‘Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay’ is her favourite all-time song

Victoria website/blog

https://musicpsychology.co.uk/

Victoria’s TED talk on Music and Memory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbGL1uzl6k

Podcast playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1TWeFKowQ9tCSOEPQ8xmvQ?si=FoCok6QRRfSIyfMMoFtcNQ

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This episode is with Grammy award-winning composer Eric Whitacre. His music is beloved by people around the world and his ground-breaking Virtual Choir projects have united singers from over 145 different countries. Eric is evangelical about the power of singing, both in-person and virtually, and it’s potential to create both musical and social harmony.

We talk about:

-why he’s currently listening to the musical Hamilton on repeat

-how singing Mozart’s Requiem changed his life

-what inspired Eric to create the first virtual choir video in 2010

-why singing with others brings out the best of humanity

-the composition process for ‘Sing Gently’ for Virtual Choir 6

-his use of ‘emotional architecture’ when composing

-his love for Stevie Wonder

‘Sing Gently’ Virtual Choir 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InULYfJHKI0

Eric’s TED Talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NENlXsW4pM

Podcast playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1TWeFKowQ9tCSOEPQ8xmvQ?si=FoCok6QRRfSIyfMMoFtcNQ

Follow James on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook.