Choral singers, like orchestral players, are accustomed to performing together.
As with so many other things, the pandemic changed all that.
Last year, the head of the ANU School of Music, Associate Professor Kim Cunio, initiated a virtual orchestra performance for professional and non-professional musicians. They recorded their parts in isolation and the results were painstakingly assembled, track by track.
In 2021, with the pandemic continuing, Associate Professor Cunio decided to undertake a similar project: this time, for voices.
Once again, performers will individually record themselves and the results will be pieced together.
One of the pieces is Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus; the other is a new work. Tobias Cole will be leading two ensembles, the ANU Chamber Choir and the ANU Vocal Fry, and the other singers take part will join them.
"We have found that performers need to perform, and we know that part of the role of ANU is not just to do the research that is needed to overcome this pandemic but to also to bring us together," Associate Professor Cunio said.
Part of his inspiration came from the day 500 Sydney people were diagnosed with COVID-19.
"Art can provide a diversion but it can also enable us to grieve properly," he said.
He wrote a short text, titled May your passing not be in vain, as a prayer for the people dying from Covid in Australia. The score for this new work will be created at the ANU School of Music.
Applications of interest for Ave Verum Corpus, opened on Tuesday. This work was intended for more serious singers but May your passing not be in vain will be suitable for wider participation and is intended to provide a therapeutic experience, Associate Professor Cunio said.
"Music has a rare ability to help us process our feelings," he said.
"We'll open up this piece up for up to 100 singers to record their parts and our techs will put it together and make us all blend like magic."
The pieces will be recorded in the next couple of months and the final performances will be released later in the year.
For more information, guide tracks and instructions visit spaces.hightail.com/space/HuYmuVcdv8 or email admin.SoMAD@anu.edu.au.
