SAN DIEGO NEW VERBAL WORKSHOP - experimental chorus

San Diego New Verbal Workshop is a community choir that performs vocal music from the mid-20th century to the present day. They maintain an open policy and welcome anyone who wants to sing, regardless of their experience level or music literacy. The choir’s mission is to provide a music-making environment that encourages people to engage with their voices and explore new performance concepts, embracing a wide range of expression.

They have performed pieces by composers, including Pauline Oliveros, Robert Ashley, Sharon Chohi Kim, and Stuart Saunders Smith at venues such as The Mandeville Art Gallery, Art Produce, Department, Intervals Room, City College Gallery, and more.

The piece that will be performed at WORKING TITLE 2024, ‘Labyrinthine,’ was composed by choir member Dom Cooper. Originally written for the Cafe Oto choir in the UK, it has been adapted for the St Paul’s labyrinth and SdNVW with the assistance of Zane Alexander. The piece explores the symbolism of labyrinths and their history as walking meditations. Sonically, it represents an inner journey along the path. An accompanying mix will be broadcast on Particle FM, and a zine focusing on labyrinths will be available.

Dom Cooper, a California-based musician, artist, composer, and performer, whose practice is based around the voice. He performs solo as Circle/Temple and has been a student of the cult Irish band United Bible Studies for the past six years. Originally from the UK, he was a member of the Musarc choir. Notable performances include The BBC Proms with Neil Luck, The London Contemporary Festival, and the Artefact Festival in Leuven. He was also a member of both Cafe Oto’s Experimental and Folk Choirs, which performed works with Annea Lockwood, Sarah Davachi, WIDT, and Áine O’Dwyer