Cornflower has been leading monthly Circlesinging events and has shared this technique at some private retreats since he returned from studying with Bobby McFerrin and Voicestra at the OMEGA Institute Masterclass "Spontaneous Inventions" in the Summer of 2005.

Cornflower also was invited to be one of 5 leaders at the annual 12-hour Circlesongs event "Singing for Your Life" in 2005, in Oakland, CA.

This event was first organized by Bobby McFerrin and is now hosted by SoVoso and organized by Arts First Oakland.

To book Cornflower to facilitate an event or workshop in your area please go to the contact page: CLICK HERE.

What is Circlesongs?: Circlesongs is where a circle of singers takes melodic and rhythmic cues (parts) from a skilled facilitator creating repeated rhythmic and harmonic patterns that create songs unique to the moment.

Most Circlesongs are revolving wordless vocal patterns, yet the syllables help distinguish one from the next. At times they are pure scat, but in some songs they sound like an invented language. As the facilitator cues out old parts and introduces new ones, the song continues and changes without stopping, the backgrounds evolve in subtle variations as the facilitator (and at times other singers) groove on top, yet are always staying grounded in attentive listening.

Circlesinging pulls from all kinds of African, Middle Eastern and other vocal or vocal percussive techniques. Under the creative guidance of the skilled facilitator, the group is lead in completely improvised music performance; every moment is free of preconceptions and is created anew. When you enter the circle, you are in a “Mistake-Free” zone.

Where does it come from?: Circlesongs is a vocal musical form invented by 10-Time Grammy-Award Winner Bobby McFerrin steeped in an oral tradition that summons the ancient magic of tribal gatherings. Many tribes from around the world did something similar to this. Bobby took this idea and brought in his own unique vocal abilities and his music training and conducting skills and created Circlesinging.

As Bobby McFerrin explains, "One of the simplest and most direct ways of praying and meditating is through singing and singing in community is exceptionally powerful." Each song created in the moment within a Circlesinging experience becomes an individual mantra. Circlesinging is akin to a religious experience, providing the participant the rare opportunity to witness as well as participate in a musical celebration of spontaneity.