About
We are a network of people who share a common philosophy in relation to singing and groupwork. Most members are based in the UK but we have a steadily growing international membership. We’ve been a constituted group since 2000. Our working methods and philosophy emerged out of the pioneering work of Frankie Armstrong who began leading voice workshops in the early 1970s. You can read more about our history on the How The NVPN Was Born page.
We believe that singing is everybody’s birthright. For thousands of years all over the world people have sung — to express joy, celebration and grief, to aid healing, to accompany work, devotion and the rituals of life — without worrying about having a "good" voice or "getting it right". Singing has been a part of life, a way of binding communities.
Each person's voice is as unique as their fingerprint: the voice we are born with is capable of freely expressing a full range of emotions, thoughts and experience - this is what we mean by the "natural voice".
Creating an accepting community is an essential element of our approach: a community where singing together is a natural experience that is open and accessible to all.
What is Natural Voice?
Many people see themselves as ‘non singers’ because of previous experiences of criticism and judgment. Many are excluded from singing activities because they do not have music-reading skills or trained voices. Our work aims to counteract these experiences and give people confidence in their voices by providing them with a supportive learning environment and a suitable repertoire.
- Our workshops, choirs, courses and projects are accessible and inclusive.
- We aim to accommodate mixed levels of experience.
- We avoid technical language and musical jargon.
- We aim to teach songs in a traditional way – mostly by ear.
- We endorse the use of physical and vocal warm-ups to facilitate vocal health, confidence and fun.
- We see the voice and singing with others as a fundamental community building activity.
- We respect and acknowledge all sources and songwriters, and take care to set songs in their historical and cultural context.
Song of the Month
The Cotelands Croydon Lullaby
The words and tune for this song were written by the young mums (age 14-16yrs) as part of CRISP's Positive Activities for Young People project with teenage mums and mums-to-be.
Teenage mums get a bad reputation in the UK but this wonderful specialist Pupil Referral Unit has places for 40 babies, and most mums become responsible mothers, retaining care of their infants and going on to achieve well educationally.
For more info please contact CRISP Co-ordinator Catherine Pestano: catherine@naturalvoice.net
Frankie Armstrong
"Having been involved with folk and political songs since the 1950s, I've always been fascinated by the way that voice can enhance an individual's sense of wellbeing and can also develop a sense of community between people. It can link us to the thread of song that comes down to us from our ancestors. Hence I've always been interested in exploring voice and song in their historical, cultural, political and spiritual dimensions. I also see the voice as a tool to aid self-expression, creativity and confidence."
Get Our Songbook!
This inspiring compilation of warm-up songs written by NVPN members all over the UK comes as a book with 3 CDs of the separate parts for 65 songs. There are songs to suit all groups, and they pay tribute to the hugely rich diversity of our expanding Network. You can find more details of To Grace The Earth on our Resources page.