The Power In Vocal Communities | Ysaye Barnwell | TEDxBeaconStreet

There is an awesome power in the human voice, and when uncommon voices are blended for a shared goal (for example: children at play or marchers singing at demonstrations) we become a community of individuals absorbed in a shared communal experience. Technology is changing some fundamental aspects of how, when, where and why we communicate as humans beings, but our voices - blended in song - articulate shared goals, causes, ideologies passions, beliefs, faiths, work, rituals, and tell our collective stories. Our blended voices are the core of our humanity. Try it. You’ll love it.

Barnwell was a Professor at the Howard University College of Dentistry for over a decade. She has administered public health programs at Children’s Hospital National Medical Center and at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. Barnwell is a commissioned composer, author, and actress, and is best known as a vocalist and recording artist who for 34 years, was a member of the a cappella ensemble SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK. For 30 years, she has conducted her Building a Vocal Community Workshops, and led Community Sings, across the United States and on three other continents. She encourages everyone to feel the awesome power of their voices blended in song. "All that is required is a willingness to sing.”

[estherstrongman]

There is NOBODY like Ysaye Barnwell!!! Amen.

[johnelkins]

Very cool, we are going to learn to do this in our choir.

[lilithrogers]

Wow, she's wonderful!!! And__she's new t me!! Thank you for being here, Ysaye--love, love....This BIG light of mine!!

[sapofish]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE you Thank you for My sister had a stroke and lost her ability to speak, but I wanted to get her to SING, since it accesses a different part of the brain. Sadly, she only listened to me sing, but Imna see if she'd be willing to turn the tv OFF next time, so we can sing

[SojournHonduras]

So wonderful to see Ysaye at the helm, and singing alto instead of that deep, awesome bass. A first for me. In the past it was Bernice as lead speaker. Good to see you Ysaye. Great presentation!

[sheilacook]

Ysaye refers to the response of Parisians singing in the stadium (and calming themselves) during the beginning of the November 13 2015 Terrorist attacks, while outside the stadium, 3 separate suicide bombers detonated their bombs, killing only one pedestrian besides themselves. Wow.