WESTLAND PLACE 2025
choir, vocal tract organ and vocal tract sliders [5’]
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choir, vocal tract organ and vocal tract sliders [5’]
Westland Place is written for the Shout at Cancer laryngectomy choir, accompanied by a set of ‘vocal tract’ instruments designed by David Howard, founding head of electronic engineering at Royal Holloway University.
These instruments include the vocal tract organ and vocal tract sliders — 3D-printed, life-sized models of the laryngectomy choir members’ vocal tracts, created from MRI scans and brought to life by an electronically synthesised larynx signal projected through small loudspeakers. The instruments are played using either a standard piano-style keyboard or stylophones.
The song itself was composed in collaboration with the Shout at Cancer Choir through a lyric-writing workshop that drew on personal stories, shared reflections and the group’s powerful sense of community. Together we shaped the words to reflect experiences of identity, change and connection through voice.
These instruments include the vocal tract organ and vocal tract sliders — 3D-printed, life-sized models of the laryngectomy choir members’ vocal tracts, created from MRI scans and brought to life by an electronically synthesised larynx signal projected through small loudspeakers. The instruments are played using either a standard piano-style keyboard or stylophones.
The song itself was composed in collaboration with the Shout at Cancer Choir through a lyric-writing workshop that drew on personal stories, shared reflections and the group’s powerful sense of community. Together we shaped the words to reflect experiences of identity, change and connection through voice.
The piece takes inspiration from the Sacred Harp singing tradition, known for its raw harmonies, communal focus and inclusive spirit. Like Sacred Harp, this choir values participation over perfection — each voice, however changed, is essential to the whole.
A central image in the lyrics is the campfire: a place of warmth, gathering and shared light. It symbolises the choir’s support for one another and the fire that singing helps keep alive.
The song takes its title from Westland Place in London where the Shout at Cancer Choir gathers to rehearse. In the Sacred Harp tradition, tunes are often named after meaningful places and this name honours the space where the choir’s community and voice come together.
Commissioned using Arts Council funding for the Shout at Cancer Choir’s 10th anniversery concert Shout at Cancer presents: Louder Than Before,
A central image in the lyrics is the campfire: a place of warmth, gathering and shared light. It symbolises the choir’s support for one another and the fire that singing helps keep alive.
The song takes its title from Westland Place in London where the Shout at Cancer Choir gathers to rehearse. In the Sacred Harp tradition, tunes are often named after meaningful places and this name honours the space where the choir’s community and voice come together.
Commissioned using Arts Council funding for the Shout at Cancer Choir’s 10th anniversery concert Shout at Cancer presents: Louder Than Before,
email: music@christiandrew.com
© Christian Drew 2025