AÏM choral collective
a modular choir
The AÏM choral collective is an interfaith vocal ensemble that strives to support our connection to the divine with a diverse repertoire of sacred music. AÏM's ethos is rooted in the common source of all cultures and their rhizoming, embodied expressions, integrating various vocal traditions with their related societal and spiritual functions. Anaïs Maviel's artistic direction stretches our perception of what is musically and vocally possible with expansive vocal arrangements and site-specific stage direction.
before before & after after
a sound installation and choral ritual
In 2022, Maviel workshoped the first iteration of Before before & After after (B.A. BA), a sound installation comprised of 100 bells and immersive choral piece for 12 performers, with the Vedic cosmology of sound as a base. Another public workshop happened in 2023 at the Greenwood cemetery's catacombs. Communal singing is always welcome, although not explicitly prompted in AÏM's performances, so that to offer a sovereign experience to diverse audiences. Open rehearsals bridge our practice with audience members and vocalists who wish to collectively experience spiritually grounded and innovative vocal expressions.
bleu blanc black
with resonant bodies festival audience choir
Time is Due
an operatic installation in 2 acts
I dreamed a piece involving synthesizers and custom-made percussion instruments, played by an ensemble of vocalists/multi-instrumentalists—mediators between ancient, future and the multiple layers of relational archetypes one experiences in search of the essence of love. This is an operatic installation to the extent that emotional transformation and set design are the sails with which we explore humanity's journey towards compassion, with an unusual instrumentation with choral, percussive and harmonic superimpositions. This piece explores the stakes of relation as clues to self discovery and self love. Premiere workshop featured Anaïs Maviel, Rema Hasumi, Melvis Santa, Alexis Marcelo, Isis Giraldo aka Chiquita Magic & Shahzad Ismaily, all on vox, percussion & synthesizers. Lilleth Glimcher direction & set design, Jonathan Malm acoustic instruments design. This piece is yet to be premiere in its fully staged version. More info here.
the commons choir
multi-disciplinary collaborations facilitated by the prosodic body
mayday heyday parfait
A new investigative musical by The Commons Choir
“Isn’t it imperative/ to cross the sea/ to cross the street/ this time around/ to go straight to the wound/ and do not touch” (from the libretto)
The Commons Choir’s newest work, mayday heyday parfait, sets humanity’s troubles and highest aspirations to song, dance, and poetry, exploring the human capacity for empathy across difference. A diverse cast of 30 weaves a multi-layered narrative of complex musical harmonies and highly personal movement – from the violence of history that brought us to where we are now, to a way forward where individuals follow their own paths and yet still feel their connection to others. Like the title whimsically references: MAYDAY (distress signal, call for help) HEYDAY (period of great success) PARFAIT (French: perfect; layered concoction), our stories and our histories are irreducible and interdependent. Our collective force may be strong if we can find a way to undiscover ourselves and meet again.
The multi-year process culminated in a premiere performance and exhibition at BRIC Arts Media in Brooklyn, NY on November 9, 2017. The work is at the intersection of movement, voice, political economy and theater.
Composition Anaïs Maviel & Darius Jones, music direction Anaïs Maviel.
A new investigative musical by The Commons Choir
“Isn’t it imperative/ to cross the sea/ to cross the street/ this time around/ to go straight to the wound/ and do not touch” (from the libretto)
The Commons Choir’s newest work, mayday heyday parfait, sets humanity’s troubles and highest aspirations to song, dance, and poetry, exploring the human capacity for empathy across difference. A diverse cast of 30 weaves a multi-layered narrative of complex musical harmonies and highly personal movement – from the violence of history that brought us to where we are now, to a way forward where individuals follow their own paths and yet still feel their connection to others. Like the title whimsically references: MAYDAY (distress signal, call for help) HEYDAY (period of great success) PARFAIT (French: perfect; layered concoction), our stories and our histories are irreducible and interdependent. Our collective force may be strong if we can find a way to undiscover ourselves and meet again.
The multi-year process culminated in a premiere performance and exhibition at BRIC Arts Media in Brooklyn, NY on November 9, 2017. The work is at the intersection of movement, voice, political economy and theater.
Composition Anaïs Maviel & Darius Jones, music direction Anaïs Maviel.
photo credits Dar Es Salaam Riser