Circle Singing is singing together at its most joyful and free — no sheet music, no stylistic boundaries, no experience required.

Popularized by the legendary vocalist Bobby McFerrin and his amazing vocal ensemble Voicestra, Circle Singing brings people together to spontaneously compose choral music in the moment, layering voices, rhythms, and melodies that emerge organically from the group. Whether you're a complete beginner, an experienced singer, or an adventurous vocal leader ready to step into the spotlight — you are warmly welcome.

I love improvisation and creating music in the moment. At the Basel Music Academy I completed a double major in jazz voice and saxophone, graduating in 2001. Since then I have been working as a musician and music educator. For almost 25 years I have been teaching jazz voice at the Jazzcampus Basel, as well as saxophone and other subjects at the Musikschule Binningen-Bottmingen. My students range in age from 4 to 85 – making music together across generations and levels is a central part of my work.

A formative highlight of my career was an intensive week in 2007 with Bobby McFerrin and his full Voicestra. In this circle singing context I was able to learn from these extraordinary musicians, including Roger Treece, Nicholas Bearde, Joey Blake, Dave Worm, Marlon Saunders, Pierre Cook, Rhiannon, Kirsten Falke-Boyd, Judy Donaghy, Sussan Deyhim, Beth Quist and LaTanya Hall. A very special moment was a spontaneous duet with Bobby McFerrin on ’Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk.

Two years later I was selected as vocal soloist for the European premiere of Bobby McFerrin’s improvised opera Bobble – an absolute artistic highlight. In the years that followed, I continued to learn in numerous workshops with Rhiannon, Joey Blake and Dave Worm and appeared as a guest soloist in their concerts in cities including Milan, Paris, Losone, Lörrach and Liestal.

I have also learned a great deal from Bob Stoloff, one of the great masters of scat singing, group improvisation and circle singing. All these experiences shape my artistic work and my pedagogical approach: allowing music to emerge in the moment, sharing it, and inviting people of all ages into a creative, playful and at the same time mindful musical process.

I offer workshops for small groups in Basel from 6 participants upwards, with dates by arrangement. You can start at any time.

I particularly enjoy working with choirs. For example, I can come to your choir concert and contribute a short solo set of my own; as a special highlight we then create a joint circle singing piece together in your concert.

I also bring circle singing into companies as a creative team-building event. And I am happy to come to your music school or music university to give workshops on vocal improvisation and circle singing.

I work with all levels – from beginners to experienced singers – and tailor each session to the needs and experience of the group.

Feel free to contact me at any time if you would like to host a circle singing event or workshop with me – in Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria or Italy:

Thomas Achermann

Schorenweg 82

4058 Basel

Switzerland

Phone: +41 79 373 51 16

Email: thomas@thomasachermann.ch

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