In early 2013, John D’Arcy formed the Belfast City Choir collective as a means to experiment with different techniques for composition, notation, improvisation and inclusive participation amongst vocalists of all abilities.
In late 2013 and early 2014, D’Arcy led a series of events that progressed from experimental concert performance to guerrilla street performance and participative events.
The first songbook was performed at Intercultural Platform AGM, Donegal County Council, Letterkenny – gathering lyrics from traditional Irish songs, theatre and Google Maps directions. [Songbook]
Performed at Culture Night Belfast 24 September 2013, Moving Song was a promenade performance of local literature and oral histories using a songbook of verbal scores and games. [Songbook]
On the Move took place as part of Open University’s Luminous Curious Journey Festival in November 2014. The audience was led on a walking tour through Belfast’s city centre for a series of site-specific improvisations. [Score]
In Literary Lunchtime (March 2014 – Ulster Hall, Belfast) audience members of all levels of experience participated in a 10-song performance of Northern Irish poetry and conversation. [Score]