“The sound artist Ruby Colley, whose brother is non-speaking, has created a touching reminder that people can express themselves in other ways”
Hello Halo
Hello Halo (title credit: Jon Cole ‘97) is a new new vocal work performed with Exaudi Ensemble, a leading vocal ensemble for new music.
This composition has been developed alongside Ruby’s brother, Paul Colley, who is neurodivergent & non-speaking.
Despite being termed "non-speaking," Paul uses a rich repertoire of sounds & gestures. This composition transcribes these communication methods, using live voice and recordings of Paul, to make a vocal map of Pauls life & relationships. It is an intimate examination of communication, both subtle and nuanced, and asks questions of what it means to be human.
Conducted by James Weeks, ‘Hello Halo’ is shaped by Ruby’s own (a neurodiverse musician) & her brother’s lived experience, but is aimed at both neurodiverse & neurotypical audiences.
Premiered at:
· Liverpool Philharmonic 3rd Feb
· Album is due for release in Summer 2025.
Hello Halo - Released
June ‘25
Artwork by Paul Colley
The title ‘Hello Halo’ is inspired by a painting by the late Jonathan Westlake Cole & it refers to a key word of Pauls "hello" that he's used his whole life.
It is the one word he has not lost. It is his means of connection and saying how he feels. The variations on “hello” is all about context, which has been woven into this piece.
How Paul says it, and to whom.
- ‘Whispered’ is a gentle invitation for connection & eye contact. It can also be a shyness. Usually reserved for people he likes the most or a way to inspire quiet connection.
- ‘Spoken clearly’ is when confident and in a good mood. “I am here and feeling good!”
- ‘Shouted’ as above but more! Usually when excited. Can be heard when Paul is out on a good walk in nature!
- ‘Loh’ – a lazy hello.
- ‘Helloooo…?’ Genial and almost sung with upward inflection.. this is reserved for his most loved people like his Mum.