TWO artists are using overheard voices, conversations and sounds to create a new piece of music inspired by the town and people of an east Durham town.

Johanna Linsley and Rebecca Louise Collins will be working with local community groups and members of the public in Seaham to gather snippets of conversations which will then be turned into a piece of music to be performed in the town later in the year.

Johanna said: “We’ve called the project ‘Stolen Voices’ as it’s all about listening, overhearing and the divisions between public places and private conversations.

“At the same time, we want to use listening to celebrate how sound makes a place unique.”

Specially-made computer terminals will be placed in public locations in Seaham, where members of the public can enter pieces of overheard conversations to be a part of the project.

Johanna and Rebecca are also carrying out workshops with various Seaham community groups over the next few weeks, where they will explain more about the project and how people can get involved.

People can use the Stolen Voices computer terminal in Seaham Library to submit overheard conversations throughout April.

Newcastle-based composer Mariam Rezaie will then work with the artists on creating the piece of music, which will be performed at an event on Sunday May 8 at the Roobarb ‘n Custard café.

Stolen Voices is supported using public funding by Arts Council England, in partnership with East Durham Creates, Helix Arts and Sound & Music.

For more details contact yourstolenvoice@gmail.com.