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  • It’s hard to teach songs that people already know

    Added July 24, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1914 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   My real love is to teach a lot of relatively simple songs so people can spend more time singing and less time learning in a workshop (see We’ve come to sing, not to learn!).   photo by Lucius Beebe Memorial Library   But people ... read more

  • Traditional songs from the British Isles - residential singing weekend 21-23 November

    Added July 17, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1039 views - 0 comments
    There are now only FOUR rooms left on my singing weekend in Derbyshire this November: ONE double deluxe room, THREE doubles/ twins/ singles. Should be a fantastic weekend in a great part of the country. Book now to avoid disappointment! TRADITIONAL SONGS FROM THE BRITISH ISLES Friday 21 November 6pm to Sunday 23 November 2pm Alison House Intake... read more

  • Around the world in song - singing weekend in the Cotswolds 25-27 July

    Added July 17, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 903 views - 0 comments
    My singing weekend in the Cotswolds is shaping up to be a small (but perfectly formed) group of women coming together to sing amazing harmony songs from around the world. A great chance to do some small group work and really get to grips with those harmonies. Still some places left. No experience necessary. The food (and surroundings) are fabulous!... read more

  • How to enjoy singing and not worry what others think

    Added July 17, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1407 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   This post is part of a series of occasional Questions and Answers. Just contact Chris if you want to submit a question.   Here is a very familiar story.   Fred writes:   “I started singing at a very young age, maybe four or... read more

  • The value of concert reviews (and how to get them)

    Added July 9, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1278 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I don’t know what it’s like in other parts of the world, but here in the UK it’s notoriously difficult to get any kind of review of a concert in the press — local or national.   Newspapers by Ian Britton from www.free... read more

  • Singing Safari arrives after 6 weeks on the road

    Added July 7, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 749 views - 0 comments
    The Singing Safari has been on the road for five weeks now collecting exotic songs from all over the world. Just 6 days to go before we arrive at Holywells Park in Ipswich to perform the songs we've gathered. Tired, dusty and a few less people in our party since we set off on 3rd June: RIP Carruthers, Mansell and Dickinson. Thank god it was ... read more

  • How to make a song your own

    Added June 25, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1360 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   This post is part of a series of occasional Questions and Answers. Just use the contact form if you want to submit a question.       Blue Cat asks:   “How do you develop your own singing style or use your own voice w... read more

  • Why are there always too many altos in my choir?

    Added June 18, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 2581 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   At the start of term we have an equal number of singers in each part, but by the end of term, there are always too many altos (or sopranos or tenors – never basses)!   Smarties by gadl   Does anybody else have this problem with ... read more

  • How to recruit singers to truly reflect your local community?

    Added June 11, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1698 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Three years ago, for the first time in over 13 years, I started a choir from scratch. I put a call out to my readers for advice on how to recruit singers that would truly reflect the community they come from.   The Illuminated Crowd by Raymo... read more

  • Are ALL songs suitable for purely vocal arrangements?

    Added June 5, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 3412 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I’m always on the lookout for new songs to use with my singing workshops and choirs.   Sara Bareilles in concert by Anirudh Koul   There might be a stunning song that I’ve known and loved for years, but when I come to arra... read more