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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Singing with masks: advice for singers

    Added October 14, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 2633 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Choirs are starting to rehearse again, both indoors and outdoors. Many are insisting that their singers wear masks. Archway Gospelish Choir, Sussex What are the difficulties (if any) of singing while wearing a mask? Here in the UK, government guide... read more

  • How to be a bad choir director (it’s easier than you think)

    Added October 7, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 1065 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Ann read my post The six qualities need to be a good choral director and it sparked off a quite a rant. photo by bagogames She has obviously had a bad experience. I thought I would share it with you. leading by fear (and not encouragement) There a... read more

  • Your job as a singer is to get out of your own way and be in the moment

    Added September 30, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 609 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I occasionally run workshops for members of my choir to help improve their singing technique. photo by Intel Free Press I realised whilst teaching that all the singers had the necessary knowledge already, it was simply a matter of reminding them to ... read more

  • Sing the intention, not the meaning

    Added September 23, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 687 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] We’re always told to focus on the meaning of the lyrics when singing a song in order to communicate it properly and to give some emotion to our delivery. But what if the lyrics are “lully lullay” or “fa la la” or what if... read more

  • What would you do differently if you were starting your choir today?

    Added September 16, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 435 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I have learnt a great deal since I started my first choir in 1997. WorldSong in Coventry, June 2000 If I were starting a choir again today I may well do things differently. my experience When I set up my first choir it was rather accidental. I had... read more

  • How to make plans for your choir when the future is uncertain

    Added September 9, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 970 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] The socially-distanced reopening of indoor performances in England was due to take place on 1st August, but the government then postponed it for at least another two weeks. With circumstances changing so frequently, how do you prepare for future conc... read more

  • How to keep your choir or singing business alive while it’s shut down

    Added September 2, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 788 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I started my first community choir over 20 years ago. I used to worry that, after the long summer break, the singers would have forgotten me and wouldn’t return to choir when it started up again. With choirs and singing groups not meeting in pers... read more

  • When did you last sing together? You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone

    Added August 26, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 2210 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] The last time I was in a room with a group of singers was nearly six months ago. If I had known then that I wouldn’t be singing like that for the foreseeable future, would I have behaved differently? The last time I directed a choir for a perfo... read more

  • How to draw out the reticent singers in your choir

    Added August 19, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 557 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] When a nervous singer turns up to your choir or someone comes to your singing workshop who’s never sung in public before, it’s all too easy for them to hide at the back. photo by Homini:) Here are some ideas for encouraging under-confiden... read more

  • “I’m a choir leader and sometimes I hate my job” – but that’s OK!

    Added August 13, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 500 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Sometimes the last thing I want to do is to drag myself off the sofa and go to choir. photo by Ed Van Brunt But it’s my job so I make the effort and usually it’s worth it. I used to worry that everyone else loved their job all the time, bu... read more