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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • How to deal with unwanted talking during choir rehearsals without killing anybody

    Added January 10, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 5756 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I’m usually the last one to notice, but often when I’m teaching one section of the choir, there’s chit chat from the rest of the singers.   photo by Mel B.   It’s not necessarily off-topic and is often about th... read more

  • Looking forward/ Looking back

    Added January 1, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1450 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Time to look forward to the coming year.   with thanks to my lovely assistant Susie Mendelsson   Look back first to realise all the big mistakes you made, make a note of all those missed opportunities and unrealised dreams, then forwa... read more

  • Singing is for life, not just for Christmas

    Added December 24, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1594 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Hark the herald angels sing. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge. Slade’s Merry Christmas everybody. White Christmas on TV. Midnight mass at the local church.   photo by by Richard Croft   ... read more

  • Singer or chorister? Choirmaster or conductor? What do you call yourself?

    Added December 19, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 16324 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I’ve suddenly realised I don’t know what to call myself any more. I used to be a ‘choirmaster’ (a term I got from Gareth Malone and thought it sounded posh).     But when I’m not runninga choir what should... read more

  • What is YOUR choir horror story?

    Added December 11, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1575 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   A while back I wrote a post called Over-rehearsed or under-prepared: which is better? One of the comments got me thinking about things that have gone wrong for me in performance or rehearsal.   photo by by Jeremy Brooks   Then I thoug... read more

  • The lost generation of singers – why no provision for the under 50s?

    Added December 4, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1528 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The Sing Up programme for schools was set up by the UK government in January 2007 and was funded by them until April 2012. Their aim is to “give every child the chance to sing, with opportunities to develop their singing and performance skills.... read more

  • Singing and moving – at the same time!

    Added November 27, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 3945 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   From my experience with choirs and singing groups it appears that we are a rhythmically challenged nation.   photo by by The Failed Photographer   I often try to introduce a bit of clapping or some steps into our warm-ups and songs an... read more

  • Is community singing dead?

    Added November 20, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 2042 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many people look back to the good old days when we all used to gather round a piano and sing for hours, or join in a good sing-song down the local pub.   Singing round Grandpa's piano by betsythedivine   But – apart from footbal... read more

  • How to get the best from your singers: don’t tell them it’s hard!

    Added November 13, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1435 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   For the last eight years I’ve created a performance choir from scratch each year – a kind of Instant Choir, Just Add People – which I call a Singing Safari. A bunch of strangers come together for six two-hour sessions and I manage t... read more

  • How to have fun AND rehearse for your next concert

    Added November 6, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1785 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week I wrote about choirs that choose not to perform. None of the choirs or singing groups that I have run were formed as performing groups.   Stellenbosch University Choir South Africa   I’ve always made it clear that our ... read more