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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • The differences between a ‘natural voice’ choir and all the rest

    Added February 6, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 1396 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] You may have come across the term ‘natural voice’. You may also have realised by now that I am a member of The Natural Voice Network.     But what exactly is the ‘natural voice’ and how do choirs run on ‘n... read more

  • Beach Boys bonanza - residential singing weekend

    Added January 30, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 530 views - 0 comments
    Spend a fantastic weekend learning Beach Boys songs in glorious harmony in the beautiful Wye Valley.   Men especially welcome!     Friday 3 May 2019 5pm to Sunday 5 May 2019 2pm Dean Valley Manor (formerly Lindors Country House Hotel) The Fence St. Briavels Lydney GL15 6RB Wye Valley, Gloucestershire   Cost: £240 ... read more

  • Using world songs in the classroom: a teacher’s guide to sourcing songs and how to teach them

    Added January 30, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 1125 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Some teachers find themselves having to lead singing sessions at their school. But often they don’t have that much experience of teaching songs by ear or using songs from the world music repertoire (‘world songs’).   &... read more

  • Choirs and copyright: a beginner’s guide for the bewildered

    Added January 23, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 915 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] [NB this post is about UK copyright laws. Although the situation will be similar in other countries, the various copyright and performing rights agencies and websites will obviously be different] I wrote extensively about copyright way back in 2010 ... read more

  • How to increase your enjoyment of singing in the choir in the coming year

    Added January 9, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 1026 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I wrote a post a while ago called Ask not what your choir can do for you – ask what can you do for your choir. The more you put in, the more you get back.     There are plenty of practical things you can do to help you get more o... read more

  • Is how you label yourself as a singer holding you back?

    Added December 19, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 748 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] We all have an image of the type of singer (or musical director or choir) that we think we are. There are things that we can do and things that we can’t (or won’t) do.   photo by iamstarbuck   But what if the way we see ou... read more

  • Want to sing but are scared of being judged? Here’s what to do

    Added December 12, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 872 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Sarcastic remarks from X Factor judges. Teachers telling kids to “stand at the back and just mime”. Being made to stand up and sing solo to get into your workplace choir. Scary!     And enough to put anyone off singing! How... read more

  • Songbooks and other resources for choirs (that will also make great presents)

    Added December 6, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1058 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I’ve written before about finding songs for your choir (Where do you find all your songs? and Easy songs for your choir and Finding songs for your choir). But times move on and new books get published all the time. Here’s a round up of... read more

  • Want to develop your voice and sing better? Be silly and play!

    Added November 28, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1135 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Trying to increase your vocal range? Want to develop a richer tone to your voice? Puzzling over voice placement and timbre?   photo by The-Serene-Mage   Before you rush off to find a singing teacher, try being playful with your voice ... read more

  • Is one of your choir sections thin on the ground? 10 ways to find more singers to fill the gaps

    Added November 21, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 2136 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Many of us are in choirs where a particular section needs bolstering. In my case it’s a lack of altos, for others it might be too few tenors.     Here are 10 ideas for beefing up a particular voice part. Before you go to the tro... read more