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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Becoming a choir leader – it’s a long story!

    Added January 30, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 2411 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I realise that apart from my profile page on this blog, you probably don’t know much about me or my journey to become a choir and singing workshop leader. Well, now’s the time to reveal all!     Why am I telling you my story... read more

  • Music notation – do singers need it?

    Added January 25, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 3656 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I teach songs without using any kind of musical notation. Like other members of the Natural Voice Practitioners’ Network I believe that singing should be accessible to all so don’t require any musical experience from those who attend my ch... read more

  • Singing in the company of strangers

    Added January 16, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1031 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   “Being able to make 40 people who do not know each other sing so well together was amazing”   “An excellent day proving that 50 strangers can blend very well indeed in close harmony”   These are two typical co... read more

  • Among friends: the importance of support networks

    Added January 2, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1001 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   We are lucky that singing is a very social activity. Whether we are a choir leader or singer, we are amongst friends each week.     I'm different! by yewenyi   But being the one out front can also be a lonely place.   Many... read more

  • Best blog posts of 2012: have you read these yet?

    Added December 27, 2012 by Chris Rowbury - 1212 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   2012 is almost over so I thought it would be an idea to look back on my most popular posts of the year in case you missed any of them. Just click on the title to go to the full article.   10 reasons why people don’t join choirs (but lov... read more

  • Should singing together be a guilty pleasure?

    Added December 20, 2012 by Chris Rowbury - 1065 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Imagine going to Soho with a group of like-minded friends and gathering in a dimly-lit, subterranean private room with plush seats and stylish decor. Fully kitted out with all the necessary equipment along with a comprehensive cocktail menu, this shou... read more

  • Is singing together dying out?

    Added December 12, 2012 by Chris Rowbury - 2318 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Despite an apparent re-awakened interest in singing, we don’t sing together like we used to.     TV programmes like X Factor, The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent show how popular singing still is (but mainly they show us how ... read more

  • Singing and our sense of self

    Added December 5, 2012 by Chris Rowbury - 2177 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   In many ways, we are all defined by the songs we choose to sing. Our favourite ditties say a lot about our tastes, background, age, religion and culture.   photo by rgdaniel   Songs and singing help to define our very personality and s... read more

  • Does your singing voice reveal the real you?

    Added November 28, 2012 by Chris Rowbury - 5383 views - 2 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   We’ve all seen it: a timid, slouched, nervous person approaches the microphone. We expect disaster. They open their mouth and the most amazing, beautiful sound comes out. They transform before our very eyes into a confident, charismatic singer. ... read more
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  • Why basses can’t remember their part

    Added November 21, 2012 by Chris Rowbury - 3362 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It always seems to be the basses who forget their part. I used to think it was a bloke thing, but now I realise that there are good reasons why it’s hard to remember.     droning on The bass part often follows the root notes of t... read more