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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Working with a big choir - challenges and solutions

    Added April 15, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 7949 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Size is in the eye of the beholder. How ‘big’ a choir is depends on the context of course, but working with a large group of singers in any circumstances can prove to be difficult.   Photo by -bartimaeus-   I recently sta... read more

  • Why singing is bad for you (and 7 reasons why you shouldn’t stop doing it)

    Added April 8, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 9084 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   People don’t often talk about the downsides of singing.     We constantly bang on about the health benefits, social aspects, etc. but seldom mention the bad bits.   Here are 7 terrible things that might happen to you if y... read more

  • The challenges of commissioning a new piece for your choir

    Added April 1, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 2149 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I find it hard to believe, but I started my choir WorldSong way back in October 1997. In 2007, we planned several events to celebrate our 10th anniversary.   photo by Foxtongue   One of these involved commissioning a song especially ... read more

  • Asking for sheet music in a ‘learn by ear’ choir

    Added March 25, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 1032 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post 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. Philippa writes:   “How do you respond when you get asked directly for sheet music? I’ve had this a ... read more

  • Why tenors shouldn’t sing on their own

    Added March 11, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 2260 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many community choir members enjoy practising at home. And so they should.   Ernest Williams, tenor, Croydon Male Voice Choir by Philip Talmage   They sing out loud whilst washing up or mowing the grass, re-living last week’s c... read more

  • Starting a new choir: my story and what I have learned

    Added March 4, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 1395 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Having written about starting your own community choir, in 2011 I put my money where my mouth is and started a brand new singing group – my first in 15 years.     I learnt a lot from this process and thought I’d share with... read more

  • Are you tone deaf? Very unlikely!

    Added February 25, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 1857 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Very, very few people are tone deaf. Tone deafness is an abnormality of the brain which can also affect the understanding of language and certain spatial abilities. So unless you are one of those rare individuals who are born with amusia or have suf... read more

  • Using sheet music to teach and learn songs: pros and cons

    Added February 18, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 1966 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last time I looked at what music notation is for and if you need it to sing.   Sight reading by discopalace   This week I’d like to lay out what I think are the benefits and shortfalls of using sheet music to teach and learn so... read more

  • Music notation: what is it good for and do we need it to sing?

    Added February 4, 2015 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]   Do you have to be able to read music to sing? Lots of people believe so and are put off joining choirs, or even singing at all, as a result.     I don’t use written music when I teach, but does that mean I am limited in what I c... read more

  • Standing up for your choir (or do you use chairs and sit down?)

    Added January 29, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 1913 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   To sit or not to sit, that is the question. Whether ‘tis better to be standing whilst singing, or to rest one’s weary bottom on the nearest chair.   Photo by Malingering   I’ve tried both standing and sitting, and t... read more