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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • How do you get to the truth of what your singing ability really is?

    Added June 20, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1036 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is often a mismatch between how good you think you are as a singer and what your abilities really are.     Some people vastly overrate their singing abilities (just watch X Factor!), whilst others with a fine singing voice ... read more

  • Choir? Chorale? Ensemble? What’s in a name?

    Added June 13, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 9524 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many of you know that I avoid using the ‘C’ word: choir. But there other similar terms that I find just as bad: chorus, chorale, chamber choir.     What’s in a name? What does it tell you about the singing group... read more

  • What makes a ‘good’ singer? – it’s all about context

    Added June 6, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1425 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Those of you who read this blog regularly know that I believe that everyone can sing. If you want to know more, you can read “Everyone can sing” – what the hell does that mean??!!   photo by Hollywata   Given t... read more

  • “Darling, your technique is showing” – don’t be a singer who is all style and no substance

    Added May 30, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 745 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It’s usually the case that professional singers have had some sort of training in a particular singing technique.   photo by Kevin Cease   But dontcha just hate it when that’s all you see when they perform??!! All st... read more

  • What to say if someone asks you if they can sing

    Added May 23, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 5468 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   A friend asks you to comment on their singing or asks you if you think they can sing at all.     What can you say without hurting their feelings or putting them off singing entirely? I wrote recently that you should never tell s... read more

  • When you sing, forget everything you’ve ever learnt

    Added May 16, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1029 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   In your singing lessons and choir warm ups you’re bombarded with exercises and technical advice about posture, breathing, enunciation, pitching, tension, placement and so on.     All good stuff. But when it comes time to si... read more

  • Teacher of songs or song polisher – which kind of choir leader are you?

    Added May 2, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 930 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   A while back I went to a singing workshop led by an internationally acclaimed workshop leader. I was very disappointed at the lack of teaching skills on display. But in the end the sound we made was amazing.   photo by Allan Harris &n... read more

  • Can open-access choirs cater for every kind of singer?

    Added April 25, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 736 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   As a member of the Natural Voice Network I share their belief that everybody can sing and nobody should be excluded from music-making. Which is why no ‘natural voice’ choirs hold auditions or use unnecessary musical jargon.   ... read more

  • How to choose soloists in your choir: audition or self-selection?

    Added April 11, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1340 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Rather than everyone singing all the time, many choirs ring the changes by creating smaller ensembles within the larger choir or have occasional solos.   photo by Shelly Mags   In a non-auditioned, open-access choir, what is the... read more

  • Singing in a choir – balancing individual freedom with the demands of the team

    Added April 4, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 2385 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Those of us who love to sing often love to sing at the top of our voices. It’s joyous!   photo by William P. Gottlieb But when you’re part of a choir you have to rein in those tendencies for the greater good of the overal... read more