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  • Don’t stress about things you can’t control

    Added August 28, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1227 views - 0 comments
    I’ve just finished reading a remarkable book called The Art of Possibility. It’s jointly authored by Rosamund Stone Zander and her husband, Benjamin Zander, who is an orchestral conductor.   Ben Zander by p_c_w   In the book, Ben Zander tells an anecdote about absenteeism in a community orchestra. It certainly rang bells... read more

  • How audiences behave and how we respond

    Added August 21, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1393 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The way an audience responds can affect our performance. In the absence of feedback, our most negative thoughts can raise their ugly heads.   Bored audience by artfulblogger   If an audience is unresponsive, we can start to believe t... read more

  • Trust is the key to a great singing experience in a choir

    Added August 13, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 3213 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is a lot of trust involved in being a singer in a choir.     Trust that you will eventually learn the song; trust that, even if you’re slightly under-rehearsed, your musical director will guide you through the concert OK; ... read more

  • Helping new choir members learn the old songs

    Added August 7, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 2953 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   When a choir has been going for a long time and you want to revive some of your old repertoire, you will find that a lot of the newer members won’t know the songs.   Fun with babies by TedsBlog   With perhaps hundreds of songs ... read more

  • How to find new songs for your choir

    Added July 30, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1580 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I’m often asked by concert-goers and choir leaders alike:   “Where do you get all your songs from?”     Well, here’s the short answer to this simple question:   “From everyone and everywhere... read more

  • It’s hard to teach songs that people already know

    Added July 24, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1939 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   My real love is to teach a lot of relatively simple songs so people can spend more time singing and less time learning in a workshop (see We’ve come to sing, not to learn!).   photo by Lucius Beebe Memorial Library   But people ... read more

  • Traditional songs from the British Isles - residential singing weekend 21-23 November

    Added July 17, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1048 views - 0 comments
    There are now only FOUR rooms left on my singing weekend in Derbyshire this November: ONE double deluxe room, THREE doubles/ twins/ singles. Should be a fantastic weekend in a great part of the country. Book now to avoid disappointment! TRADITIONAL SONGS FROM THE BRITISH ISLES Friday 21 November 6pm to Sunday 23 November 2pm Alison House Intake... read more

  • Around the world in song - singing weekend in the Cotswolds 25-27 July

    Added July 17, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 910 views - 0 comments
    My singing weekend in the Cotswolds is shaping up to be a small (but perfectly formed) group of women coming together to sing amazing harmony songs from around the world. A great chance to do some small group work and really get to grips with those harmonies. Still some places left. No experience necessary. The food (and surroundings) are fabulous!... read more

  • How to enjoy singing and not worry what others think

    Added July 17, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1413 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   This post is part of a series of occasional Questions and Answers. Just contact Chris if you want to submit a question.   Here is a very familiar story.   Fred writes:   “I started singing at a very young age, maybe four or... read more

  • The value of concert reviews (and how to get them)

    Added July 9, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1349 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I don’t know what it’s like in other parts of the world, but here in the UK it’s notoriously difficult to get any kind of review of a concert in the press — local or national.   Newspapers by Ian Britton from www.free... read more