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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • The lost generation of singers – why no provision for the under 50s?

    Added December 4, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1532 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The Sing Up programme for schools was set up by the UK government in January 2007 and was funded by them until April 2012. Their aim is to “give every child the chance to sing, with opportunities to develop their singing and performance skills.... read more

  • Singing and moving – at the same time!

    Added November 27, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 3953 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   From my experience with choirs and singing groups it appears that we are a rhythmically challenged nation.   photo by by The Failed Photographer   I often try to introduce a bit of clapping or some steps into our warm-ups and songs an... read more

  • Is community singing dead?

    Added November 20, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 2051 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many people look back to the good old days when we all used to gather round a piano and sing for hours, or join in a good sing-song down the local pub.   Singing round Grandpa's piano by betsythedivine   But – apart from footbal... read more

  • How to get the best from your singers: don’t tell them it’s hard!

    Added November 13, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1441 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   For the last eight years I’ve created a performance choir from scratch each year – a kind of Instant Choir, Just Add People – which I call a Singing Safari. A bunch of strangers come together for six two-hour sessions and I manage t... read more

  • How to have fun AND rehearse for your next concert

    Added November 6, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1805 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week I wrote about choirs that choose not to perform. None of the choirs or singing groups that I have run were formed as performing groups.   Stellenbosch University Choir South Africa   I’ve always made it clear that our ... read more

  • Choirs that don’t perform - why on earth not??!!

    Added October 30, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1272 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week I wrote about Audiences at choral concerts.   Sangstream rehearsal by fiddledidee   But what if your choir doesn’t perform?   choirs don't have to perform When I started my first community choir back in 1997, t... read more

  • Audiences at choral concerts: who are they?

    Added October 23, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1879 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   In July 2010, after ten years leading Woven Chords, we had our final concert together.   Little old ladies by Arty Smokes   As always, we had hoped for a full house packed with an enthusiastic audience. But we ended up with around 60 ... read more

  • Tackling complex song structure without written music

    Added October 16, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 2486 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The choirs and workshops that I lead are run on the principle that music should be accessible to all. This means that I don’t use written music to teach since I can’t assume that everyone can read music.   Map of the structure of... read more

  • Why do we stop singing when we grow up?

    Added October 9, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1978 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The average age of people who attend the choirs and workshops that I run must be around 50. I would say that about a third of any group is of retirement age, and the majority of the rest are in their early 40s to late 50s.     photo by... read more

  • Improve your harmony singing - residential weekend in Cambridgeshire

    Added October 3, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 901 views - 0 comments
    This weekend filled up really fast last year, and even though it's not until next May, over half the places have already gone!   Full details and booking form on my website: chrisrowbury.com   BETTER HARMONY SINGING — THE SMALL GROUP CHALLENGE Friday 2 May 2014 5pm to Sunday 4 May 2014 2pm The Claret Centre, Buckden Towers Hig... read more