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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Getting on with it even when you’re feeling rough

    Added November 3, 2011 by Chris Rowbury - 1091 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I’ve been rather under the weather lately.     I’m not after sympathy, but I did want to write about how we struggle with our work when we’re not feeling 100%.   time ‘off’ I had a short break ... read more

  • Low women vs. tenor men

    Added October 27, 2011 by Chris Rowbury - 9695 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is a lack of men in many community choirs (Why men won’t sing).     The Tenor by Paul Helm   One of the results of this is that the so-called ‘tenor’ section is mainly populated by women, or ‘lo... read more

  • Why my choir doesn’t sing songs from India

    Added October 20, 2011 by Chris Rowbury - 1588 views - 2 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The simple reason is that India doesn’t have a harmony singing tradition, and I specialise in harmony singing.     Photo by willsfca   The same goes for most other countries in Asia.   I’m also asked why we do... read more
    2 comments

  • Flash, bang, wallop! Photographing choirs

    Added October 13, 2011 by Chris Rowbury - 4611 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   One of the many bees in my bonnet is the photographs of choirs.     Photo by sludgeulper   I have yet to see a photo of any reasonably sized choir (say, over 30 members) which is of any interest to me whatsoever.   boring... read more

  • How to reach every choir member without repeating yourself

    Added October 6, 2011 by Chris Rowbury - 1502 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   A few years ago conductor Kenneth Woods posted an item on his blog, A View from the Podium, about the problems of having to repeat oneself constantly in rehearsals: As I was just saying.     Photo by vernhart   Why, oh why, can&... read more

  • Today I will be singing without using my voice

    Added September 29, 2011 by Chris Rowbury - 1225 views - 0 comments
    (the title comes from the young son of a friend of mine – I knew what he meant!)   [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Like many teachers, I often catch colds during the autumn term.     Photo by chrisdonia   Singers flock from all over and gather in ... read more

  • How long is the ideal choral concert?

    Added September 22, 2011 by Chris Rowbury - 12675 views - 4 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I don’t go to concerts much, especially not choir concerts. I find them rather long and boring.     Photot by ToniVC   But a few years ago I found myself watching a concert by the first choir that I ever formed: WorldSong.... read more
    4 comments

  • Why I started a choir

    Added September 15, 2011 by Chris Rowbury - 1183 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I love to sing harmony. In fact, that’s pretty much the only time I sing!     WorldSong choir, Coventry   But to do that you need other voices. And it’s quite handy if you all know some of the same songs.   Wa... read more

  • Conducting in the moment

    Added September 7, 2011 by Chris Rowbury - 1227 views - 1 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I watched a TV documentary the other day called How a choir works with Gareth Malone.   Photo by TheCamerons   At one point he talked about the role of the conductor. He said how it’s possible for the conductor to control things... read more
    1 comment

  • Why I don't like concert programmes

    Added August 31, 2011 by Chris Rowbury - 1179 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   People sometimes welcome a distraction from watching rows of identically dressed choristers singing with books in front of their faces.   Photo by garryknight   That’s where programmes come in.   Sometimes when we’v... read more