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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Polished songs or deeper learning experience – which is better in a singing workshop?

    Added January 11, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1659 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   At the end of each of my singing workshop I record the group singing through all the songs I’ve taught. I then make the recording available to the participants.   Photo by Dennis AB   But I’ve been getting comments a... read more

  • What small changes will make you a better singer or choir leader in the coming year?

    Added January 4, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1634 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is always room for improvement, whether you’re a singer, a choir leader, a choral arranger, a workshop leader or a choir committee member. But it can become overwhelming if you tackle everything at once and try to make too many chan... read more

  • Do you have to be a good singer to lead a choir?

    Added December 14, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 2099 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I read an article in the latest Sounding Board (the journal of community music from Sound Sense) about the University of Sunderland’s new BA in Community Music at The Sage Gateshead. Part of the course involves students “performing ... read more

  • How to build a choir from scratch in under an hour

    Added December 7, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 2615 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   A few years ago I was asked by BBC Radio Suffolk to create a choir from scratch to perform in a concert in aid of Children in Need: The Big Night Out Community Choir.     60 strangers gathered in a church hall and after just thre... read more

  • The secret to great singing that teachers don’t tell you

    Added November 30, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 4263 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is one vital ingredient to being a good singer.   Photo by Peter Smile   It’s not innate talent or vocal range or ability to read music or quality of voice. And it’s something that most singing teachers won&rsq... read more

  • Why do I end up singing the tune when I should be singing a harmony?

    Added November 23, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 2166 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   You’re learning a song in four-part harmony and you think you’ve nailed your harmony part.   © Copyright Basher Eyre and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence   But when all the other parts come... read more

  • Energy conservation for singing leaders: how not to get carried away

    Added November 9, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 1350 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week I wrote about how, as a singer, you can pace yourself in choir rehearsals and singing workshops.     This week I want to consider those of us who lead choirs and singing workshops. How can you avoid using all your energ... read more

  • How to pace yourself in choir rehearsals and singing workshops

    Added November 2, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 1712 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Have you ever been swept along by the enthusiasm of a singing session only to feel drained at the end or with a sore throat and aching legs?   Really, really tired by Evers' Project 365 Blog   Have you tried a full singing day o... read more

  • What do words add to music?

    Added October 19, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 1291 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I caught a scene from the movie Spartacus the other day. The character played by Tony Curtis was asked to perform a song. He then proceeded to speak a poem. What exactly is a ‘song’ then?     You can have music withou... read more

  • How will your choir cope if you don’t turn up?

    Added October 12, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 1184 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Everyone likes to think that they’re indispensable.     The truth is though, when you’re not there your choir will manage fine without you. Last week I was fighting a cold and then developed a painful tooth infection... read more