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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Process vs. product: are you along for the singing ride or just the final performance?

    Added March 28, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 914 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Learning and polishing a song can be a long process. Some people find it a chore and can’t wait to get to the end result: a public performance.     But others enjoy the ride, going deeper into the song, finding the nuances,... read more

  • Never tell someone they can’t sing – it is brutal, damaging and untrue

    Added March 21, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 86457 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Most of the people who come to my singing workshops are in their 50s and pretty much all of them have a story to tell about the time someone told them they couldn’t sing.   photo by TrueDragon13   Many of the stories date ... read more

  • Helping your singers learn to hold a harmony part on their own

    Added March 14, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 2782 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Singers in a choir are used to singing their harmony part surrounded by others singing the same thing. Holding a part by themselves in a small group seems like a real challenge.   photo by Eric Kilby   In this post I’ll sh... read more

  • What’s the opposite of a “Singing for fun” choir?

    Added February 28, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1219 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Certain people are rather dismissive of “Singing for fun” choirs. If it’s for fun then it can’t possibly be of any quality.     Then I got to wondering: what are their choirs like? What’s the opposit... read more

  • Avoid toxic choir leaders – the end does NOT justify the means

    Added February 21, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1460 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There are some workshop and choir leaders who work through fear. They are not particularly nice people, but they do get good results.   photo by Craig Sunter   Yet it is possible to work compassionately and with fun to get the s... read more

  • Joining an established choir: a guide for how choir leaders can help new singers

    Added February 14, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1298 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 the challenges faced by singers joining an established choir.   photo by fromcolettewithlove   This week I will look at what choir leaders and committees can do to make the transition easier.   my ... read more

  • Joining an established choir: a guide for new singers

    Added February 7, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 2316 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Joining a new choir is a bit like going to big school: it’s exciting, but a bit scary and it will take a while to learn the ropes.   photo by VisitCopenhagen   Here is a guide to help you take your first few steps as a new... read more

  • Why some singers find it hard to learn by ear (and what you can do to make it easier)

    Added January 31, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1403 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Some people really struggle when it comes to learning a song by ear. Often it’s singers who are used to using sheet music, but not always.   photo by bokeh burger   I’ll explain why I believe some people find it hard... read more

  • You can’t franchise charisma – why your choir leader is special

    Added January 24, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1522 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The fact is that pretty much anyone can lead a choir. Some do it better than others and some do it worse, but it’s not rocket science. However, your particular choir leader is special and brings something unique to your choir.   ... read more

  • Don’t peak too soon – effective rehearsal planning for your next concert

    Added January 17, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1126 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The OK Chorale have just started back after a long Christmas break. This term we’re working towards our annual spring concert. I need to plan an effective rehearsal schedule.     Our singers are all amateurs with busy lives... read more