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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Why can’t I sing?

    Added April 23, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 3516 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   “Why can’t I sing?” The short answer is: “You can. Everybody can.”   Choir of the Munich University of Applied Sciences by Mark Kamin   The whole of my singing work is based on the belief that everyone ca... read more

  • Your singing self vs. your everyday self – which is the real you?

    Added April 9, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1369 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   We bandy terms around like ‘authentic voice’ and ‘natural voice’ when we talk about singing.   photo by Jean Spector   But how do we know when singers are truly being themselves?   Remember Stacey Solomo... read more

  • I hate a choir in uniform

    Added April 2, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 3725 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many choirs dress identically when they perform. Some have a choir uniform, some choose a particular colour for a particular concert, some have specially made t-shirts. I have had occasional requests from my own choirs for some kind of uniformity whe... read more

  • The OK Chorale - songs of passion & joy from across the globe

    Added March 26, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 931 views - 0 comments
    Back for the second year running but hoping there will be no snow this time, The OK Chorale are delighted to present their annual spring concert at St. Mary’s Church, Woodbridge, Suffolk on Saturday 29 March at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 (£2 under 16s), all profits to the charity WaterAid.     Formed in Woodbridge in Januar... read more

  • How to get people back after the break

    Added March 26, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1275 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   We all know that singing workshops are just an excuse to string together a series of tea breaks and lunch breaks. And concerts are an excuse to have a drink during the interval and catch up with old friends.   Empty house by B Rosen   ... read more

  • A choir is a shining example of the perfect community

    Added March 19, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 2286 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last weekend I ran a singing workshop for 40 strangers. As always everyone worked well together (no prima donnas!) and we produced a wonderful sound at the end of the day.   Working together by lumax   I do workshops like this so ofte... read more

  • Finding a niche for ‘world music’ choirs

    Added March 12, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1495 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I regularly get emails out of the blue from various singing groups scattered across the globe asking for gigs. Recently I had one from a Russian ensemble, and before that one from a women’s group in the US. They all ask if I can help them to se... read more

  • The pros and cons of using churches for choir performances

    Added March 5, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1560 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It is always difficult to find suitable venues for choir performances.   photo by Ben Dodson   Churches are usually very welcoming (and often fairly cheap), but with their fixed architecture they can be limiting. There is also the pro... read more

  • When audiences applaud – or not

    Added February 26, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1366 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There are times when it’s not been appropriate for an audience to clap. Funerals and weddings are the obvious ones.   photo by Linda Thomas   But not getting applause can throw singers. Maybe it means they don’t like us! ... read more

  • The pleasures of the untrained voice

    Added February 19, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1384 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   In 2010 artist Susan Philipsz won the Turner Prize  for "a sound piece consisting of her own frail beautiful voice singing a Scottish lament over the black waters of the Clyde". When her nomination was discussed on the Culture Show on BBC2, Ben ... read more