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  • Tackling complex song structure without written music

    Added October 16, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 2477 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 - 1969 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 - 888 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

  • Choosing the right songs for a concert

    Added October 3, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1980 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 Choosing a running order for your concert or CD.     This week I want to tackle the slightly easier task of selecting which songs the choir is going to perform.   look out, a concert is coming! Once agai... read more

  • Choosing a running order for your concert or CD

    Added September 25, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1819 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It’s only September, but many choirs are already thinking of their Christmas concerts. Christmas is also the time of year when choirs release new CDs.     Choosing songs is not too hard, but programming them in a sensible order c... read more

  • Does your choir respond to where it's based?

    Added September 19, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1409 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I lived in Coventry in the Midlands of the UK for almost 13 years (gosh, doesn’t time fly!), although I’m originally from South London. In 2010 I moved East to Suffolk.   Both my partner (who is an artist) and I aren’t linked... read more

  • Choirs: is old age an issue?

    Added September 4, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1440 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   This post is one of a series of occasional Questions and Answers that I do on my own blog. Just use the contact form if you want to submit a question.   After reading my post Over-rehearsed or under-prepared: which is better? Dawn contacted ... read more

  • Singing workshops: what is it you do exactly?

    Added August 27, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 2714 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Back in January I shared with you my journey so far of Becoming a choir leader.     Yes, I am a choir leader, and I have one community choir, The OK Chorale, but the majority of my living comes from running one-day and weekend singing ... read more

  • How can similar choirs be so different?

    Added August 20, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1066 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Over the years I have run choirs and singing groups all based on the same principles, but in different locations. The general mix of genders, ages, backgrounds, etc. tends to be very similar.     Yet each group ends up with a very dist... read more

  • The pleasures of being a choral director

    Added August 14, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 2325 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 the pleasures of being a choir member.     Choir conductor Marjukka Riihimäki by Kanttila   This week I want to write about the pleasures to be had from the front of the choir.   a finely tune... read more