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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Singing – the more you do it, the worse you get!

    Added July 11, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1156 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   You work on a song in choir week after week, but slowly things seem to get worse. You worry about getting the words right, you can’t seem to remember the second part of the melody, your voice stops hitting the high notes.   photo... read more

  • Dress to impress – choosing suitable outfits for your choir

    Added July 4, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 6716 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   As many regular readers will know, I hate a choir in uniform.     However, it is a good idea to have some kind of unifying dress code and also to show your audience that you’ve made an effort. Here are some ideas to conside... read more

  • Taking over an established choir – a guide for choir leaders

    Added June 27, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1275 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Choir leaders don’t last forever so there will come a time when a choir needs to find a new one.     If you’re the person who gets the job it can seem daunting to take over a long-established choir. Here are a few tip... read more

  • How do you get to the truth of what your singing ability really is?

    Added June 20, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1018 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is often a mismatch between how good you think you are as a singer and what your abilities really are.     Some people vastly overrate their singing abilities (just watch X Factor!), whilst others with a fine singing voice ... read more

  • Choir? Chorale? Ensemble? What’s in a name?

    Added June 13, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 9102 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many of you know that I avoid using the ‘C’ word: choir. But there other similar terms that I find just as bad: chorus, chorale, chamber choir.     What’s in a name? What does it tell you about the singing group... read more

  • What makes a ‘good’ singer? – it’s all about context

    Added June 6, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1390 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Those of you who read this blog regularly know that I believe that everyone can sing. If you want to know more, you can read “Everyone can sing” – what the hell does that mean??!!   photo by Hollywata   Given t... read more

  • “Darling, your technique is showing” – don’t be a singer who is all style and no substance

    Added May 30, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 730 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It’s usually the case that professional singers have had some sort of training in a particular singing technique.   photo by Kevin Cease   But dontcha just hate it when that’s all you see when they perform??!! All st... read more

  • What to say if someone asks you if they can sing

    Added May 23, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 5401 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   A friend asks you to comment on their singing or asks you if you think they can sing at all.     What can you say without hurting their feelings or putting them off singing entirely? I wrote recently that you should never tell s... read more

  • When you sing, forget everything you’ve ever learnt

    Added May 16, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 992 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   In your singing lessons and choir warm ups you’re bombarded with exercises and technical advice about posture, breathing, enunciation, pitching, tension, placement and so on.     All good stuff. But when it comes time to si... read more

  • Teacher of songs or song polisher – which kind of choir leader are you?

    Added May 2, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 922 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   A while back I went to a singing workshop led by an internationally acclaimed workshop leader. I was very disappointed at the lack of teaching skills on display. But in the end the sound we made was amazing.   photo by Allan Harris &n... read more