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  • Why our singing voices have different accents

    Added May 14, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1504 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many English pop groups in the 60s started off by emulating their cousins from across the pond and sang with an American accent. Cliff Richard still does!   Beatles mural - Croxteth Avenue, Litherland by Gary Rogers   Then The Beatles... read more

  • Learning to love the sound of your own voice

    Added May 9, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1247 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I recently wrote about some of the reasons why you might think you can’t sing.   Suessian megaphone by theparadigmshifter   One of those reasons is that you might not like the sound of your own voice, especially when it’s ... read more

  • Exactly who’s in charge of my choir?! – how to deal with change

    Added April 30, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 1572 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 part of a series of occasional Questions and Answers. Just contact me if you want to submit a question that I will answer in a future blog post.   A choir leader asks:   “The church I work for is presently in talks of ama... read more

  • Why can’t I sing?

    Added April 23, 2014 by Chris Rowbury - 3485 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 - 1355 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 - 3696 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 - 916 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 - 1266 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 - 2279 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 - 1463 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