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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • 5 good reasons why joining a choir might not be right for you

    Added May 29, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 3441 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] We all know that joining a choir is a good thing to do. But it might not suit everyone. photo by Dave Pearce   Here are five reasons why it might not be such a good idea for you.If you are a singer who agrees with any of the following, th... read more

  • Should your choir perform live? – arguments for and against

    Added May 15, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 810 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] When I started my most recent community choir The OK Chorale back in 2011 I decided it wasn’t going to be a performing choir.     Brighton Vox, photo from atticglimpse.blogspot.co.uk   But inevitably, over time, we ended u... read more

  • How ill do you need to be before you cancel a performance?

    Added May 1, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 681 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Back in 2015 I was in bed for 10 days with a nasty bout of ’flu. For the first time in my 18-year career I had to cancel a choir concert.     In this case it was an obvious decision, but how ill do you need to be before you cance... read more

  • When you don’t feel like singing, that’s the perfect time to do it – sing yourself happy!

    Added April 24, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 859 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Many of us wait until the mood hits us before we do something. But often the doing something is what changes our mood for the better.     The saying “Don’t sing because you’re happy, be happy because you sing” h... read more

  • Copying music – how to stay on the right side of the law

    Added April 18, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 782 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I get regular emails from people asking questions about songs and copyright. I’m certainly no expert, but I have written a few articles that you might find helpful.     I’ve also just discovered something called The Code of... read more

  • If you don’t feel nervous before a concert or a singing workshop then something’s wrong

    Added April 10, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 1108 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I never sleep the night before running a singing workshop and I always feel terribly nervous before a concert – whether I’m singing or conducting.   photo by Francesco   But I wouldn’t have it any other way. The day ... read more

  • What if the singing session is a success, but you feel like a failure?

    Added April 3, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 736 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Sometimes we’re asked to lead a rehearsal or run a singing workshop or perform a song and we do our job very well. But afterwards we don’t feel particularly good about it.   photo by www.stockmonkeys.com/   What’s go... read more

  • What’s the best recording device to use in a choir rehearsal or singing workshop?

    Added March 20, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 1064 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] How long’s a piece of string? There are so many options that I’m not going to specify any particular type or model.   photo by svennevenn   However, here are some of the things you need to consider.   what to consid... read more

  • Recording during singing workshops and choir rehearsals – why, what and when?

    Added March 13, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 847 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I always teach songs by ear. Despite my strong belief in the oral/ aural tradition, there is an increasing number of handheld recording devices appearing in my singing sessions!   photo by Harris & Ewing [Public domain], via Wikimedia Common... read more

  • The singers who didn’t like warm ups (and what became of them)

    Added March 6, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 4479 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Once upon a time there were two singers: Olga and Little Erik. They  did not like choir warm ups. Olga always came late so she could avoid them. Little Erik did them in a half-hearted way with a scowl on his face.     What became ... read more