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  • Use the long choir break to get better at what you do

    Added August 2, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 2038 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Most choirs have a long break at this time of year (whether it’s your summer or your winter).   photo by Timothy Valentine   Apart from missing the singing and your choir friends, what will you do with yourself? Here are s... read more

  • How to sing religious songs if you’re not religious (or it’s not your religion)

    Added July 19, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 3422 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I sing and teach sacred songs from a wide range of religious traditions. But I don’t have a religious bone in my body.   photo by 10x10 - Educate Girls. Change the World   I have no problems singing about ‘spirit&rsq... read more

  • Why does the first wrong note you learn stay with you forever?

    Added July 12, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1216 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Sometimes (yes, I admit it), I make a mistake when I’m teaching a new song. It may be a wrong note, wrong timing or wrong phrasing.     Yet even though I correct it quickly, this first mistake stays in people’s heads.... read more

  • Raising the bar: singing with people who are more experienced than you

    Added July 5, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 2203 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 are wary of attending singing workshops or choirs when we feel that people will be a lot more experienced than us. This is particularly true when you’re starting out as a singer, but that feeling never goes away!   ph... read more

  • How to use your audience to recruit choir members

    Added June 28, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 2168 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   To maintain a healthy, growing choir, you need new recruits, but often you feel like you’ve exhausted all your usual sources.   photo by Star File Photo (On the home front: Toronto in WWI, Toronto Star)   Here are some ide... read more

  • Ask not what your choir can do for you – ask what you can you do for your choir

    Added June 21, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1913 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Kirsten left a comment on my post How to be a good choir member.   photo by Brandon Cripps   She suggested that a good choir member should “go beyond the music”, i.e. get involved with the practicalities of running t... read more

  • Don’t try to help your fellow singers – it’s not your job!

    Added June 14, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 4944 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many’s the time I see Ann lean over to Gill (not their real names) to help her get her part right. And every time I see a pained expression on Gill’s face.   photo by m_culnane   She doesn’t want Ann’s he... read more

  • Two BIG ideas to create your perfect choir or singing experience

    Added June 7, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1879 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Singing is very simple really: you open your mouth and the sound comes out.   photo by chaosmunkey   But we often allow our heads (and doubts and expectations and fears and ...) to get in the way.   Here are two big ideas... read more

  • How can you possibly teach songs without a piano??!!

    Added May 31, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1651 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   “You can’t run a singing workshop here, we don’t have a piano.”   photo by Thomas Quine   It’s amazing how many people can’t get their heads around the fact that it’s possible to teach s... read more

  • 10 reasons why your next singing workshop should be a residential one

    Added May 24, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1367 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is something different and special about a residential learning experience.   photo by Martyn Gorman   A whole day of singing is great, but to spend an entire weekend (or even a week) with a bunch of like-minded people, ge... read more