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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • The secret to great singing that teachers don’t tell you

    Added November 30, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 4279 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is one vital ingredient to being a good singer.   Photo by Peter Smile   It’s not innate talent or vocal range or ability to read music or quality of voice. And it’s something that most singing teachers won&rsq... read more

  • Why do I end up singing the tune when I should be singing a harmony?

    Added November 23, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 2189 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   You’re learning a song in four-part harmony and you think you’ve nailed your harmony part.   © Copyright Basher Eyre and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence   But when all the other parts come... read more

  • Energy conservation for singing leaders: how not to get carried away

    Added November 9, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 1358 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week I wrote about how, as a singer, you can pace yourself in choir rehearsals and singing workshops.     This week I want to consider those of us who lead choirs and singing workshops. How can you avoid using all your energ... read more

  • How to pace yourself in choir rehearsals and singing workshops

    Added November 2, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 1749 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Have you ever been swept along by the enthusiasm of a singing session only to feel drained at the end or with a sore throat and aching legs?   Really, really tired by Evers' Project 365 Blog   Have you tried a full singing day o... read more

  • What do words add to music?

    Added October 19, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 1299 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I caught a scene from the movie Spartacus the other day. The character played by Tony Curtis was asked to perform a song. He then proceeded to speak a poem. What exactly is a ‘song’ then?     You can have music withou... read more

  • How will your choir cope if you don’t turn up?

    Added October 12, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 1193 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Everyone likes to think that they’re indispensable.     The truth is though, when you’re not there your choir will manage fine without you. Last week I was fighting a cold and then developed a painful tooth infection... read more

  • How to plan your new choir season

    Added October 5, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 1537 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It’s that time of year again. Summer is over and choir starts back. We choir leaders will be thinking about which songs to teach for the next season.     How do we go about planning each term? What guidelines are there for ... read more

  • How close should a vocal arrangement be to the original song?

    Added September 28, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 1129 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Some years ago I did some voice-only arrangements of Queen songs for a weekend workshop. I ended up listening to a lot of Queen recordings!     It made me wonder: how close do you need to stick to the original recordings when doi... read more

  • Easy songs for your choir 2: rounds, chants, call & response

    Added September 21, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 7232 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week I wrote about what makes a song ‘easy’.     This week I’ll look at specific types of easy songs: rounds, chants and call & response songs.   rounds The easiest songs to start with if you want t... read more

  • Easy songs for your choir 1: what is ‘easy’?

    Added September 15, 2016 by Chris Rowbury - 5892 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   This post is part of a series of occasional Questions and Answers. Just use the contact form if you want to submit a question.     Linda writes:   “Because I like to sing, my work has asked me to do a lunch time fun s... read more