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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • How to use your audience to recruit choir members

    Added June 28, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 2010 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 - 1854 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 - 4883 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 - 1828 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 - 1602 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 - 1336 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

  • Instant choir – just add people

    Added May 17, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1788 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Most choirs rehearse for months to perfect their songs before they perform.   the Big Night Out Community Choir for BBC Children in Need 2012   But there is an alternative: gather a bunch of strangers together, teach them a set ... read more

  • The only thing stopping you from being a better singer is ...

    Added May 10, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1794 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   ... YOU!   photo by Stephen Mcleod   Your job is to get out of the way and allow your unique voice to shine. Easier said than done. Recently I ran a course called Better harmony singing – the small group challenge. Before... read more

  • Stop chasing after songs for your choir – learn to respect, research and relax

    Added May 3, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1725 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There are people out there desperate to find more songs for their choir.   photo by Victor Grigas   They record everything at singing workshops, go to song swap sessions at every opportunity, exchange songs over the internet, an... read more

  • What exactly is the point of your choir?

    Added April 26, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 2645 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I often get people writing to me for advice about choirs. Some of them don’t agree with the direction their choir leader is taking them, some find the repertoire too hard, some have trouble with singers next to them singing out of tune, ... read more