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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Why learning songs with foreign lyrics need not be scary

    Added December 2, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 643 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]I teach songs from all over the world, often in foreign languages. But people are always asking me for more songs in English. Why is this? Especially since singers usually find the songs with English lyrics harder! why do singers want songs in Englis... read more

  • How male singers can successfully pitch from a woman (and how women can pitch from a man)

    Added November 25, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 582 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]As we saw last week, many singers struggle with finding (and keeping) their starting notes. photo by Albin Olsson What can make it even harder is if a man is trying to pitch from a woman, or vice versa. Here’s what happens and how you can overc... read more

  • Finding (and keeping) your starting note

    Added November 18, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 636 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]Many singers struggle with finding their starting note. Once they’ve nailed that, they’re off and it’s no problem. How can you make sure you’ve got the right starting note and, more importantly, how can you keep hold of it befo... read more

  • Neither fish nor fowl – why most singers don’t fit neatly into SATB boxes

    Added November 11, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 664 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] The fact is that most of us don’t fit neatly into SATB boxes. What are we to do? Once upon a time we used to sing together and somehow find a place for our voice. We’d even sing harmony parts, happily mixing male and female voices in eac... read more

  • Singing in a group is a learnt skill – if you find it hard, it doesn’t mean you can’t sing

    Added November 6, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 519 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Many people won’t consider joining a choir or going to a singing workshop because they believe they can’t ‘sing’. Yet ask them to sing something familiar like Happy Birthday and they have no problem. What’s going on here... read more

  • Whatever you’ve managed to do during lockdown, you’re doing great

    Added October 28, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 525 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I keep seeing virtual choirs on Facebook and hearing about amazing Zoom singing sessions. Photo by Virginia State Parks It’s hard not to compare and feel that you’re not keeping up. But whatever you’ve managed to do, you’re d... read more

  • Singing with masks: advice for choir leaders

    Added October 21, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 1115 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I wrote last week about how wearing masks might affect singers and how they can overcome any obstacles. This week I want to look at the impact on choir leaders. Choirs are starting to rehearse again, both indoors and outdoors. Many are insisting tha... read more

  • Singing with masks: advice for singers

    Added October 14, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 2674 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Choirs are starting to rehearse again, both indoors and outdoors. Many are insisting that their singers wear masks. Archway Gospelish Choir, Sussex What are the difficulties (if any) of singing while wearing a mask? Here in the UK, government guide... read more

  • How to be a bad choir director (it’s easier than you think)

    Added October 7, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 1092 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Ann read my post The six qualities need to be a good choral director and it sparked off a quite a rant. photo by bagogames She has obviously had a bad experience. I thought I would share it with you. leading by fear (and not encouragement) There a... read more

  • Your job as a singer is to get out of your own way and be in the moment

    Added September 30, 2020 by Chris Rowbury - 633 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I occasionally run workshops for members of my choir to help improve their singing technique. photo by Intel Free Press I realised whilst teaching that all the singers had the necessary knowledge already, it was simply a matter of reminding them to ... read more