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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Want to sing but are scared of being judged? Here’s what to do

    Added December 12, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 844 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Sarcastic remarks from X Factor judges. Teachers telling kids to “stand at the back and just mime”. Being made to stand up and sing solo to get into your workplace choir. Scary!     And enough to put anyone off singing! How... read more

  • Songbooks and other resources for choirs (that will also make great presents)

    Added December 6, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1020 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I’ve written before about finding songs for your choir (Where do you find all your songs? and Easy songs for your choir and Finding songs for your choir). But times move on and new books get published all the time. Here’s a round up of... read more

  • Want to develop your voice and sing better? Be silly and play!

    Added November 28, 2018 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] Trying to increase your vocal range? Want to develop a richer tone to your voice? Puzzling over voice placement and timbre?   photo by The-Serene-Mage   Before you rush off to find a singing teacher, try being playful with your voice ... read more

  • Is one of your choir sections thin on the ground? 10 ways to find more singers to fill the gaps

    Added November 21, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 2097 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 in choirs where a particular section needs bolstering. In my case it’s a lack of altos, for others it might be too few tenors.     Here are 10 ideas for beefing up a particular voice part. Before you go to the tro... read more

  • Keep it to yourself! – why colds, singing and choirs don’t mix

    Added November 14, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1579 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] 'Tis the season to be poorly. A warm rehearsal room is the ideal place to spread coughs and sneezes, especially with all that deep breathing and standing close together.   photo by James Gathany   So what should you do when you come d... read more

  • Using feedback forms for choirs and singing workshops

    Added November 7, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 921 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] You get what you ask for, so be careful how you seek feedback!   photo by Howard Lake   When designing feedback forms, less is more. Here’s why. When I first started my own residential singing weekends I knew that I needed feed... read more

  • How to get your choir to pay attention to you (and stop chatting!)

    Added October 31, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1156 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] At the beginning of each choir rehearsal it’s as if the singers have not seen each other for years. They chat away, having a fine time of things.   photo by barçalunacy   Trouble is, you’ll have to put an end to tha... read more

  • How to sing – 10 habits of successful professional singers

    Added October 24, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1351 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] In my recent post How to sing – the definitive guide, I pointed out that lots of people Google “How to sing” instead of just getting on and doing it.   Garðar Thor Cortes by David   If you’re serious about ... read more

  • Your singing experience depends on how you feel, not just on what you do

    Added October 17, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 901 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] On the face of it, a workshop or concert can be a resounding success.   photo by Andy Armstrong   But ask individuals about how they think it went and some people will think it was terrible.   Sometimes I have to run a workshop... read more

  • Keeping choir attendance up – stick or carrot?

    Added October 10, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1987 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] As I wrote recently (It’s summer – where have all the choir gone??!!), patchy attendance at regular choir sessions can be very frustrating.   donkey photo by Clay Junell   If you’re a community, or amateur, or singin... read more