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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Why some singers find it hard to learn by ear (and what you can do to make it easier)

    Added January 31, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1352 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Some people really struggle when it comes to learning a song by ear. Often it’s singers who are used to using sheet music, but not always.   photo by bokeh burger   I’ll explain why I believe some people find it hard... read more

  • You can’t franchise charisma – why your choir leader is special

    Added January 24, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1508 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 pretty much anyone can lead a choir. Some do it better than others and some do it worse, but it’s not rocket science. However, your particular choir leader is special and brings something unique to your choir.   ... read more

  • Don’t peak too soon – effective rehearsal planning for your next concert

    Added January 17, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1087 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The OK Chorale have just started back after a long Christmas break. This term we’re working towards our annual spring concert. I need to plan an effective rehearsal schedule.     Our singers are all amateurs with busy lives... read more

  • 7 ways to share your choir’s singing without making a big performance of it

    Added January 10, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1230 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Some choirs don’t perform at all (see Choirs that don’t perform). But most choirs, at some point, will want to share their hard work with others.   photo by pyramis   It is possible to share your choir songs without ... read more

  • Looking after yourself in a busy concert season

    Added December 20, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1078 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   For many of us, this time of year is just one concert after another. It’s great to be doing so much singing, but it can have its downsides.   photo by Jonathan Lundkvist   If we overdo it, we can get ill or lose our voice.... read more

  • One unkind word can put you off singing for ever – how to protect yourself

    Added December 13, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1376 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There have been plenty of UK television programmes over the years which have involved solo singing auditions such as The Voice and X Factor. Comments about the standard of singing have sometimes been off-hand, sarcastic, and even cruel.  ... read more

  • Should you have auditions for a workplace or community choir?

    Added December 6, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1330 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Gareth Malone returned to UK television back in 2013 with a second series of The Choir: Sing While You Work. The choirmaster went into five different organisations to form workplace choirs which then competed against each other.   phot... read more

  • What motivates you to turn up to choir week after week?

    Added November 29, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1688 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   You can tell winter is on its way because it’s dark and cold when I set off for choir each week.   photo by Todd Shaffer   It would be much easier to stay at home in front of the fire, so what motivates you to wrap up warm... read more

  • How to deal with choir members who are always late

    Added November 22, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 2767 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It’s the final rehearsal before your big concert. The warm up is over and everyone is ready to go. But a handful of singers (the usual suspects) are not there. Late again!   photo by lunarnature   What can you do about tho... read more

  • Be the best singer you can, but don’t forget there’s more to life

    Added November 15, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 946 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   For some people being a famous singer or being in the best choir in the world or making a hit record or singing a piece perfectly in competition is the be-all and end-all.   photo by make little sharks   But if you take it too s... read more