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  • Do you need perfect pitch to lead a choir?

    Added May 6, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 1131 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.   A budding choir director writes:   “Last year I got involved with helping to lead a communit... read more

  • In praise of imperfection in art

    Added April 29, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 1003 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Some people just love anything that’s finely honed, all shined up, squeaky clean, highly skilled and perfectly rendered. Not me.     Give me imperfection and humanity any time!   darling, your technique is showing!  ... read more

  • Hearing ALL the harmonies – you sound better than you think

    Added April 22, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 1280 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   At the end of each of my one-day workshops I’ve recently started to record all the songs I’ve taught during the day. It’s nice for people to be able to take something away to remind them of the songs.     But one com... read more

  • Working with a big choir - challenges and solutions

    Added April 15, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 8389 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Size is in the eye of the beholder. How ‘big’ a choir is depends on the context of course, but working with a large group of singers in any circumstances can prove to be difficult.   Photo by -bartimaeus-   I recently sta... read more

  • Why singing is bad for you (and 7 reasons why you shouldn’t stop doing it)

    Added April 8, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 9485 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   People don’t often talk about the downsides of singing.     We constantly bang on about the health benefits, social aspects, etc. but seldom mention the bad bits.   Here are 7 terrible things that might happen to you if y... read more

  • The challenges of commissioning a new piece for your choir

    Added April 1, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 2259 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I find it hard to believe, but I started my choir WorldSong way back in October 1997. In 2007, we planned several events to celebrate our 10th anniversary.   photo by Foxtongue   One of these involved commissioning a song especially ... read more

  • Asking for sheet music in a ‘learn by ear’ choir

    Added March 25, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 1163 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. Philippa writes:   “How do you respond when you get asked directly for sheet music? I’ve had this a ... read more

  • Why tenors shouldn’t sing on their own

    Added March 11, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 2381 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many community choir members enjoy practising at home. And so they should.   Ernest Williams, tenor, Croydon Male Voice Choir by Philip Talmage   They sing out loud whilst washing up or mowing the grass, re-living last week’s c... read more

  • Starting a new choir: my story and what I have learned

    Added March 4, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 1595 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Having written about starting your own community choir, in 2011 I put my money where my mouth is and started a brand new singing group – my first in 15 years.     I learnt a lot from this process and thought I’d share with... read more

  • Are you tone deaf? Very unlikely!

    Added February 25, 2015 by Chris Rowbury - 2039 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Very, very few people are tone deaf. Tone deafness is an abnormality of the brain which can also affect the understanding of language and certain spatial abilities. So unless you are one of those rare individuals who are born with amusia or have suf... read more