[this is an updated version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I wrote a while back about 10 ways to be a better Choir member. But what qualities do you need to be a good Choir leader?   Musical d...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is a lot of trust involved in being a singer in a Choir.     Trust that you will eventually learn the song; trust that, even if you&r...

[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 w...

Raising voices, raising spirits Ignite Gospel Choir was founded by Keara Sheeran... In Oct of 2008 I returned to the Jes church, the place I had grown up with my father running the folk mass Choir. He had retired 12 years previously. What was once a p...  moreRaising voices, raising spirits Ignite Gospel Choir was founded by Keara Sheeran... In Oct of 2008 I returned to the Jes church, the place I had grown up with my father running the folk mass Choir. He had retired 12 years previously. What was once a packed out mass full of joy and prayer, families and young couples, singles and religious, was now a quieter mass with no Choir and I saddened by this. I offered my services as a singer and musician to come and provide music for the 5:30 mass and within a few short weeks I returned to the place I consider my spiritual home. I had not purposely set out to start a Choir but people began to approach me with a desire to sing and it was a need within the community I was not going to Ignore. On the 12th Dec 2008 The Jes Gospel Choir was birthed with 5 singers and me & it was a wonderful experience and we received a very warm welcome. Within a year the Choir grew to over 15 members and some musicians. The wonderful thing about this Choir is that it is a Choir th...    less

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It is always difficult to find suitable venues for Choir performances.   photo by Ben Dodson   Churches are usually very welcoming (and oft...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Joining a new Choir is a bit like going to big school: it’s exciting, but a bit scary and it will take a while to learn the ropes.   p...

A Review of the The UK Choir Festival   As a complete newcomer to the UK Choir Festival, I was intrigued by what the Manchester event would deliver and how a room of 300 individuals could feel included. The answer is simple: energy, and by the...

"Now I Become Myself" by Gwyneth Walker. Text by May Sarton. Recorded live on May 3, 2015, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Performed by the Concert Choir ensemble of the Girl Choir of South Florida. Artistic Director: Wallis...  more"Now I Become Myself" by Gwyneth Walker. Text by May Sarton. Recorded live on May 3, 2015, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Performed by the Concert Choir ensemble of the Girl Choir of South Florida. Artistic Director: Wallis Peterson, Accompanist: Gayle Giese. Now I become myself. It's taken Time, many years and places; I have been dissolved and shaken, Worn other people's faces, Run madly, as if Time were there, Terribly old, crying a warning, "Hurry, you will be dead before--" (What? Before you reach the morning? Or the end of the poem is clear? Or love safe in the walled city?) Now to stand still, to be here, Feel my own weight and density! The black shadow on the paper Is my hand; the shadow of a word As thought shapes the shaper Falls heavy on the page, is heard. All fuses now, falls into place From wish to action, word to silence, My work, my love, my time, my face Gathered into one intense Gesture of growing like a plant. As slowly as the ripening f...    less

Choir of Hard Knocks 10th Anniversary ‘Hope and Inspiration’ Tour   Melbourne Street Choir Inc presents Choir of Hard Knocks With Founding Artistic Director Dr Jonathon Welch AM   Still Inspiring The World … 10 Years O...

The People's Show Choir West Bromwich is a community-friendly Choir. You do not need any previous music experience to be part of this lovely community. Imagine joining a Choir with no audition that offers professionally led rehearsals and a variety of res...  moreThe People's Show Choir West Bromwich is a community-friendly Choir. You do not need any previous music experience to be part of this lovely community. Imagine joining a Choir with no audition that offers professionally led rehearsals and a variety of resources to help you improve