Why would anyone bother to join a choir? Why would somebody ever want to do that? Most of us will remember some experience Singing at school- be it good or bad- the national anthem, some song for a concert or a play with a song, a teacher strumming a ...

If you're a beginner singer and you've just joined a choir, this article is written for you. Maybe you joined the choir because you wanted to test the waters. Maybe you're just too nervous to sing on your own. Or maybe you jsut enjoy Singing with like mi...

The internationally acclaimed Wartburg Choir performs sacred music from all historical periods and styles and often premieres new works of contemporary composers. Called a “mighty fortress of skill” by the Washington Post, the Wartburg Choir is one of thr...  moreThe internationally acclaimed Wartburg Choir performs sacred music from all historical periods and styles and often premieres new works of contemporary composers. Called a “mighty fortress of skill” by the Washington Post, the Wartburg Choir is one of three college musical ensembles that tour internationally on a triennial basis. Beyond tours, the choir receives invitations for special appearances in the United States and abroad, most recently to participate in the December 2011 White House Holiday Concert Series. As part of that trip to Washington, D.C., the choir also sang at the National Cathedral’s Bethlehem Prayer Service, which was simulcast worldwide. In 2006, the choir performed with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra in Prague at the invitation of Maestro Paul Freeman, CNSO music director and chief conductor, who had attended Wartburg Choir concert at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. During the past 20 years, the choir has appeared in such prestigious concert halls as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D...    less

The Junges Vokalensemble Hannover was founded in 1981 by its artistic director Prof. Klaus-Jürgen Etzold. The choir consists of about 60 female and male singers. Many of the members are active and former students of the University of Music, Drama and Medi...  moreThe Junges Vokalensemble Hannover was founded in 1981 by its artistic director Prof. Klaus-Jürgen Etzold. The choir consists of about 60 female and male singers. Many of the members are active and former students of the University of Music, Drama and Media Hannover, but other professions are represented as well, and all singers are united in their wide choral experience and their joy in Singing challenging works together. The performance of a wide range of a cappella works, some of them quite unknown, forms an important emphasis of the choir. In addition to sacred and secular a cappella music of the 15th century until today, the choir performs cantatas, masses, oratorios, and passions. Many compositions were broadcast for radio stations or published on CD. The choir has recorded ten CDs and performed several world premieres of contemporary compositions, e.g. by Büsing, Dinescu, Fuchs and Wangenheim. In 2010 the choir received the ECHO KLASSIK award for the CD "Glaubenslieder", the hi...    less

The Beaufort Singers is a chamber choir formed at the University of Cambridge in 2016 under the direction of Joseph Wicks. Named after Lady Margaret Beaufort who founded St John’s College, Cambridge, the choir cultivated a powerful and expressive sound co...  moreThe Beaufort Singers is a chamber choir formed at the University of Cambridge in 2016 under the direction of Joseph Wicks. Named after Lady Margaret Beaufort who founded St John’s College, Cambridge, the choir cultivated a powerful and expressive sound combined with a clear, committed delivery of text. The membership comprises singers from across the UK embarking upon the early stages of their careers. Amongst its seminal projects were performances of James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words From The Cross and Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil. It is also hugely passionate about investing in the future of choral music and has regularly commissioned new works from young composers such as Piers Kennedy (April & Nunc Dimittis) and Owain Park (For The Fallen). In 2018, The Beaufort Singers and Joseph Wicks founded the Boxgrove Choral Festival which gave the choir its new home. After its enforced cancellation last year, 2021 saw the Festival’s return and its presentation online for the first time.  less

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Men and women’s voices are different.     Obvious really, but it’s something many singers find it difficult to come to terms wit...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I’ve written before about how you can use the long choir break to get better at what you do.   photo by troy   One way is to attend sin...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] When a nervous singer turns up to your choir or someone comes to your Singing workshop who’s never sung in public before, it’s all too easy for th...

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I used to lead a women’s Singing group. We tried a Bob Marley song once. One of the singers used to say: “If it sounds like the Women’s In...

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many people look back to the good old days when we all used to gather round a piano and sing for hours, or join in a good sing-song down the local pub. &n...