I dedicate this piece to my friends in the composer/singer collective, the Ad hoc Chorale, who tested out this piece in one of our informal workshops and offered valuable comments. "How heavy lies the heart" has drawn inspiration from the traditional F...  moreI dedicate this piece to my friends in the composer/singer collective, the Ad hoc Chorale, who tested out this piece in one of our informal workshops and offered valuable comments. "How heavy lies the heart" has drawn inspiration from the traditional French Christmas carol, "Quelle est cette odeur agréable", which John Gay also set as a boisterous drinking song in the Beggar's Opera, "Fill every glass, for wine inspires us!" In addition, the song draws inspiration from Josquin's Missa Pange Lingua. In early 2018, I applied to be a participant at one of the Vancouver Chamber Choir's Interplay workshops funded by the SOCAN Foundation and to my delight I was accepted. "How heavy lies the heart" was one of the pieces that this amazing choir sight read for me on the spot. VCC director Jon Washburn and choir members then provided me with valuable feedback, for which I am very grateful. I would also like to acknowledge the a cappella choir that I sing in, The Stairwell Carollers, and our director Pierre M...    less

[The views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from 25 years of leading non-auditioned Community choirs in the UK, as well as adult singing workshops. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of songs from traditions across th...

We have an outdoor choir and baby/toddler friendly indoor choirs. We are welcoming, friendly and relaxed with no requirement for previous experience of the ability to read music.

[The views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from 25 years of leading non-auditioned Community choirs in the UK, as well as adult singing workshops. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of songs from traditions across th...

[The views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from 25 years of leading non-auditioned Community choirs in the UK, as well as adult singing workshops. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of songs from traditions across th...

[The views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from 25 years of leading non-auditioned Community choirs in the UK, as well as adult singing workshops. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of songs from traditions across th...

[The views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from 25 years of leading non-auditioned Community choirs in the UK, as well as adult singing workshops. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of songs from traditions across th...

[this is an updated version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Your church or Community centre sets up the concerts. Your committee deals with the finances and the social events. Your musical director teac...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I had a friend who moved to a new town and set up a new choir, blissfully ignorant of the 100+ Community chorus that already existed there.   phot...

[The views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from 25 years of leading non-auditioned Community choirs in the UK, as well as adult singing workshops. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of songs from traditions across th...