[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   there is often a mismatch between how good you think you are as a singer and what your abilities really are.     Some people vastly ov...

the World Youth Choir is one of the most original and important choirs that exists nowadays. Made of Young singers between the ages of 17 and 26 from different nationalities, the World Youth Choir is a remarkable educational and social experience through ...

With a sound hailed as 'unspeakably beautiful' by Gramophone, the Rodolfus Choir has established itself firmly over a period of thirty years as one of the leading Young choirs in the United Kingdom. During this time they have developed a reputation for t...  moreWith a sound hailed as 'unspeakably beautiful' by Gramophone, the Rodolfus Choir has established itself firmly over a period of thirty years as one of the leading Young choirs in the United Kingdom. During this time they have developed a reputation for their commitment to the highest level of musicality. Comprising some of the finest Young singers in the country, members of the choir are all alumni of the Eton Choral Courses. Conducted by their founder Ralph Allwood, the sound of the choir is a reflection of their profound sensitivity to text, blend and phrasing. they use imaginative programming, and have become known for their innovative and exciting performances and their extensive array of recordings. the most recent addition to this catalogue will be released in November 2013, and features works by Paul Mealor and Benjamin Britten. As well as regular broadcasts on BBC Radio, the Rodolfus Choir is developing an increasing profile for work on film and television. Recent projects have included working wi...    less

About us/our coming CD: Crossover projects are the hallmark of the Sonux Ensemble. Together with the jazz-saxophonist Stefan Kuchel and the Sirius Quartet, the Young men's choir performs contemporary works. the Quartet members describe themselves as arti...  moreAbout us/our coming CD: Crossover projects are the hallmark of the Sonux Ensemble. Together with the jazz-saxophonist Stefan Kuchel and the Sirius Quartet, the Young men's choir performs contemporary works. the Quartet members describe themselves as artists of improvisation who break out of the conventional vocabulary of sound for a string quartet. Most pieces on this CD were written especially for the Sonux Ensemble, and thus composed to the singers' strengths. "We have worked on these pieces together with the composers, and given them their first performances over the course of the last five years. This disc features only world premiere recordings and, literally, unheard of choral music, " the choir's director Hans-Joachim Lustig notes. the works recorded on this CD focus on the topics of light and love. the eponymous poem by Charles Anthony Silvestri that lends its title to the disc frames and connects the two topics. Silvestri wrote the text in 2012, exclusively for this project. Hans-Joachim L...    less

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Occasionally I give questionnaires to choir members in order to get feedback on how people are finding the weekly sessions, what songs they like best, how ...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] A while back I went to a workshop run by the amazing Su Hart who has spent around 25 years working with the Baka people of Central Africa. Living in the ra...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] With far fewer people around at the moment, I am starting to hear things that I don’t normally notice. It made me realise that in our usually busy dail...

New a cappella group the Refrains are quickly establishing themselves on the thriving a cappella scene in London. the group is made up of twenty-somethings (mostly!) who are Young professionals living in London. Founded by singers and beatboxers from the...  moreNew a cappella group the Refrains are quickly establishing themselves on the thriving a cappella scene in London. the group is made up of twenty-somethings (mostly!) who are Young professionals living in London. Founded by singers and beatboxers from the likes of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, Last Choir Standing and Britain's Got Talent favourites Out of the Blue, the group’s repertoire spans from Billy Joel to the Black Eyed Peas, via pop, jazz, barbershop, rap and original composition as they offer a programme of sumptuous jazz arrangements, genre jumping covers and assorted originals. Following a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Refrains enjoyed a sold-out London debut at the Forge, Camden. Recent gigs have included the London A Cappella Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Silver Bullet and private events. In 2012 amongst others gigs, the group look forward to performing at Spitalfields Summer Music Festival & Kings Place Festival. ‘From their firs...    less

We are a dynamic Young a cappella group founded in october 2013 in Budapest. Our goal is to show today's choir music is not just for the choir fans but for everybody out there, that's why we call ourselves Street Art. We have different jobs but we have th...  moreWe are a dynamic Young a cappella group founded in october 2013 in Budapest. Our goal is to show today's choir music is not just for the choir fans but for everybody out there, that's why we call ourselves Street Art. We have different jobs but we have the same passion: singing together! Spirituals, great classics, soundtracks or rock music… the main thing is to put quality any little bit of craziness together.  

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   And I mean English … not Irish or Welsh or Scottish. How is it possible to have an unplanned, spontaneous and genuine gathering of people who sing t...