Commotio is one of Oxford's foremost chamber choirs, formed in August 1999 to provide a refreshing alternative to the more readily available repertoire offered by most other choral groups, performing primarily lesser known material of the 20th and 21st ce...  moreCommotio is one of Oxford's foremost chamber choirs, formed in August 1999 to provide a refreshing alternative to the more readily available repertoire offered by most other choral groups, performing primarily lesser known material of the 20th and 21st centuries. Matthew Berry, the founder and conductor of the choir, enthusiastically promotes the work of a younger generation of composers, as well as bringing to the fore little-known works of more established writers. In short, Commotio offers singers and audiences alike something a little different.  less

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week I wrote about Audiences at choral concerts.   Sangstream rehearsal by fiddledidee   But what if your choir doesn’t perform?...

Marsilio Ficino (1433-1498), Florentine philosopher wrote a wonderful sentence: “Music is nothing more than a Decoration of Silence”. What a wonderful statement.  Shall we take it to the choir?   Undoubtedly silence is in many way...

It takes a fair bit of engery and time to run any choir...nobody would disagree I hope!   Sometimes it's important to take stock and look at goals for growth and what tasks can be shared with others. For me, with 3 choirs and a more than full time ...

From 24th - 26th April 2020 Belgrade will welcome once again choirs from across the world for an international competition for a celebration of choral music in all its many forms. Closing date for applications is 24 January 2020. Find out more at http://w...  moreFrom 24th - 26th April 2020 Belgrade will welcome once again choirs from across the world for an international competition for a celebration of choral music in all its many forms. Closing date for applications is 24 January 2020. Find out more at http://www.wearesinging.org/victoria-singingdunum1.html All musical styles/genres are welcome! ▶︎ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WeAreSinging/ ▶︎ Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeAreSinging event@wearesinging.org  

Got 2 Sing is an inspirational group of community choirs across the Midlands in Stourbridge, Bewdley and Kidderminster, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Bromsgrove, Telford, Shrewsbury, Hereford and Cheltenham. We sing popular songs in at least three part harmo...  moreGot 2 Sing is an inspirational group of community choirs across the Midlands in Stourbridge, Bewdley and Kidderminster, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Bromsgrove, Telford, Shrewsbury, Hereford and Cheltenham. We sing popular songs in at least three part harmony and add performance techniques to bring them to life. A weekly hour and a half rehearsal begins with a singing lesson and warm up that provides members with the vocal skills and techniques they need to sing amazing songs from the world of pop, rock and musical theatre including songs from Adele, Take That, Erasure and many more favourite artists. The lessons are led by our experienced choir leaders who are professional performers themselves and who are skilled at teaching singing and performance. Anyone can join! No experience necessary, there's no audition and members don't need to be able to read music - they don't even need to have a great voice - just a love of singing! Rehearsals are relaxed and fun with no pressure. Learning is by ear and demonst...    less

Since a long time Rome has been host city for choirs and singers from all over the world, who not only love sacred music but also the idea of coming together in the eternal city and center of choral music. Inspired by a vibrant atmosphere of friendship e...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   In open-access choirs (which don’t audition), you often find one or two singers who struggle to pitch notes accurately.   photo by Jes...

Please tell us what makes festivals held under the brand Fiestalonia so popular.  - As an organiser of international choral festivals and competitions, Fiestalonia appeared as a result of our enthusiastic work, constant search for new ideas and the ...

When I was a junior in College, my mother was fighting breast cancer and my way of coping with it was to write a choral piece for her. I wrote “Pour Toi, Mère” (For You, Mother) which premiered at my senior composition recital. A few years later, Kevin F...  moreWhen I was a junior in College, my mother was fighting breast cancer and my way of coping with it was to write a choral piece for her. I wrote “Pour Toi, Mère” (For You, Mother) which premiered at my senior composition recital. A few years later, Kevin Fenton programmed that piece for his choir at FSU. He shared with me his strong connection with the piece at a time when his sister-in-law, Peggy Fenton was also fighting breast cancer. Sadly, Peggy Fenton lost her fight with cancer in 2009. That same year Kevin contacted me and asked if I would write a piece in her memory for her husband and her two daughters. He shared with me a video of a presentation she did at the Mother’s Day banquet at her church, just a few days before her passing. The title of her presentation was “From Hats to Crown”. She shared stories about her life and the many relationship roles one plays: as a daughter, a sister, as a wife, a mother and a teacher. As she talked about each role she wore a different hat. She ended with a crown, shar...    less