Smoke gets in your eyes - Kern From the Les Sirènes Summer Concert - 26/06/11.

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   From my experience with choirs and singing groups it appears that we are a rhythmically challenged nation.   photo by by The Failed Photographer ...

Budapest International Choir Festival and Competition - a milestone in the history of choral competitions. Since 1988, choirs are magnetized to join every second year. With an experience of almost 30 years meeting music has focused on improving its ev...

An excerpt from movement III of my Requiem performed by the Orlando chamber Singers under the direction of Gregory Ruffer. In Flanders Fields by John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our p...  moreAn excerpt from movement III of my Requiem performed by the Orlando chamber Singers under the direction of Gregory Ruffer. In Flanders Fields by John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. photos courtesy of FreeFoto http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp  less

Singkronies chamber Choir performing Greg Jasperse' Voice Dance at the 40th Tolosa International Choral Competition in Spain, conducted by its founder, Dr Johann van der Sandt.

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There’s a strange thing that happens in choirs just as a concert is coming up. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong.     Benny G...

European Church Music Festival Schwäbisch Gmünd 2019 in the Münster of Schwäbisch Gmünd, 18 July 2019. The concert with John Rutter & chamber Choir of Europe, conducted by Nicol Matt (Germany) in MÜNSTER of Schwäbisch Gmünd was a huge success! John Rutte...  moreEuropean Church Music Festival Schwäbisch Gmünd 2019 in the Münster of Schwäbisch Gmünd, 18 July 2019. The concert with John Rutter & chamber Choir of Europe, conducted by Nicol Matt (Germany) in MÜNSTER of Schwäbisch Gmünd was a huge success! John Rutter received the prestigious European Church Music Prize 2019 for outstanding contributions to church music.  

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many choirs dress identically when they perform. Some have a choir uniform, some choose a particular colour for a particular concert, some have specially m...

Is singing good for stress? Yes, it can actually stress you out a bit... By rushing to rehearsals, trying to park the car and not finding a space, or getting stuck in public transport at peak times (I really wish there were more morning choirs) By ...

[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...