Everyone Suddenly Burst Out Singing - C. S. Lang Performed by the Abbeydale Singers on their 25th anniversary concert, at St. John's Church, Ranmoor, Sheffield, 16th July 2011. See http://www.abbeydalesingers.org.uk for more details.

I wrote this in 1976 for the six Singing students of Pat Scanlon, a colleague of mine at West Heath School, who died from complications of Hodgkins Lymphoma. The first performance was at her memorial service. This performance, however was part of the me...  moreI wrote this in 1976 for the six Singing students of Pat Scanlon, a colleague of mine at West Heath School, who died from complications of Hodgkins Lymphoma. The first performance was at her memorial service. This performance, however was part of the memorial service in St Martin in the Fields, for Ruth Rudge, who was a very distinguished and lovely lady, and also my first boss. The ladies of the Occasional Choir, whose beginnings were as the Madrigal Choir at West Heath, which I co-founded, all those years ago, are the singers, including one of the six that took part in the very first performance. I am conducting, and Penny Walker, who now directs the choir is accompanying. Unfortunately less than half the singers are visible in the video.  less

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I have to admit that I’m not really a lyric person. I might have been listening to a particular pop song in English for years when I Suddenly realise...

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I’ve Suddenly realised I don’t know what to call myself any more. I used to be a ‘choirmaster’ (a term I got from Gareth Malone and...

Bill Sveglini arranged this classic Bob McGee a-capella piece, including the addition of a descant line. It is rather fine in its simplicity hiding and then revealing a multitude of harmonic possibilities, starting as it does in unison and Suddenly breaki...  moreBill Sveglini arranged this classic Bob McGee a-capella piece, including the addition of a descant line. It is rather fine in its simplicity hiding and then revealing a multitude of harmonic possibilities, starting as it does in unison and Suddenly breaking into glorious harmony. Bill’s descant is a nice touch, like adding a cherry to the cake. It is dedicated to "Spirits Free" of the Burlingame United Methodist Church, Burlingame, California.  

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Singing together in a group is something special. It is a very different experience from Singing on your own. But what exactly is it that we get from Singing...

Sing from the Heart choir & group Singing workshop courses in the Limousin region of France (located in the Creuse 23460) Have fun, meet new people in a relaxed, welcoming, supportive environment & Sing from the Heart. ...  moreSing from the Heart choir & group Singing workshop courses in the Limousin region of France (located in the Creuse 23460) Have fun, meet new people in a relaxed, welcoming, supportive environment & Sing from the Heart. Learn good vocal technique & popular music repertoire (from pop & rock through to folk & show-tunes & everything in between!). ALL abilities welcome. In recent workshops we have sung songs by The Beatles, Pharrell Williams, Tracy Chapman, The Housemartins and Carole King - to name but a few... We run several courses throughOut the year as well as group Singing workshop holidays and retreats in France. Details of our upcoming upcoming group Singing workshop below: Starting 25 April 2015: The 8 week course will include 2 informal performance nights at De TOut Coeur Limousin - in front of a supportive, friendly audience of invited friends and family where you can show off your newly ...    less

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Often, at the end of a Singing workshop, someone will tell me that they didn’t think they were Singing the right thing and ask if there is anything they...

We offer a variety of Singing opportunities at HeartSong Normandie. Singing retreat holidays in France (join us for our Singing retreat holidays in Normandy and Brittany), Pop Rock group Singing workshops and choirs, Sing from the Heart group Singing sess...  moreWe offer a variety of Singing opportunities at HeartSong Normandie. Singing retreat holidays in France (join us for our Singing retreat holidays in Normandy and Brittany), Pop Rock group Singing workshops and choirs, Sing from the Heart group Singing sessions - Singing world music, mantras, sound meditations and chanting. All Singing levels and abilities are very welcome, from complete beginners who think they may be tone deaf to professional singers. We offer a space to share in the joy and many benefits of Singing together and look forward to Singing with you soon.  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...