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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • What should individual singers focus on when performing as part of a choir or small group?

    Added June 19, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 822 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Whether you sing harmony in a small group or a large choir there are many things demanding your attention: other singers, conductor, audience, your own part, remembering lyrics, sheet music, and so on.   But what is the most important thin... read more

  • 10 great reasons why all men should join a choir – now!

    Added June 12, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 3554 views - 0 comments
    A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Being in a choir is great (see The pleasures of being a choir member), but most mixed choirs never seem to have enough men.     photo by Roberta F.   Here are 10 very good reasons why every single man out there should join a choir ... read more

  • How to encourage regular choir attendance – balancing fun with commitment

    Added June 5, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 3351 views - 0 comments
      [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Lately I’ve been wrestling with the problem of inconsistent attendance at choir. If not everyone comes each week it’s hard to do any development work and it means I have to keep teaching the same songs again and again. Sing F... read more

  • 5 good reasons why joining a choir might not be right for you

    Added May 29, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 3448 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] We all know that joining a choir is a good thing to do. But it might not suit everyone. photo by Dave Pearce   Here are five reasons why it might not be such a good idea for you.If you are a singer who agrees with any of the following, th... read more

  • Should your choir perform live? – arguments for and against

    Added May 15, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 820 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] When I started my most recent community choir The OK Chorale back in 2011 I decided it wasn’t going to be a performing choir.     Brighton Vox, photo from atticglimpse.blogspot.co.uk   But inevitably, over time, we ended u... read more

  • How ill do you need to be before you cancel a performance?

    Added May 1, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 686 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Back in 2015 I was in bed for 10 days with a nasty bout of ’flu. For the first time in my 18-year career I had to cancel a choir concert.     In this case it was an obvious decision, but how ill do you need to be before you cance... read more

  • When you don’t feel like singing, that’s the perfect time to do it – sing yourself happy!

    Added April 24, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 865 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Many of us wait until the mood hits us before we do something. But often the doing something is what changes our mood for the better.     The saying “Don’t sing because you’re happy, be happy because you sing” h... read more

  • Copying music – how to stay on the right side of the law

    Added April 18, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 788 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I get regular emails from people asking questions about songs and copyright. I’m certainly no expert, but I have written a few articles that you might find helpful.     I’ve also just discovered something called The Code of... read more

  • If you don’t feel nervous before a concert or a singing workshop then something’s wrong

    Added April 10, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 1114 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I never sleep the night before running a singing workshop and I always feel terribly nervous before a concert – whether I’m singing or conducting.   photo by Francesco   But I wouldn’t have it any other way. The day ... read more

  • What if the singing session is a success, but you feel like a failure?

    Added April 3, 2019 by Chris Rowbury - 742 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Sometimes we’re asked to lead a rehearsal or run a singing workshop or perform a song and we do our job very well. But afterwards we don’t feel particularly good about it.   photo by www.stockmonkeys.com/   What’s go... read more