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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • Avoid toxic choir leaders – the end does NOT justify the means

    Added February 21, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1440 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There are some workshop and choir leaders who work through fear. They are not particularly nice people, but they do get good results.   photo by Craig Sunter   Yet it is possible to work compassionately and with fun to get the s... read more

  • Joining an established choir: a guide for how choir leaders can help new singers

    Added February 14, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1294 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week I wrote about the challenges faced by singers joining an established choir.   photo by fromcolettewithlove   This week I will look at what choir leaders and committees can do to make the transition easier.   my ... read more

  • Joining an established choir: a guide for new singers

    Added February 7, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 2294 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Joining a new choir is a bit like going to big school: it’s exciting, but a bit scary and it will take a while to learn the ropes.   photo by VisitCopenhagen   Here is a guide to help you take your first few steps as a new... read more

  • Why some singers find it hard to learn by ear (and what you can do to make it easier)

    Added January 31, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1367 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Some people really struggle when it comes to learning a song by ear. Often it’s singers who are used to using sheet music, but not always.   photo by bokeh burger   I’ll explain why I believe some people find it hard... read more

  • You can’t franchise charisma – why your choir leader is special

    Added January 24, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1514 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The fact is that pretty much anyone can lead a choir. Some do it better than others and some do it worse, but it’s not rocket science. However, your particular choir leader is special and brings something unique to your choir.   ... read more

  • Don’t peak too soon – effective rehearsal planning for your next concert

    Added January 17, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1099 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The OK Chorale have just started back after a long Christmas break. This term we’re working towards our annual spring concert. I need to plan an effective rehearsal schedule.     Our singers are all amateurs with busy lives... read more

  • 7 ways to share your choir’s singing without making a big performance of it

    Added January 10, 2018 by Chris Rowbury - 1245 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Some choirs don’t perform at all (see Choirs that don’t perform). But most choirs, at some point, will want to share their hard work with others.   photo by pyramis   It is possible to share your choir songs without ... read more

  • Looking after yourself in a busy concert season

    Added December 20, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1087 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   For many of us, this time of year is just one concert after another. It’s great to be doing so much singing, but it can have its downsides.   photo by Jonathan Lundkvist   If we overdo it, we can get ill or lose our voice.... read more

  • One unkind word can put you off singing for ever – how to protect yourself

    Added December 13, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1381 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There have been plenty of UK television programmes over the years which have involved solo singing auditions such as The Voice and X Factor. Comments about the standard of singing have sometimes been off-hand, sarcastic, and even cruel.  ... read more

  • Should you have auditions for a workplace or community choir?

    Added December 6, 2017 by Chris Rowbury - 1336 views - 0 comments
    [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Gareth Malone returned to UK television back in 2013 with a second series of The Choir: Sing While You Work. The choirmaster went into five different organisations to form workplace choirs which then competed against each other.   phot... read more