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Chris Rowbury's Blog Entries

  • How to deal with song lyrics 2: leaving the written word behind

    Added March 13, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 3973 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week in Part 1 of How to deal with song lyrics, I looked at the pros and cons of using written words as opposed to learning entirely by ear.       This week I want to look at how you get beyond the written word if you’ve ... read more

  • How to deal with song lyrics 1: written down or learnt by ear?

    Added March 6, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 3553 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Unless you’re singing vocalises or songs with just one word (‘alleluia’, ‘mravalžamier’), you have to deal with lyrics at some point.     How do you first encounter them – written down or heard? How c... read more

  • Why choirs shouldn’t sing pop songs

    Added February 27, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 5558 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I used to lead a women’s singing group. We tried a Bob Marley song once. One of the singers used to say: “If it sounds like the Women’s Institute sing The Rolling Stones, then we shouldn’t perform it!”. We didn’t. ... read more

  • Trying to please all the people all the time

    Added February 20, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1498 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I found myself last week arranging a bunch of songs to teach at the weekend. As usual, I’d left it far too late and was feeling rushed.     Smiley face stickers by South Carolina's Northern Kingdom   Which set me wondering:... read more

  • Singers should spend more time in the audience

    Added February 14, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1915 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I love my job. I get to stand in front of a bunch of singers and hear wonderful harmonies washing over me.     Antony Gormley's Field for the British Isles by Simon Collison   But if you’re a singer in the choir, you never ... read more

  • Breaking the habit of a lunchtime

    Added February 7, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1348 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It doesn’t take long to form a habit. Sometimes just a tea break, let alone a whole lunchtime. But it can take ages to break a habit.     Habits can be useful sometimes, but they can also get in the way of learning and creativity.... read more

  • Becoming a choir leader – it’s a long story!

    Added January 30, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 2407 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I realise that apart from my profile page on this blog, you probably don’t know much about me or my journey to become a choir and singing workshop leader. Well, now’s the time to reveal all!     Why am I telling you my story... read more

  • Music notation – do singers need it?

    Added January 25, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 3645 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I teach songs without using any kind of musical notation. Like other members of the Natural Voice Practitioners’ Network I believe that singing should be accessible to all so don’t require any musical experience from those who attend my ch... read more

  • Singing in the company of strangers

    Added January 16, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 1027 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   “Being able to make 40 people who do not know each other sing so well together was amazing”   “An excellent day proving that 50 strangers can blend very well indeed in close harmony”   These are two typical co... read more

  • Among friends: the importance of support networks

    Added January 2, 2013 by Chris Rowbury - 988 views - 0 comments
    [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   We are lucky that singing is a very social activity. Whether we are a choir leader or singer, we are amongst friends each week.     I'm different! by yewenyi   But being the one out front can also be a lonely place.   Many... read more