[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It always seems to be the basses who forget their part. I used to think it was a bloke thing, but now I realise that there are Good reasons why it’s h...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is often a mismatch between how Good you think you are as a singer and what your abilities really are.     Some people vastly ov...

[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...

Polyphony was formed by Stephen Layton in 1986 for a concert in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. Since then the choir has performed and recorded regularly to great critical acclaim throughout the world. Recent reviews declare Polyphony ‘one of the best s...  morePolyphony was formed by Stephen Layton in 1986 for a concert in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. Since then the choir has performed and recorded regularly to great critical acclaim throughout the world. Recent reviews declare Polyphony ‘one of the best small choirs now before the public’ (Telegraph) and ‘possibly the best small professional chorus in the world’ (Encore Magazine, USA). In a new poll by Gramophone Magazine they were named as one of the world’s leading choirs ‘Stephen Layton's choir have become renowned for both their sound and versatility – whether in early music, or contemporary works such as those of Eric Whitacre, they embody the remarkable tradition of British choral excellence at its finest.’ For more than a decade Polyphony has given annual sell-out performances of Bach’s St John Passion and Handel’s Messiah at St John’s Smith Square. These have become notable events in London’s music calendar and have been broadcast by BBC Radio 3 and the EBU. According to the Evening Standard ‘no one ...    less

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   “Hark the herald angels sing”. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge. Slade’s “Merry Christma...

[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...

(This post was orginally written for the Embro Thistle Singers blog.)   I think sometimes we get so focused on maKing the music as directors and singers, we forget that the people around us have "baggage" Good and bad that we need to unpack before ...

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 ...

Message from Philip Lawson - From 2012 I will be moving on from The King's Singers to give myself more time for composing and arranging. If you would like to discuss commissioning a piece from me or organising a choral workshop or arranging seminar pl...

Music by Edward Elgar from "Scenes from the Saga of King Olaf" words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow