[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...

The Sainte-Anne Singers is a Chamber ensemble founded in 1987 in Sainte-Anne de Bellevue (30 minutes west of Montreal), with the aim of exploring a wide range of a cappella repertoire.Their concerts generally include Renaissance, pop, jazz and contemporar...  moreThe Sainte-Anne Singers is a Chamber ensemble founded in 1987 in Sainte-Anne de Bellevue (30 minutes west of Montreal), with the aim of exploring a wide range of a cappella repertoire.Their concerts generally include Renaissance, pop, jazz and contemporary choral music, with an emphasis on Canadian composers and arrangers. The Choir has a high calibre of singers drawn by its demanding musical standard and the opportunity to explore recently created music. Among the group's twenty-four members are piano and voice teachers, soloists, Choir directors, organists and others with musical training. The ensemble has previously reached the quarter- and semi-finals of the CBC Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs. In May 2010, they were awarded second place in the Chamber Choir category of the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs. They have performed twice at Podium, Canada's national choral conference, most recently in May 2014 in Halifax.  less

[this is an updated version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Your church or Community centre sets up the concerts. Your committee deals with the finances and the social events. Your musical director teac...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I had a friend who moved to a new town and set up a new Choir, blissfully ignorant of the 100+ Community chorus that already existed there.   phot...

Lake Superior Youth Chorus is a nonprofit organization based out of Duluth, Minnesota, whose mission is to cultivate an active and inclusive Community of young choral artists, centered on a holistic music education. LSYC believes that all children are cap...  moreLake Superior Youth Chorus is a nonprofit organization based out of Duluth, Minnesota, whose mission is to cultivate an active and inclusive Community of young choral artists, centered on a holistic music education. LSYC believes that all children are capable of discovering their voice. Our programs provide students in grades 2 through 10 with a creative musical outlet for discovering the joys of teamwork, cultural awareness, self-confidence, self discipline, and unparalleled musical opportunities.  

The Edinburgh Police Choir is open to anyone who can sing, not just to police staff. Our performances are described as ‘absolutely incredible’, ‘stunning’, ‘inspiring’, and ‘hugely surprising’. That’s because we work hard to deserve such comments. We beg...  moreThe Edinburgh Police Choir is open to anyone who can sing, not just to police staff. Our performances are described as ‘absolutely incredible’, ‘stunning’, ‘inspiring’, and ‘hugely surprising’. That’s because we work hard to deserve such comments. We began 6 years ago as the Lothian and Borders Police Choir and have performed at events in large and small venues, have sung in New York, representing Scotland at the 10th anniversary of 9/11, at T in the Park, have sold out at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and have been highly placed in competitions.  less

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many of you know that I avoid using the ‘C’ word: Choir. But there other similar terms that I find just as bad: chorus, chorale, Chamber ...

Recorded October 2020 Music: Barlow Bradford Text: George Withers Audio Engineer: John Paul Hayward Video Engineer: Carter Durham