[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the choir] I have learnt a great deal since I started my first choir in 1997. WorldSong in Coventry, June 2000 If I were starting a choir again today I may well do t...

After 31 years of worldwide performance and recording, The Sixteen is recognised as one of the world’s greatest ensembles. Comprising both choir and period-instruMent orchestra, The Sixteen’s total commitMent to the music it performs is its greatest disti...  moreAfter 31 years of worldwide performance and recording, The Sixteen is recognised as one of the world’s greatest ensembles. Comprising both choir and period-instruMent orchestra, The Sixteen’s total commitMent to the music it performs is its greatest distinction. A special reputation for performing early English polyphony, masterpieces of the Renaissance, bringing fresh insights into Baroque and early Classical music and a diversity of 20th-century music, is drawn from the passions of conductor and founder Harry Christophers. At hoMe in the UK, The Sixteen are “The Voices of Classic FM” and Associate Artists of The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. The group promotes The Choral Pilgrimage, an annual tour of Britain's finest cathedrals bringing music back to the buildings for which it was written. The Sixteen has recently featured in the highly successful BBC television series, Sacred Music, presented by actor Simon Russell Beale - a second series which focused on the music of Brahms, Bruckner, Fauré, Pärt and Tave...    less

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the choir]   Last weekend I ran a singing workshop for 40 strangers. As always everyone worked well together (no prima donnas!) and we produced a wonderful sound at the...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the choir]Many singers coMe to choir – especially “singing for fun” groups – to get away from the stresses of regular life. They love to sing and...

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the choir]   for the last eight years I’ve created a performance choir from scratch each year – a kind of Instant choir, Just Add People – which I cal...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the choir]   Rather than everyone singing all the tiMe, many choirs ring the changes by creating smaller ensembles within the larger choir or have occasional solo...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the choir]   Having written about starting your own community choir, in 2011 I put my money where my mouth is and started a brand new singing group – my first in...

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the choir]   Back in 2008, BBC television ran a series called Last choir Standing, basically a knock-out choir competition.     On their website they...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the choir]   I’ve written before about how hard it is to get a cross-section of ages and genders in your choir (How to recruit singers to truly reflect your...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the choir]Many choir leaders have a strong style and particular choice of repertoire. They lead large, thriving choirs which have a strong vision. Other choir leaders...