[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   In July 2010, after ten Years leading Woven Chords, we had our final concert together.   Little old ladies by Arty Smokes   As always, we h...

Budapest International Choir Festival and Competition - a milestone in the history of choral competitions. Since 1988, choirs are magnetized to join every second year. With an experience of almost 30 Years meeting music has focused on improving its ev...

[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 ensemble is made up of approximately 70 singers aged between 12 and 17 Years. As well as attending weekly rehearsals, the members of this ensemble are committed to music studies and/or voice training. They also participate in a variety of wonderful pe...  moreThe ensemble is made up of approximately 70 singers aged between 12 and 17 Years. As well as attending weekly rehearsals, the members of this ensemble are committed to music studies and/or voice training. They also participate in a variety of wonderful performance opportunities, recordings and a touring program. Brisbane Birralee Voices is acknowledged on home shores and abroad as one of Australia's finest children's choirs. The program encourages young singers to develop their vocal technique and attain musical excellence and there is a strong focus on nurturing the individual in a broader sense. In addition to the excitement of achieving high artistic goals and the personal enrichment experienced by each member, there is an emphasis placed on the benefits of sharing their gift of music with others and the intrinsic value of music within society. This helps develop generosity of spirit, tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity. They meet the demands of their performance and touring schedule by ha...    less

[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 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 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 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...

A couple of Years ago, around this time of year, actually, I was having a particularly awful day. I won’t bore you with the details, but let’s just say I was dealing with some pretty heartbreaking family drama, work was pretty crappy at the ...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] There were two articles in the UK national press a few Years ago, one bemoaning the fact that we don’t sing Christmas carols together as much as we u...