[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Sometimes old choir repertoire becomes stale.   Photo by quinn.anya   Well-loved Songs start to wear out and lose their sparkle. What can ...

Sanita Melodia Choir at Symphony of life Concert on November 2013

Music has been the inseparabale part of human life. And when the ear listens to music, the mouth responds with signing. For some, music and signing brings joy to themselves while for some, it helps them express themselves. Nevertheless, there is one impor...

Weaving a spell - Incantation for Pamela - magic for a while... This Song can be understood on two levels. At first sight it is a simple sentimental piece, but beneath it lies a history of pure imagination, enchantment and impossibility. The co...  moreWeaving a spell - Incantation for Pamela - magic for a while... This Song can be understood on two levels. At first sight it is a simple sentimental piece, but beneath it lies a history of pure imagination, enchantment and impossibility. The composer already realises he is no longer feeling what he is writing, he is just weaving a spell, over an ostinato guitar motif, to try to bring the feelings back (hence the title "Incantation"). He has found in his life that whenever he writes a Song for the object of his desire, he has already begun to stop feeling that desire ... it is a sign that the relationship is about to change or disappear. But the whole thing is indeed enchantment and magic: you can dream and you can take the Song at face value if you wish.  less

The earliest known version of Cockles and Mussels was published in London in 1884 by Francis Brothers and Day. The Song is there described as "a comic Song" written and composed by James Yorkston (of Scotland) and arranged by Edmund Forman. Because it is ...  moreThe earliest known version of Cockles and Mussels was published in London in 1884 by Francis Brothers and Day. The Song is there described as "a comic Song" written and composed by James Yorkston (of Scotland) and arranged by Edmund Forman. Because it is noted as printed with permission of an Edinburgh firm, there was clearly an earlier version. Although the Song is the unofficial anthem of Dublin and generally regarded as Irish, it was, in fact, written by a Scotsman. This outdoor performance was the culmination of a six-week project which creates a choir from scratch for one night only. Each winter and summer, Chris Rowbury gathers a random bunch of singers from in and around Ipswich. There are no auditions and all Songs are taught and learnt by ear. Usually eight Songs are learnt in six two-hour sessions and in the summer are performed outdoors near Ipswich. http://chrisrowbury.com  less

This jaunty melody with countermelodies has been written for an a cappella choir of SATBB with splits in some of the voices from time to time. The words are my own and tell of children playing their games in the dusty streets (ie of Bethlehem) unaware tha...  moreThis jaunty melody with countermelodies has been written for an a cappella choir of SATBB with splits in some of the voices from time to time. The words are my own and tell of children playing their games in the dusty streets (ie of Bethlehem) unaware that a miracle has happened and asking them to look up to the angels and join their singing. The performance here is by the Composer's Choir conducted by Daniel Shaw.  

A true bastard love child of a Song if ever there was one. A Romanian Song collected by Bela Bartok, translated to English by British Folkies Andy Irvine & Jane Cassidy & grafted onto a Bulgarian dance tune, before being brilliantly recorded by Maddie Pry...  moreA true bastard love child of a Song if ever there was one. A Romanian Song collected by Bela Bartok, translated to English by British Folkies Andy Irvine & Jane Cassidy & grafted onto a Bulgarian dance tune, before being brilliantly recorded by Maddie Pryor & June Tabor (The Silly Sisters) Gurt Winter Concert 2012 The Gurt Lush Choir debut Concert at The Colston Hall, with Bristol Male Voice Choir. Musical Directors, Sam Burns & Steve Daykin 300 Singers, 1500+ Audience. Several thousand raised for St Peters Hospice. Where were you? ;-)  less

CHIJ Katong Convent Choir, Est. 2000. Under the direction of Mr. Terrence Toh. We live life to the fullest, and sing like there's no tomorrow

The Choir at St Mary’s Cathedral is one of Scotland’s finest. It is made up of boys, girls, women and men from all walks of life and with many levels of musical expertise and experience, who give of their time and talent on an entirely voluntary basis to ...  moreThe Choir at St Mary’s Cathedral is one of Scotland’s finest. It is made up of boys, girls, women and men from all walks of life and with many levels of musical expertise and experience, who give of their time and talent on an entirely voluntary basis to sing to a professional standard. Membership of the choir currently stands at around thirty-five adults and sixteen to twenty children. The choir’s principal function is to provide the music and help lead the worship at the Cathedral’s two main services every Sunday: Sung Eucharist at 10.30 am and Choral EvenSong at 6.30 pm. Services are preceded by a rehearsal, and there is a rehearsal once a week, currently on Thursday evenings. In addition to these important duties, the choir also sings for regular special services, occasional concerts, broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio, has appeared on TV, and every year they sing in one of the great British Cathedrals for a weekend, or sometimes a week. St Mary’s Cathedral Choir performs a very wide range of music, ...    less