[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]Many community choirs have mixed tenor sections with men and women Singing the same part. photo by Stefan Karpiniec That’s when things can get weird!...

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last time (Tuning up – where do start notes come from?) I talked about my aim of being able to give out a single note to my choir, instead of having t...

[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...

Note dall'Anima Choir began as an association of friends attending services and is therefore a non-professional choir. Since 2009, it has been gladding the ceremonies of parishes nearby, mainly thanks to new musical equipment and stabler rehearsals and or...  moreNote dall'Anima Choir began as an association of friends attending services and is therefore a non-professional choir. Since 2009, it has been gladding the ceremonies of parishes nearby, mainly thanks to new musical equipment and stabler rehearsals and organisation. The most unique thing about this choir is its style: apart from being always varied, it offers a joyous, rhythmical, alternative and new way of celebrating Mass, joining pop and rock with religious themes.  

The Prime Note Ensemble has established itself as the first Filipino a cappella choir from Saudi Arabia, founded by Medard U. Obida in October 2001. Members enjoy the opportunity to rehearse & perform under the professional tutelage of its choirmaster...  moreThe Prime Note Ensemble has established itself as the first Filipino a cappella choir from Saudi Arabia, founded by Medard U. Obida in October 2001. Members enjoy the opportunity to rehearse & perform under the professional tutelage of its choirmaster and resident arranger Novem G. Cabios. The choir has already competed in two World Choir Games, one in China in 2006 and the other in Austria in 208, where it won bronze & silver medals in the male chamber choir category. The group has traveled to Nancy, France on invitation, in one of France’s major choral festival, the 14th Festival International Chant de Choral held in May 2007. On tour in Europe, the choir performed to much acclaim in France, Belgium and Austria. Prime Note participated in the 2nd California Choral Festival & Competition in June 2009 in San Luis Obispo and continues to have a series of performances in and around Southern California, which the group now calls home.  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...

Psalm 23 is dedicated to my aunt Patricia Shaw of Vancouver, as this is her favourite Psalm. Two points of note: First, the composition grew out of the feeling that all 4 voices should start on the same note, grow outwards and then come back to that...  morePsalm 23 is dedicated to my aunt Patricia Shaw of Vancouver, as this is her favourite Psalm. Two points of note: First, the composition grew out of the feeling that all 4 voices should start on the same note, grow outwards and then come back to that same note at the end. The rest just seemed to evolve on its own, seemingly guided by some external force. Second, unusually, I have asked choirs (where possible) to sing this without any breaks, via staggered breathing, as I wanted to highlight the deep conviction underlying the words of the Psalm, as one single thread of deep belief that moves from beginning to end. Sincere thanks to Matthew Curtis (choraltracks.com) for recording "Psalm 23." As always, comments are welcomed. Email me at rain@magma.ca, if you'd like more info. I would like to acknowledge the a cappella choir that I sing in, The Stairwell Carollers, and our director Pierre Massie, for their musical inspiration these past 26 years. I would also like to thank my friends in our "Ad ...    less

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Men and women’s voices are different.     Obvious really, but it’s something many singers find it difficult to come to terms wit...

  Devon-based Take Note Community Choir has been taking the Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s choral scene by storm – and it’s no surprise why.   Having travelled all the way from Tiverton to perform at the Fringe, this 30-stron...

And on National Albion Press Coverage Day, why not go the whole hog and read about Albion Ales in The Star, Sheffield too?   Follow the link and find out our exciting news - Ale and Singing!   What an opportunity yo hit the right note!