[this is an updated version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week I wrote about 10 ways to be a better choir member. This was prompted by an earlier post on whether you need Singing lessons or not i...

"Kwela Kwela" as sung the University of Pretoria Youth Choir conducted by Lhente-Mari Pitout at their Gala Concert held on 24 September 2011. A joyous exclamation which is set at a wedding, where the groom is being asked: "Where are you hiding the bri...  more"Kwela Kwela" as sung the University of Pretoria Youth Choir conducted by Lhente-Mari Pitout at their Gala Concert held on 24 September 2011. A joyous exclamation which is set at a wedding, where the groom is being asked: "Where are you hiding the bride". Traditional Sesotho South African traditional music is known for their movement and dancing in their songs, and the UP Youth Choir accentuates this by highlighting the movement in their performance.  

"How Can I Keep from Singing," arr. Gwyneth Walker. Based upon a Quaker hymn. Recorded live on Friday, March 15, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church, Pompano Beach, Florida. Performed by the Saint Mary's College Women's Choir and the Concert Choir ensem...  more"How Can I Keep from Singing," arr. Gwyneth Walker. Based upon a Quaker hymn. Recorded live on Friday, March 15, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church, Pompano Beach, Florida. Performed by the Saint Mary's College Women's Choir and the Concert Choir ensemble of the Girl Choir of South Florida. Conductor: Wallis Peterson, Accompanist: Gayle Giese. http://www.saintmarys.edu/music-womens-choir  

We are a community-based choir composed of children between ages 8 to 16 years old. The choir recently won the Gold medal for Folklore category and Silver Medal for Children's category in the 6th Grand Prix Pattaya International Choir Competition last Jul...  moreWe are a community-based choir composed of children between ages 8 to 16 years old. The choir recently won the Gold medal for Folklore category and Silver Medal for Children's category in the 6th Grand Prix Pattaya International Choir Competition last July 25 - 27, 2013 in Pattaya, Thailand.  

"The Singing Place" by Joan Szymko. Text by Lily A. Long. Recorded live on May 15, 2015, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Performed by the Concert Choir ensemble of the Girl Choir of South Florida. Artistic Dir...  more"The Singing Place" by Joan Szymko. Text by Lily A. Long. Recorded live on May 15, 2015, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Performed by the Concert Choir ensemble of the Girl Choir of South Florida. Artistic Director: Wallis Peterson, Accompanist: Gayle Giese. Cold may lie the day, And bare of grace; At night I slip away To the Singing Place. A border of mist and doubt Before the gate, And the Dancing Stars grow still As hushed I wait. Then faint and far away I catch the beat In broken rhythm and rhyme of joyous feet,— Lifting waves of sound That will rise and swell (If the prying eyes of thought Break not the spell), Rise and swell and retreat And fall and flee, As over the edge of sleep They beckon me. And I wait as the seaweed waits For the lifting tide; To ask would be to awake,— To be denied. I cloud my eyes in the mist ...    less

Performed by Kammerchor Manila and arr. by George Hernandez last September 9, 2015 during the "Harana sa Dapit Hapon" at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Manila. www.kammerchormanila.com

The Samford University A Cappella Choir Singing "Cantus Gloriosus" by Josef Swider at the Florilege Vocal de Tours: International Song Competition, May 25-27, 2012. Philip Copeland, conductor.

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Have you ever been swept along by the enthusiasm of a Singing session only to feel drained at the end or with a sore throat and aching legs?   ...

Performed by Kammerchor Manila and arranged by Jake Runestad during the Glorificamus Te II concert last April 23, 2016 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo Main Theater, Manila. www.kammerchormanila.com

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is something different and special about a residential learning experience.   photo by Martyn Gorman   A whole day of Singing i...