[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many’s the time I see Ann lean over to Gill (not their real names) to help her get her part right. And every time I see a pained expression on ...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It’s the final rehearsal before your big concert. The warm up is over and everyone is ready to go. But a handful of singers (the usual suspects...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] The world can be a terrible place sometimes as we’ve seen in the news lately. It’s hard to imagine how a single person can make a difference. Ch...

"From Where We Stand"  is a stirring, patriotic anthem that is especially needed at this time.  It is the finale song from the upcoming musical American Twistory with executive producer, Larry King,  and it is available at no charge in...

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

The roots of Cantilena lie within the children’s choir “Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen”. The memories of the wonderful and exciting years, the great musical and personal experiences gained while singing in the children’s choir motivated a group of former membe...  moreThe roots of Cantilena lie within the children’s choir “Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen”. The memories of the wonderful and exciting years, the great musical and personal experiences gained while singing in the children’s choir motivated a group of former members to reunite and to found a female vocal ensemble – in January 2004, students, mothers and young professionals come together to sing for the first time as “Cantilena”. Prof. Elisabeth Ziegler, conductor of the “Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen”, was entrusted to be the artistic director of the new women’s choir. She was tempted by the possibility to go beyond the limits given by the repertoire of a children’s choir and to discover new choral literature with the now adult singers. From the very first moment of the foundation of “Cantilena” until today, Elisabeth Ziegler guides and supports the plans of the enthusiastic young women by sharing her extensive musical expertise. It was her lifelong passion for choral music that was planted into the singers’ hearts back in ...    less

Dear Choir Directors, Congratulations on successfully completing another semester filled with beautiful choral performances and uplifting musical experiences. As we wrap up this chapter, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments ach...

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I realise that apart from my profile page on this blog, you probably don’t know much about me or my journey to become a choir and singing workshop lea...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I often get people writing to me for advice about choirs. Some of them don’t agree with the direction their choir leader is taking them, some ...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The fact is that pretty much anyone can lead a choir. Some do it better than others and some do it worse, but it’s not rocket science. However,...