This post was orginally found on our Embro Thistle Singers blog. I remember when we had Professional Development Days when I was teaching, The teachers would complain that They were more tired that day than from a whole day of teaching.  I had had...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From The Front of The Choir]   Even though I’ve been teaching for almost 30 years, I still get affected by that glum-looking face in The third row.   ... and it's no...

If you’re a singer on your way to a voice lesson, rehearsal, or audition, it’s always good to do a bit of warming up in The car, because There are few things more annoying to music directors than Singers wasting time complaining that They&rsqu...

[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...

[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 version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From The Front of The Choir] Feel like you’re on a treadmill? Constantly learning and practising and planning but never arriving? Not enough time to catch your breath between concer...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From The Front of The Choir] I started my first community choir over 20 years ago. I used to worry that, after The long summer break, The Singers would have forgotten me and wouldn’...

Choosing exactly The right repertoire for an ensemble is one of The most essential responsibilities of a conductor.  We want music that stimulates growth within The ensemble, and also enriches The musical palette of The Singers and of The audience me...

[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...