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What singing subjects would you like me to write about?
I’ve been writing this blog since December 2006 and have written over 600 posts. I keep thinking I’ll run out of things to write about, but I’ve not done so yet!However, there may well be subjects that...
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Do you need to practice outside choir rehearsals?
Many singers come to choir – especially “singing for fun” groups – to get away from the stresses of regular life. They love to sing and find it a relaxing escape from the daily grind.photo by Aka...
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Is there an alternative to being patient when leading a choir?
I’ve been praised many times by the singers I work with for being so patient.Which makes me wonder: what’s the alternative?I must admit that I find it quite easy (most of the time!) to be patient when...
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How to lead your choir when you’re just not in the mood
We all have off days, even choir leaders.Here are a few hints on how to cope when you’re feeling low or burnt out.No matter how much you love your job, there will be the occasional off day. A time when...
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Some people take pride in saying they can’t sing – but is that just fear...
You’ll know by now that I believe that everyone can sing.Apparently this irritates some people who really think that they can’t sing. Why is that?everyone can sing …I was reminded the other day of a...
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Singers with hearing loss: how choir leaders can help
More and more older singers are in choirs these days. Many of those singers will have some kind of hearing loss.Joshua Reynolds "Self-Portrait as a Deaf Man"How can you, as a choir leader, help them?...
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Are you a singer with hearing loss? Steps you can take to make life easier in...
Last week there was a guest post about what choir leaders can do to help singers who have hearing loss.photo by Hadley Paul GarlandThis week I want to look at steps you can take yourself if you’re a...
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There is no “I” in “choir”
A choir is no place for egos. When you join choir you agree to give up a certain amount of autonomy in order to work together as a team.photo by Colin JThat also applies to the choir leader, although...
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Does the choir you’re in reveal your political leanings?
An opinion piece this week based on personal observations.photo by Roger BlackwellHere in the UK a general election is looming and I’m wondering whether the type of choir you’re in reveals your...
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The nuts and bolts of running a singing workshop – 10 practical tips
I ran a day of singing last weekend and whilst I was setting out the tea and biscuits and putting up tables, I realised that the practical side of running a workshop is at least as important as the...
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The ‘good enough’ singer or how to enjoy performing with your choir
I am often faced with a sea of frowns as singers struggle to get a song ‘right’. The frowns even appear during performances when songs have been well-rehearsed.photo by Senior Airman Amanda MorrisThis...
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5 ways to keep things fresh when you’re being taught a song you already know
At any singing workshop I run there will probably be someone who already knows one of the songs I’m teaching.photo by Sludge GIf that is you, what are your options for staying interested?I try very...
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Choir growing pains: how to sustain your choir as it grows and develops
This post is part of a series of occasional Questions and Answers. Just use the contact form if you want to submit a question.Hannah writes:“Our choir started in 2013 very informally with a small...
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Beyond the usual suspects – how to get choir members to volunteer for...
Last week I wrote about how to sustain your choir as it grows and develops.This week I will look at how you can persuade choir members to volunteer to help run your choir.It is often the case that the...
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Do everything you can to support your choir leader – they’re the only one...
For the last two weeks I’ve been looking at how to sustain your choir as it grows and develops.Last week I considered ways to persuade choir members to help run the choir. This week I want to look at...
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Ways into vocal improvisation for singing groups
I’m often asked by choir members if we can do some vocal improvisation.photo © Aude VanlathemImprovising with a large group of singers is really hard, but here are some pointers to get you started.Most...
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Outdoor gigs: how to cope when audiences aren’t interested
It’s summer, the time when many choirs and singing groups perform outdoors.summer Singing Safari, Holywells Park, Ipswich, July 2016It’s hard enough to sing in the open air, and compete with music on...
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How men sing (Part 5) – amazing examples from across the globe #getmensinging
This is the fifth in a series of posts which features amazing examples of men singing. Here are Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.men sing while waiting for the women to arrive at the Bona-na festival...
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What singers can do when choir’s on a break
I know not all choirs take a break at this time of year, but many do.What can singers usefully do whilst there is no choir?When I first started out leading choirs, singers would panic when the long...
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10 ways in which leading a choir is like writing a blog – the day to day...
I’ve been writing a weekly blog since 2006 and leading choirs since 1997.It turns out that there are quite a few things in common between these two seemingly unrelated activities.I was surprised to...
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