A new year and a new choir season don’t just bring change — they also bring choice.
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This is often a moment to pause and reflect: what’s working, what’s not, and what might benefit from being done differently. For choir leaders in particular, it’s a chance to plan rather than simply react.
As the year draws to a close, many people start to think ahead and make plans for the new year ahead. They might look back on their achievements this year, but the focus is usually forward.
But instead of reflecting on all those new things we want to have/achieve/create, what about those things that we’d like to leave behind?
This is one of a series of summary posts around a specific topic, bringing together five relevant posts from the past.
This summary is about the challenges and opportunities of getting back to choir after the long summer break.
I used a new space for a singing workshop recently and realised (too late) that I’d forgotten a few practical things.
I thought I’d list some of them here to you can avoid the same mistake.
I saw an interview with George Clooney the other day and he pointed out that “You learn nothing from success. You learn everything from failure.”
Fear of failing is what holds people back. Yet failure is how we grow and learn.
I ran a singing day in London recently. I had booked the venue nearly a year in advance. The day went brilliantly with a full house of singers.
What I hadn’t reckoned on was that West Ham had a home game that day so my journey back to Suffolk was a complete nightmare! What can you do to avoid things like that?
Many people use the New Year as a trigger to set themselves goals for the future. And many people fail by being unrealistic.
Whether that’s you or not, it is vital to take stock from time to time, even if it’s not at New Year.
Here in the UK, many choirs have a long summer break and start back in early September when the schools go back.
This may be the perfect time to try something new, a time for re-invention.
No matter how well you plan your singing workshop or performance, you can find yourself with an unexpected slot that needs filling.
Which is why you should always have a spare song or two up your sleeve.
I’m a big procrastinator. I leave everything until the last minute. If I didn’t have deadlines, I would never get anything done!
But I’ve come to realise that this is my way of working and it has good results. Here’s why procrastination is not necessarily a bad thing.
It’s that clichéd time of year again when people make New Year resolutions.
Whether you do or not, it can be a good time for reflection and to prepare for the year ahead. Here are some ideas that might help.
It’s the final rehearsal on the day of your big concert. You realise that several important singers are missing.
What can you do? Here are a few ideas.
I am due to lead a singing weekend in a few weeks. My first in over two years.
The other night I had an anxiety dream about it. Here’s what I learnt.
I thought I’d do a round-up of posts I’ve made over the years which are relevant in some way to new beginnings.
Part 1 was last week. This is Part 2.
People often use the New Year as a time for reflection and an opportunity to make fresh starts.
I thought I’d do a round-up of posts I’ve made over the years which are relevant in some way to new beginnings. This is Part 1. Part 2 will follow next week.
I always, always plan my rehearsals and workshops in great detail, including the warm ups.
But invariably the unexpected happens and my plan goes out the window! Nevertheless, here’s why planning is still vital.
The socially-distanced reopening of indoor performances in England was due to take place last Saturday, but the government has now postponed it for at least another two weeks.
With circumstances changing so frequently, how do you prepare for future concerts and rehearsals?
