Singing together is about feeling safe, supported and valued

It seems obvious to me, but I’ve known choirs, singing workshops and singing groups who don’t always work in a safe space.

But how else will you get the best out of singers? Here’s why a safe, supported space is important.

Looking for new warm up ideas? Don’t dismiss the old and familiar

I’m always looking for new ideas for the warm up start of my singing sessions.

But constant novelty is not necessarily a good thing. It can often lead to overlooking old, familiar, tried and tested exercises.

What is a ‘community choir’?

The term ‘community choir’ is used a lot, but what does it actually mean?

There is no single definition, but I thought I’d look at some common characteristics.

How to avoid new choir members feeling left out in the breaks

I always thought I ran friendly, welcoming choirs (see How welcoming is your choir?). There was always someone around to buddy new members so they wouldn’t feel left out.

photo by theirhistory

But then one day, a new member said to me that standing around in the break felt like being the new kid in the playground at school.

A concert is coming, but singers have missed rehearsals and not done their homework! What to do?

We’ve all been there: a big concert is coming up, but the singers just aren’t ready.

photo by Allan Harris

What can you do?

How much ‘stuff’ do you need to lead a group of singers? Far less than you think!

What is the minimum you need to get a group of people singing together?

A piano? Sheet music? A baton? Backing tracks? The less you rely on ‘stuff’, the freer and more resilient you become.

Confessions of a singaholic – why too much singing might be a bad thing

Once you’ve discovered the joys of singing with others, it’s sometimes hard to know when to stop.

Here is a cautionary tale from someone who got rather carried away.

Reflect, reinvent, reboot, refresh – ideas for new beginnings PART 2

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.

Reflect, reinvent, reboot, refresh – ideas for new beginnings PART 1

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.

5 ideas for when your mind goes blank in front of your singers

It’s happened to us all: you’re mid-rehearsal and suddenly your mind goes completely blank.

Instead of panicking, here are some things you can do.

Finding positives from the pandemic when your choir finally gets back together

It has been said that every setback is an opportunity in disguise. Singing together has had many setbacks during the pandemic and choirs have been affected badly.

Here’s how you can turn those obstacles into positives.

Don’t be put off by the word ‘choir’ – there are plenty of different kinds out there

Many people are put off by the word ‘choir’. It can mean that people feel excluded from singing with others because of their preconceptions.

The choir of St. Peter's Bournemouth

‘Choir’ can take many forms though, so maybe you’re looking in the wrong place.

Will my choir still be there when lockdown is over?

Some choirs decided to stop all activities when the pandemic started.

photo by Cory Doctorow

As restrictions begin to ease in many countries, singers are wondering: will my choir still be there?

When will it be safe to sing together again in person?

Many of you won’t have sung with others in a physical space for several months, or even a year or more.

Seattle Metropolitan Singers

As vaccination roll-out increases and restrictions are eased in many countries, when will it be safe to sing together again in person?

How to sing a drone of staggering beauty

A drone is a note continuously sounded throughout most or all of a song.

 

But singers have to breathe, so how can this be achieved?

Singing with masks: advice for singers

Choirs are starting to rehearse again, both indoors and outdoors. Many are insisting that their singers wear masks.

Archway Gospelish Choir, Sussex

What are the difficulties (if any) of singing while wearing a mask?

How to keep your choir or singing business alive while it’s shut down

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’t return to choir when it started up again.

With choirs and singing groups not meeting in person, those worries are magnified. How can you keep your singing groups alive and ensure that your singers are still there when this is all over?

What is unique about singing together?

Singing together in a group is something special. It is a very different experience from singing on your own.

But what exactly is it that we get from singing with others?

Back to basics: how to reawaken your passion as a choir leader

Ever found the same old warm up exercises a bit boring or ending up just going through the motions during a rehearsal?



It might be time to revisit the basics of what you’re doing as a choir leader and why. Read on to find out how to reinvigorate your choir leading.

How to recruit a new leader for your choir

There will come a time when you’ll need to find a new leader for your choir.



Let’s look at ideas for how to recruit someone suitable.