How to start a singing session without shouting

People are arriving and greeting each other; chairs are being set out; there is excitement in the air and the hubbub of conversation.

How do you get everyone to quieten down and focus in order to start your singing session?

From strangers to singers

When you’re leading a one-off singing workshop, or have large influx of new members to your choir, there will be lots of people who don’t know each other.

Here are a few simple ways to mix people up so there’s less chance of things becoming cliquey.

Do shared lunches at singing workshops really build community?

Whenever I ran a one-off singing day, I would always encourage people to bring lunch to share.

The idea was to create a sense of community and get people to socialise with each other. But I no longer do that. Here’s why.

Singing: the gift that lasts forever

Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift? Why not introduce someone to singing?

Image generated by Gemini AI

Unlike a box of chocolates or a pair of socks, singing lasts a lifetime.

When the song you know isn’t quite the same: Tips for re-learning variations

Sometimes I teach a song at a workshop that some singers already know.

Image generated by Gemini AI

Invariably it will be a different arrangement. So how can singers approach re-learning a version that has only slight variations?

Why singing feels easier in workshops than in choir rehearsals

When I lead a one-off singing day or weekend, I’m always amazed at how many songs I’m able to teach — and how quickly singers pick them up.

photo by Max Crawford CC BY-SA 2.0

This is in stark contrast to weekly choir rehearsals which are often harder work and far less productive. So what’s going on here?

Why you should have a refund policy for your choir and singing workshops

Quite often, something happens that means a singer can’t attend a singing event they’ve paid for.

I used to deal with each situation individually, which caused me a lot of stress and anguish. That’s where a clear cancellation policy comes in handy.

Think it's all going wrong? Spoiler: nobody's noticing!

I had a bad workshop experience the other day. I felt that the whole day had gone wrong and I wasn’t up to snuff.

Yet loads of people came up to me afterwards to tell me how much they’d enjoyed it. What’s going on here?

Become a better choir leader by taking classes unrelated to singing

As mentioned, I recently started going to line dancing classes.

What I hadn’t expected is that I’m learning so much about becoming a better singing workshop leader.

A nice problem to have – what to do if your choir or event is over-subscribed?

Some of us are lucky and sell out our concert, or have to close our choir to new members.

photo by Pacopac

It’s a nice problem to have, but I hate turning people away, so are there alternatives?

Choir leaders: it’s important to put yourself in your singers’ shoes from time to time

I don’t often get the chance to be a punter. But this week I went on a two-day voice and movement course and loved it.

photo by ssalonso

It was great to be on the receiving end for a change, and I learnt a lot about what it’s like to be a singer in a group

The practicalities of running a singing event: 7 tips for absolute beginners

When talking about choir rehearsals or singing workshops, the emphasis is always on the musical skills involved: teaching, conducting, vocal training, etc.

But if you don’t get the basic practical elements right, then the singing event won’t work.

How to promote your singing event on social media (and actually get people to come)

I regularly come across social media posts promoting events, but it’s not clear where or when they’re taking place. Or sometimes even what the event is!

photo by Ibrahim

People think just bunging an image of their poster on Instagram will persuade loads of people to turn up to their event. But it’s not that easy. Here’s why.

How can a group of “non singers” make such a great sound?

Recently I led a local singing day open to everyone and, as always, we ended up making a great sound.

photo by Paul Baker

But talking to people in the breaks, many of those who came claimed that they couldn’t really sing. What’s going on here?

We all fail from time to time – and that’s a good thing

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.

Always remember to bring a spare: song, set of lyrics, pen …

No matter how well-prepared we are, there’s always a chance we’ll forget something. 

photo by Kurt Nordstrom

That’s why it’s important to always remember to bring a spare.

Why singing together is magical and unique

There is something special about a group of people singing together.

photo by Jason Paris

And it’s not just about sense of community and the health benefits. It really is a unique activity.

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.

Always have a spare song up your sleeve

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.

The pep talk I give before every singing workshop 4: what if you already know one of the songs?

I give an introductory pep talk at the start of all my singing workshops.

The aim is to give out useful information, but also to reassure and relax the singers.