Starting back to choir after the summer break: 5 relevant reads

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.

Aiming high: trust the process, don’t focus on the goal

There is a big difference between succeeding at all costs and not bothering to make an effort. Neither brings true satisfaction.

The secret is to pitch somewhere in between: to take the work seriously, but to not lose sight of how relatively unimportant it is compared with what else is going on in the world.

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 to get off the concert treadmill — 8 questions to help give you perspective

Some choirs (believe it or not) are already researching new songs for their Christmas concert repertoire in August. Some even begin rehearsing their Christmas concert in the summer!

If you feel like you’re on an endless concert roller coaster and want to get off, here are some thoughts that may help.

The hidden costs of performing for ‘free’

Has your choir been asked to perform at an event for free? Or maybe you’ve been asked to run a singing workshop for a big corporation for ‘exposure’.

It’s easy for people to imagine that there are no costs involved in doing a bit of singing, but that’s far from the truth.

Who should sing soprano in mixed choirs?

I had an interesting query from someone recently. In their choir, the tenor men sang the soprano part (an octave lower) and the soprano women sang the tenor part (an octave higher).

They asked me if there was any rule in choral music about which gender sang which part.

By letting go of ‘perfect’ you open yourself up to perfection

I used to create a choir from scratch over six rehearsals – all strangers, no auditions. We would then present a concert of the songs we’d learnt. I was always amazed at how good we sounded.

One day one of the participants explained: “There’s no way we’re going to be perfect with so few rehearsals, so we let go of that possibility.”

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.

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?

Vital information when using a new space for singing

I used a new space for a singing workshop recently and realised (too late) that I’d forgotten a few practical things.

photo by Joshua Morley

I thought I’d list some of them here to you can avoid the same mistake.

How can you keep your singers energised?

No matter how engaged your singers are, there will come a time in any rehearsal or workshop when the energy is low.

Time to energise your singers! But how can you do that?

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.

5 obstacles that can stop you being a singer — and how to overcome them

Many people would love to sing, but something is holding them back.

Here are five common obstacles that can easily be overcome.

Choir leaders and singers: how do you know when you’re overdoing it and need to stop?

I wrote recently about Why your throat might be sore after singing. One of the reasons can be overuse. You’re just doing too much.

photo by Lee Haywood

But how can you spot when you’re in danger of doing too much so you can stop in time? Here are three ideas that might help.

Fixing a date for your next event – all the things you forgot to think about

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?

Singing without using your voice – a silent technique for rehearsing songs on your own

I’ve caught some bug from all my recent travels and workshops. I have a sore throat amongst other things. 

But I have a whole weekend of singing to prepare for and need to sing through the arrangements. What can I do?

Learn to harmonise using your favourite domestic appliance!

I was singing along with my electric shaver the other day – as you do.

I realised that it was a great way to explore harmonising in the privacy of your own home.

Why is my throat sore after singing?

I ran a full day of singing last Saturday. At the end, a few people came up to say that their throats hurt.

Let’s look at why this might be and how you might avoid it.

Toxic choir (and committee) members – how to stop them spoiling it for others

Many of the queries I get sent concern ‘toxic’ choir members. People who disrupt things and spoil it for others. 

photo by eek the cat

I thought I’d look a bit deeper into what’s going on and consider what you can do.