Jackie Edwards's Blog Entries

  • Why Are Punk Rock Choirs Coming to the Fore?

    If you’ve already heard the HSS Choir belt out their a capella version of I Wanna Be Sedated by the Ramones or the Blue Ribbon Glee Club putting a whole new spin on Wreckless Eric’s (I’d Go the) Whole Wide World, then the idea of a punk or rock choir may almost seem like an oxymoron. In fact, nothing could be further tha... read more
  • Here's How Choirs Can Raise Funds For Charity

    One of the most significant teachings from God is fostering the spirit of generosity towards others by providing aid to those in need. Church members willingly extend a helping hand and give their assistance to others, through actions such as aiding the less fortunate, persons with disabilities, teaching children, or even lending support to a troub... read more
  • Making Professional-Sounding Choir Recordings In Rehearsal

    Over 400 million people around the world regularly stream music. It's a quick, easy and accessible way of sharing your choir’s music with the community. You don’t need to invest in expensive equipment, however, to be able to make professional-sounding recordings of your choir. You can do this using a stereo mic set up in rehea... read more
  • The Evolution Of Choir Rehearsals Over The Next Few Years

    According to the Big Choral Census, there are more than 2 million people in Britain that sing in a choir. However, over the past year, face-to-face choir rehearsals haven’t always been possible. Many choirs have rehearsed together using video conferencing like Zoom or Skype. Although this may not always be as satisfying as a large g... read more
  • What Should I Use As A Zoom Background For My Choir Rehearsal?

    More than 10 million people use Zoom every day - working and meeting friends online has swiftly become a way of life. For choirs, having online rehearsals has become a necessity, and choirs have quickly adapted to having “virchearsals” and practising together, but as individuals. For choir leaders everywhere, this ta... read more
  • Singing To Your Dog: All The Reasons Why You Should Sing To Your Pet

    The Covid-19 pandemic has caused worldwide cancellations of mass gatherings, including concerts, choral competitions, and performances as a way to prevent the further spread of the virus. As a result, artists have turned to technology as a way to perform again, with big acts such as Josh Groban, BTS, Pearl Jam, and the National Symphony Orchestra p... read more
  • Atmospheric Music For Your All-Abilities Choir

    Atmospheric choral music often includes at least four harmony parts, sometimes many more. For the average village or community choir this can be a challenge to say the least, especially when many of the singers have limited experience or are non-music readers. For an all-abilities choir often music is best learned by ear or a call and rep... read more
  • Singing Abroad - Developing Into An International Choir

    One of the beauties of choir is that the message sung often cuts across cultures and international boundaries. A traveling choir is one of the best ways to experience choir, and some of the most famous in the world - such as the Monteverdi choir - embark on truly massive worldwide tours, with current travel restrictions finding them watched by... read more
  • Myers-Briggs Personalities in the World of Singing

    Ever since the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test was first founded back in 1962, countless curious individuals have used it in a bid to gain a greater understanding of their own characters. While singers do not necessarily seek out personality analysis for the same reason as business managers would, it could still provide a fai... read more
  • Run A Virtual Choir Rehearsal With Ease

    The 2020 Olympics. The 74th Annual Tony Awards. The Cannes Film Festival. These major events have all been postponed due to the global outbreak of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing. However, your choir rehearsal does not need to be a part of that list. Thanks to online meeting platforms, you can still hold a productive rehearsal... read more