[the views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from almost 30 years of leading non-auditioned community Choirs in the UK, as well as adult singing workshops. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of songs from traditions ac...

English Poetic translation of Haitian Creole text: "Ding, ding, ding", I hear "ding", the bell strikes, "ding" the month of July strikes "ding" on all the calendars. All the Children are free, Teachers are gone, In all corners of the country, scho...  moreEnglish Poetic translation of Haitian Creole text: "Ding, ding, ding", I hear "ding", the bell strikes, "ding" the month of July strikes "ding" on all the calendars. All the Children are free, Teachers are gone, In all corners of the country, school is out! All the pilgrims are ready; it's the frivolous party season! the feast has begun, everywhere it's part time! Many have arrived at Lakou Migonga. Chickens, turkeys and ducks Are carousing in the yard. Fathers, grandfathers, brothers and sisters are gathered, Neighbors and friends, we all make one family. these are all customs in the country of Haiti. Artocarpus incisa, Millet, Sugarcanes are flourishing. Mangos and Avocados are falling all day long. the night before, it's wood burning, the next day, it's the ten a.m. Mass. Everyone's celebrating: Hail to Saint James the Great! It's "Fèt Chanpèt"! Oh, what a beautiful season, It's joy, it's festivity! After Plaine-du-Nord, at Limonade we party some more. It's the frivolo...    less

Welcome to WIFYS, the UK's first-ever international Youth singing festival, organised by Sing UK in association with the European Choral Association - Europa Cantat (ECA-EC). A week-long festival of music, friendship and discovery awaits! Highlights will...  moreWelcome to WIFYS, the UK's first-ever international Youth singing festival, organised by Sing UK in association with the European Choral Association - Europa Cantat (ECA-EC). A week-long festival of music, friendship and discovery awaits! Highlights will include a final night Gala Concert in Worcester's magnificent cathedral, featuring the World Premiere of a specially commissioned work from UK composer Bob Chilcott (Five Days that Changed the World with words by Charles Bennett), individual Choirs' concerts in venues in and around the historic city of Worcester, sight-seeing trips and activities for visiting Choirs, Welcome Concert in the cathedral, and a concert for participants given by a leading UK vocal group. With the festival being the first event of its kind in the UK, we have taken as our theme, 'Peace & Unity', to reaffirm the continuing mission of ECA-EC, and our own shared aspirations, to work towards a more peaceful world through the engagement of young people from different nations coming togethe...    less

This way we find a tuneful Lithuanian song for you composed by a from top to toe choral lover composer, Vytautas Miškinis.   Miškinis began his career at the age of seven as a vocalist in a Youth Choir, and continued as Artistic Direc...

German folksong about two hares escaping the hunter Arranged for mixed choir (SAB) by David W Solomons images from Walter Crane's Baby Bouquet. Words (slightly amended by Pastor Joachim Bremer) (translation below) Zwischen Berg und tiefem, tiefem Tal...  moreGerman folksong about two hares escaping the hunter Arranged for mixed choir (SAB) by David W Solomons images from Walter Crane's Baby Bouquet. Words (slightly amended by Pastor Joachim Bremer) (translation below) Zwischen Berg und tiefem, tiefem Tal saßen einst zwei Hasen, fraßen ab das grüne, grüne Gras, fraßen ab das grüne, grüne Gras, bis auf den Rasen. Als sie sich nun satt gefressen hatten, Setzten sie sich nieder, Bis dass der Jäger Jäger kam Bis dass der Jäger Jäger kam, Und schoss sie nieder. Als sie sich nun aufgerappelt hatten, Und sie sich besannen, Dass sie noch am lieben Leben war'n, Dass sie noch am lieben Leben war'n, Hoppelten sie von dannen. ========== Between the mountain and the deep valley there were once two hares sitting eating up the green green grass right down to the ground When they had had their fill they sat down Until the hunter came and shot them down When they came back to their senses and realised they were still alive they hopped away.  less

Go Forth on your journey, Movement 8 of Requiem aeternam by UK Composer Tim Knight

"CANÇO DE BRES PER A UNA PRINCESA NEGRA". Autor: A. Rodriguez Sabanes, Gabriel Janer Canta: Coro Encanto de Casarrubuelos Director: Mariano García Concierto solidario "Por esto cantamos juntos" celebrado el 23 de junio de 2013 en la Parroquia Santia...  more"CANÇO DE BRES PER A UNA PRINCESA NEGRA". Autor: A. Rodriguez Sabanes, Gabriel Janer Canta: Coro Encanto de Casarrubuelos Director: Mariano García Concierto solidario "Por esto cantamos juntos" celebrado el 23 de junio de 2013 en la Parroquia Santiago Apóstol de Casarrubuelos, a beneficio de Cáritas parroquial MAS INFORMACION SOBRE EL CORO ENCANTO www.coroencanto.com www.facebook.com/coroencantocasarrubuelos info@coroencanto.com  

Finalists Top Choir Kent 2014 For ages 11-21 Rehearsals on Mondays during term-time 5.45-6.45pm Emphasis on having fun with our voices, at the same time developing good vocal technique, musicianship and confidence in performing Concerts in local venu...  moreFinalists Top Choir Kent 2014 For ages 11-21 Rehearsals on Mondays during term-time 5.45-6.45pm Emphasis on having fun with our voices, at the same time developing good vocal technique, musicianship and confidence in performing Concerts in local venues and further afield, competitions and festivals Charge £15 a term ofollow">https://www.facebook.com//Elham-Valley-Voices twitter: @ElhamVoices  

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] [NB this post is about UK copyright laws. Although the situation will be similar in other countries, the various copyright and performing rights agencies a...

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I used to lead a women’s singing group. We tried a Bob Marley song once. One of the singers used to say: “If it sounds like the Women’s In...