[The views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from 25 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 across th...

live performance at TIMELESS April 2024. Knox United Church, Saskatoon. Composer Sherryl Sewepegaham is a Cree artist/musician in Canada.

One of the most common mistakes that choruses and choirs make when they create their websites is also one of the most obvious 'doh' moments possible.  It's so obvious that you might not even think of it, but it's surprising how many websites are mis...

In this special Oxford Series episode, I catch Dr. Zanaida Robles for a conversation about her philosophy as a composer, as well as the way all of her musical and personal identities mingle to create a context for her music making. We discuss the composit...  moreIn this special Oxford Series episode, I catch Dr. Zanaida Robles for a conversation about her philosophy as a composer, as well as the way all of her musical and personal identities mingle to create a context for her music making. We discuss the compositional process, including the philosophy she holds related to the "end product" for singers. Namely, the importance of the singers exploring their own communities and connections WHILE also exploring the music. We also bounce ideas back and forth related to composers having to be careful about "over refining" a composition, as well as the music world's attempt to balance goals of equity with the human need for each composer to be valued based on their OWN music and individual expression. You won't want to miss this conversation!If you enjoy this content, please consider supporting the show at http://www.patreon.com/choralosophy for as little as 3$ a month AND receive subscriber only content there. Please support our sponsors by checking out these sites. Be su  less

[The views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from 25 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 across th...

[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...

Performing Vukani Mawethu African piece at GACMA 2016

Adaptation by Sian Croose of a traditional joik called Nieida ('Girl'). A joik is a unique form of cultural expression for the Sámi people (or Lapps - region stretches over four countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia). This type of song can be ...  moreAdaptation by Sian Croose of a traditional joik called Nieida ('Girl'). A joik is a unique form of cultural expression for the Sámi people (or Lapps - region stretches over four countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia). This type of song can be deeply personal or spiritual in nature, often dedicated to a human being, an animal, or a landscape as a personal signature. According to music researchers, joik is one of the longest living music traditions in Europe, and is the folk music of the Sámi people. Its sound is comparable to the traditional chanting of some Native American cultures. This is from The OK Chorale's second public concert in March 2013 at St. Mary's Church, Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK.  less