[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...

Advent 2014 Musica Vocal School Maša Simčič - soprano Neja Šavle - alto Aleš Magajne - baritone Luka Trček - bass Robert Feguš - tenor, artistic director http://www.musicaensemble.org

Patapan is a traditional song from the Burgundy region in France. It’s also known in English as Willie Take Your Little Drum. It was written by Bernard de la Monnoye around 1700. My English version here is a singing translation, so feel free to sing ...  morePatapan is a traditional song from the Burgundy region in France. It’s also known in English as Willie Take Your Little Drum. It was written by Bernard de la Monnoye around 1700. My English version here is a singing translation, so feel free to sing along in English :-) Guillaume prends ton tambourin Toi, prends ta flûte, Robin; Au son de ces instruments "Turelurelu, patapatapan" Au son de ces instruments Je dirai Noel gaîment. Willie take your little drum With your flute oh Robin come With the sound of flute and drum tootle tootle toot, bing a bang a boom with the flute and with the drum I will say Nowell with joy. C'était la mode autrefois De louer le Roi des rois Au son de ces instruments "Turelurelu, patapatapan" Au son de ces instruments Il nous en faut faire autant. In the goodly olden days The king of kings we'd praise with the drum and with the flute tootle tootle toot, bing a bang a boom, with the flute and with the drum we should do alike just so  less

O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM : Ivo Antognini, composer University of Johannesburg Choir - Renette Bouwer, choirmaster Recorded on 21 October 2013 by Alli Heyns in Randburg NG Kerk (South Africa)

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day Traditional English/arr. Shaw & Parker Recorded live December 16, 2023 St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Dallas, TX

"If Christ had been Born in Another Time" by Matthew Orlovich. Saturday, December 3, 2016 Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook, IL

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] On the face of it, a workshop or Concert can be a resounding success.   photo by Andy Armstrong   But ask individuals about how they think ...

A very special recording by the global singers of Homechoir, who recorded this beautiful piece in October 2023. British composer and baritone singer Jamie W Hall wrote O Nata Lux to support #ChoirsAgainstCancer, and Homechoir helped to raise over £5k for...  moreA very special recording by the global singers of Homechoir, who recorded this beautiful piece in October 2023. British composer and baritone singer Jamie W Hall wrote O Nata Lux to support #ChoirsAgainstCancer, and Homechoir helped to raise over £5k for Macmillan Cancer Support through this recording.  

That Choir Carols - December 13, 2015 (conducted by Craig Pike) Metropolitan United Church, Toronto ON Recorded by Kris O'Reilley Angels - Kathleen Allan www.thatchoir.com

Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle Music: St. Alfonsus Maria de Liguori Lyrics: Pope Pius IX arr. by Giuseppe Tiralongo Sunday, December 2, 2018 Congregational Church of Batavia, IL