[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 choir's history begins in 1954, when Folk song and dance group "Ugnele" was established. For a long time, the choir existed as part of this group, performing with its dancers and orchestra, singing mostly Folk music; in 1999, Valerija Skapie...  moreThe choir's history begins in 1954, when Folk song and dance group "Ugnele" was established. For a long time, the choir existed as part of this group, performing with its dancers and orchestra, singing mostly Folk music; in 1999, Valerija Skapiene, the present artistic director of the choir, began working in "Ugnele", and in a few years, the choir's repertoire extended to include not only Folk, but also classical, jazz, world music; in 2002, during "Mes - Lietuvos vaikai" national choral competition, the choir was acknowledged to have reached the level of the first category (this is the highest category of artistic level in Lithuania). Journeys around the world followed - "Ugnele" has presented Lithuanian culture in fifteen countries from the Netherlands to South Korea; in 2004, the choir started a national choral festival for children, "Dainu mozaika". In 2010, the choir was invited to become a part of Vilnius J. Tallat-Kelpsa Conservatoire and continues to work...    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...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last time I looked at what music notation is for and if you need it to sing.   Sight reading by discopalace   This week I’d like to ...

FRIDAY 24 JULY, 9.15pm ALBION AND ALES at Buxton Festival FringeA late-night performance full of colour and lights... We sing some of our most colourful Songs and everyone gets a pint of Albion Ale (or a glass of wine or juice) to celebrate... TICKE...

This is my first EP featuring 4 of my choral pieces talking about Pain, Deptression, Sorrow, Death, Dreams, and much more. New Album available for streaming on all major music platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, ITunes, Google Play & YouTube Music, A...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   When I’m promoting a singing workshop or recruiting for a choir, I want a shorthand way of describing the kind of Songs I teach.   Pho...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week in Now THAT’S what I call singing! Volume 1 I shared some of my favourite Songs from Europe: Corsica, Georgia, Russian orthodox, gypsy, th...

Peace through Folk Choir's - MC Lester Simpson and Asst MD Penny Barfield. A mixed choir singing for Peace, Friendship & Reconciliation and a better world through music and song. Meets at Friends Meeting House, Leek, Staffordshire , ST13 ...  morePeace through Folk Choir's - MC Lester Simpson and Asst MD Penny Barfield. A mixed choir singing for Peace, Friendship & Reconciliation and a better world through music and song. Meets at Friends Meeting House, Leek, Staffordshire , ST13 5ES , UK. first Thursday and third Wednesday each month 7.30pm plus Sundays once a month 1.30pm. Contact www.peacethroughFolk.org includes diary, video and Songs.  

Back for the second year running but hoping there will be no snow this time, The OK Chorale are delighted to present their annual spring concert at St. Mary’s Church, Woodbridge, SufFolk on Saturday 29 March at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 (£2 und...