[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...

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

ALBION on Radio 3 - find out a little more about us (with the help of Radio 3 BBC engineers) follow the link on the picture.   Andy Throssell talks a bit about the Albion way to the background of Songs from these Islands.

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog from the Front of the Choir]   At the end of each of my one-day workshops I’ve recently started to record all the Songs I’ve taught during the day. It’s nice for peopl...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog from the Front of the Choir]   I’ve been asked to create a choir specially for an inter-faith event.   Photo by Catholic Church   there will be contributors from I...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog from the Front of the Choir]   It’s that time of year again. Summer is over and choir starts back. We choir leaders will be thinking about which Songs to teach for the next s...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog from the Front of the Choir] I always teach Songs by ear. Despite my strong belief in the oral/ aural tradition, there is an increasing number of handheld recording devices appearing i...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog from the Front of the Choir] I ran a gospel singing weekend recently. One of the Songs was flagging a bit so I suggested people ham it up a bit and be more “American”.  ...

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.