[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   There is one vital ingredient to being a good singer.   Photo by Peter Smile   It’s not innate talent or vocal range or ability...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   The OK Chorale have just started back after a long Christmas break. This term we’re working towards our annual spring concert. I need to plan a...

Vocal group Jazzva from Slovenia was formed six years ago. The members, who sing in some of the best choirs in the country, decided they want more musical freedom and creativity, wilder beats and louder sound of their own voices. Jazzva's repertoire c...  moreVocal group Jazzva from Slovenia was formed six years ago. The members, who sing in some of the best choirs in the country, decided they want more musical freedom and creativity, wilder beats and louder sound of their own voices. Jazzva's repertoire consists of many different genres, pop, rock, classical music, jazz, arrangements of folk songs and many more. As experienced choir singers, they are used to singing with as well as without electronic amplification. They also try to incorporate some choreography to their own music, thus making it even more interesting and fun. At the moment, Jazzva is officially the best a-cappella group in Slovenia. In 2010, 2011 and 2012 Jazzva won at Sredi zvezd, the Slovenian national pop-jazz a-cappella competition three consecutive times. They also got a prize for the best vocal arrangement of the competition all three times (the last two years the arrangements were made by the group's artistic director Jasna Žitnik). Seven singers and beat-boxer love challenges and wit...    less

The choir is formed of around 120 adult members from all walks of life and age ranges. The musical Director has, since 2013, been Dominic Ellis-Peckham. We foster a friendly and supportive environment, and have regular social activities. We're relaxed bu...  moreThe choir is formed of around 120 adult members from all walks of life and age ranges. The musical Director has, since 2013, been Dominic Ellis-Peckham. We foster a friendly and supportive environment, and have regular social activities. We're relaxed but focused when it comes to pursuing musical excellence and have a keen shared purpose in developing our individual vocal skills, and pushing ourselves with new and challenging repertoire from across the centuries and genres. Each season the choir usually promotes around six concerts in London in venues such as St James's Piccadilly and St Paul's Covent Garden, and organises two weekend tours - one in the UK, and one overseas (recent destinations include Paris, Porto and Rome); and we regularly receive external bookings.​ Past engagements have included with Pete Townshend and Alfie Boe for 'Classic Quadrophenia' at the Royal Albert Hall, and with Madonna for the Eurovision Song Contest Final in Tel Aviv.  less

An uplifting and light-hearted evening of ‘Music from Stage and Screen’ was performed to a full house at Bridgnorth Baptist Church last weekend by Bridgnorth Choral Society and special guests Oldbury Wells School Vocal Group 'Encore'. musical ...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] Last week I looked at What is unique about singing together. In this post, I’ll consider which aspects of singing together can be duplicated online and...

[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 ...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many community choir members enjoy practising at home. And so they should.   Ernest Williams, tenor, Croydon Male Voice Choir by Philip Talmage ...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   People don’t often talk about the downsides of singing.     We constantly bang on about the health benefits, social aspects, etc. but...

[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...