Singing in a choir can be profoundly uplifting - but not all choirs automatically feel safe, supportive, or mentally healthy. If you’re starting a new choir from scratch, now is the perfect time to lay foundations that protect and support the mental...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Many of us are wary of attending singing workshops or choirs when we feel that people will be a lot more experienced than us. This is particularly t...

As one of the main goals of present activity the youth choir Mūza sets the discover of new, interesting ways of expression in the music for itself and persons who feel the same way. In new season the choir continues to make up steps towards new artistic a...  moreAs one of the main goals of present activity the youth choir Mūza sets the discover of new, interesting ways of expression in the music for itself and persons who feel the same way. In new season the choir continues to make up steps towards new artistic activities. The main activities of the choir are finding the new ways to music, its expresion and presenting new ideas, cooperation with composers and many professional musicians. Now, the choir Mūza is making a new image and wants to show multiplicity of the choir music. In its programs the choir performes modern music and a big part is left of Latvian classical music as well as traditional Latvian folk-music. The choir Mūza was established in 1947. Its founder and leader through out many years has been maestro Leonids Vigners (1906-2001). In 1999 the choir transferred into new direction and it became a youth choir. From 2006 the artistic director and the main conductor is Guntis Cimiņš.  less

Please excuse the shameless self-promotion, but a piece I wrote about the science of singing came out in Slate today. I worked very hard to convey a lot—the joy, the science—in the most succinct way possible, and okay, I'm proud of the result!...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Staring at a blank page waiting for the muse to strike. Slumped in a chair waiting to feel energised enough to go jogging. feeling down and the last ...

Poem by Filippo Sirotti (b.1967) In the time that doesn't want to pass, in my heart I feel a strength that pushes me to say: "us" And when the sun has gone, I look for you in the sky among the other stars. As my soul is with you in the sweet n...  morePoem by Filippo Sirotti (b.1967) In the time that doesn't want to pass, in my heart I feel a strength that pushes me to say: "us" And when the sun has gone, I look for you in the sky among the other stars. As my soul is with you in the sweet night, and feels happy waiting for you, because nowhere is far. Recorded by Matthew Curtis (ChoralTracks). To learn more about the composer, visit his personal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/joshuabhimes  

Does chanting and mantra singing work?   We love to share mantras and chants with our HeartSong Normandie meditation groups and singing retreats. It can be such a beautiful experience and opportunity to calm, relax and feel the vibr...

Greetings fellow choral educators!   Please feel free to click on the links below to hear some of my latest choral music.  Send me an email if you would like some sheet music (great prices)!  I’m also accepting four more commissions...

"When you repeat a mantra, it drives away other distractions. It helps to keep your mind focused, calm, and centred."   Find your voice, sing from the heart, and feel good through meditation and singing. Relax, breathe, and sing simple, soulful so...

A Review of the The UK Choir Festival   As a complete newcomer to the UK Choir Festival, I was intrigued by what the Manchester event would deliver and how a room of 300 individuals could feel included. The answer is simple: energy, and by the...