African-American choral music grew out of the oral tradition of spirituals that was created by African slaves.  These Songs, influenced by Christianity and rooted in African culture, expressed the hardship and hope of African slaves in the United Sta...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   “You can’t run a singing workshop here, we don’t have a piano.”   photo by Thomas Quine   It’s amazing ...

Ov'é, lass', il bel viso -- No. 1 from Madrigali: Six Fire Songs by Morten Lauridsen. Performed by the TUKS Camerata (University of Pretoria, South Africa), conducted by Walter Butt

Uniquely among choral groups, Albion is dedicated to the exploration and performance of the Songs of the British Isles. The islands' musical heritage stretches back a thousand years, offering a rich store of treasures: dances, folkSongs, madrigals, plains...  onclick="$(this).getParent().getNext().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">moreone;">Uniquely among choral groups, Albion is dedicated to the exploration and performance of the Songs of the British Isles. The islands' musical heritage stretches back a thousand years, offering a rich store of treasures: dances, folkSongs, madrigals, plainsong chants, airs, anthems, and more. In their variety and beauty, they lie at the heart of Albion's inspiration. Many of the Songs are hundreds of years old, but in Fraser Wilson's arrangements they are reclothed in lush contemporary colours. Working with up to twelve singers at a time, Albion performs mostly unaccompanied, allowing the purity of the human voice to sound across the centuries. The group is known for its fresh sound and vibrant energy, and for warm, wholehearted music-making.  onclick="$(this).getParent().getPrevious().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">less

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   This post is part of a series of occasional Questions and Answers. Just use the contact form if you want to submit a question.     Lind...

Mitschnitt der Uraufführung am 01. Juni 2012, Berlin. Fabulous Fridays, Leitung Michael Betzner-Brandt Kamera und Schnitt: Olaf Merker

Ginger and Tonic perform their version of Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head" at SingFest 2012 on the Gold Coast, Australia.

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   It’s that time again here in the UK: Choir of the Year 2012 auditions are under way.     Quite often choir members come up to me t...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   A concert is looming and there are a couple of Songs you don’t know that well.   Photo by _foam   You’ll need to put in s...