[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the choir]   Nat started his choir four years ago. He has slowly built the numbers up to a fairly stable 35 or so, but thinks it’s time for a change.   &n...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the choir]   It can be tough joining a new choir, especially if you’re an under-confident singer.   Painting ("Little little girl 29") by susie mendelss...

[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. Philippa writes:  ...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the choir]   I read an article in the latest Sounding Board (the journal of community music from Sound Sense) about the University of Sunderland’s new BA in...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the choir] Back in 2015 I was in bed for 10 days with a nasty bout of ’flu. for the first time in my 18-year career I had to cancel a choir concert.   ...

Colloque Sentimental English version by S N Solomons after the poem by Paul Verlaine music for three altos a cappella, composed and performed by David W Solomons Colloque Sentimental - (translation by S N Solomons after Paul Verlaine) In the age-...  moreColloque Sentimental English version by S N Solomons after the poem by Paul Verlaine music for three altos a cappella, composed and performed by David W Solomons Colloque Sentimental - (translation by S N Solomons after Paul Verlaine) In the age-old park, treading the icy grass Two lone forms ere a while went past. Their eyes are dead, their lips are soft and moist, Almost inaudible their voice. In the cold lonely park, pacing the grass, Twin lonely spectres hAve evoked the past. "Dost thou recall our ecstasy of old?" "Why would you think I should recall?" "And at my name does thy heart pulse and grow? And in thy dreams seest thou my soul?" "No!" "Those lovely days of unheard bliss and free ... We fused our lips as one!" "Ah, that might be." "How blue the heAvens and our hope how high!" "Hope has fled vanquished to the sombre sky." And so they wandered in the unkempt grass, And night alone heard all the words that passed.  less

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the choir]   In many ways, we are all defined by the songs we choose to sing. Our favourite ditties say a lot about our tastes, background, age, religion and culture. &...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the choir] I often get asked this, along with “How can I sing high without hurting myself?” photo by Allisonnik There is no quick fix, but here are some ...

Vitaly Filippov (tenor, a member of the choir) Recorded May 24, 2005 in the State Historical Museum (Moscow, Red Square) -------------------------------------------------------- The lyrics of the song is Thomas Moor's (1779—1852) "Those Evening B...  moreVitaly Filippov (tenor, a member of the choir) Recorded May 24, 2005 in the State Historical Museum (Moscow, Red Square) -------------------------------------------------------- The lyrics of the song is Thomas Moor's (1779—1852) "Those Evening Bells" translated by Russian poet Ivan Kozlov (1779—1840). Those evening bells! Those evening bells! How many a tale their music tells of youth, and home and that sweet time, When last I heard their soothing chime. Those joyous hours are past away, And many a heart that then was gay Within the tomb now darkly dwells And hears no more these evening bells. And so 'twill be when I am gone; That tuneful peal will still ring on while other bards will walk these dells, and sing your praise, sweet evening bells.  less