Chris is now officially 'barking mad'!

Monday, 1 February 2010

Following a sold-out Hits from the 60s workshop, Chris received the accolade of being a "lovely man, and a very talented and experienced tutor, but barking mad". Now there's something to live up to! You can read the whole article here on the North West Folk website

new workshop dates for 2010

Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Chris has just announced a series of workshops for early 2010, including World Songs, Classic Pop Songs, and Songs on the Eastern Wind. More workshops in April to come very soon. Check out the workshops page for full details.

follow Chris on Facebook and Twitter

Friday, 7 August 2009

You can now become a fan of my page on Facebook and/ or follow me on Twitter. Geeky or what??!! Of course, if you've no idea what this means, just ignore it.

why music moves us

Monday, 13 July 2009

We kind of know this stuff already, but scientist have put it on a firmer, evidence-based footing. This Scientific American article reports that music seems to offer a novel method of communication rooted in emotions rather than in meaning and that music's influence over us may be a chance event in our evolution.

foot and mouth present latest show

Tuesday, 30 June 2009

In July 2008 we shared a short piece of work to considerable acclaim. Now, after more hard work and training, our 12 performers have been working on new material to make a second short performance piece (about half an hour long).

Please join us on Tuesday 14 July for an open rehearsal of our second work in progress and feel free to give constructive comments and criticism! Our plan is to revive and rework both these short pieces to form a whole evening's entertainment. We hope to present the finished product this autumn.

The presentation will take place at 8.30pm on Tuesday 14 July in the Upstairs Hall of St. Nicholas School, Priory Road, Kenilworth CV8 2PE (parking in The Blundells). Places are strictly limited, so please let me know if you intend to come. Latecomers will not be admitted as there is a security lock on the door.

vox mondiale summer gig on the lawn

Thursday, 25 June 2009

Vox Mondiale will be performing an open-air summer evening gig at Deeping St. James Priory Church (near Peterborough) on Saturday 4 July. Gates open 7pm, music from 7.30pm until 10.30pm. Bring picnic, wine, candelabra, tables, chairs, sofas, ...

Priory Church, Churchgate, Deeping St James PE6 8NP. Tickets £6 (adults), £4 (concs. and children), £15 family (2 adults, 2 children) on the gate or phone Johanna: 01778 345261

singing makes you happy!

Monday, 25 May 2009

Yet more news (as if we needed it!) that singing is good for you (from the Daily Telegraph: Sing your way to happiness.

Two points stuck out for me: Dr Danny Williams, a member of the British Osteopathic Association, often refers patients with muscular problems to join a choir.

"The types of people I recommend take up singing are stressed individuals or desk workers who, due to being in a slumped sitting position for much of the day".

Well I reckon that just about covers all of us! And also, the point that singing in a choir can also contribute to an increased sense of community and foster a sense of belonging. Hear, hear!

Warwick Folk Festival singing safari definitely going ahead!

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Thanks to your support and patience, the Festival have just announced that this year's singing safari will now go ahead at a cost of £20 for six sessions leading up to a performance on Sunday 26 July.

Singing opportunity at Warwick Folk Festival

Thursday, 7 May 2009

Lots of people have been asking if there will be another Singing Safari this year.

For those of you who've not heard about this annual project for the Warwick Folk Festival, it is basically a community choir formed especially for the Festival. A disparate group of people have gathered for each of the last three years to learn traditional songs from around the world which have then been performed during the weekend of the Folk Festival.

The commitment is for six weekly two-hour sessions leading up to the Festival, then the performance itself on the Sunday. Everyone is welcome whether you've sung before or not. All songs are taught by ear and no musical knowledge is needed, just a love of singing!

As you can imagine, in the midst of a recession, money is tight and this year the Festival has not been able to get all the funding that it had hoped for. Which means, if the Singing Safari is to run, we can't make it free this year (sorry!).

So ... before we can decide whether to go ahead, we need to gauge the interest for the project. We are thinking of charging a lump sum of around £20 per person for the whole project: six weekly sessions, rehearsal on the day of the performance, and a public performance as part of the Festival.

Can you please contact me AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to let me know if you want to be part of the Singing Safari this year and will be willing to pay a lump sum for the privilege? Please also pass this onto anyone else who you think might be interested. The more the merrier!

If the project goes ahead, it will probably start the week of Monday 15th June, be on a Monday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, and will take place in Warwick. The Folk Festival is the weekend of 24th to 26th July and our performance will probably be on the Sunday around lunchtime.

You can find photos and sound clips from the 2007 Singing Safari and you can also read a little more about 2007's Singing Safari.

Remember: please contact me AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, so we can get the ball rolling if there's enough interest. Time is of the essence. Thanks.

And finally ... we're looking for a good name for the project which doesn't use the word 'choir', mentions 'folk festival' and lets people know it's about singing. Any ideas?

Teaching the teachers!

Monday, 2 February 2009

Saturday just gone I ran my first ever workshop for people who work with children (I don't deal with the darlings directly myself!). I looked at physical and vocal warm ups and how to introduce simple harmony singing in a fun way. I was surprised how successful it was, although we all ended up very tired at the end as I tried to squeeze so much into the day! If you work with kids, I'll be running another workshop on Sunday 7 June, this time looking at teaching, conducting and performing songs. It will be very hands on!

TWO places left on Farncombe ABBA weekend

Friday, 30 January 2009

A couple of people have dropped out of the ABBA weekend, so there are now TWO places available. Book right now to avoid disappointment!

new ABBA workshops added

Monday, 19 January 2009

Since the Farncombe ABBA weekend sold out so quickly, I've been able to add a couple of one-day ABBA workshops later in the year, one in May and one in October. Full details will be added as soon as I get them, so do check back regularly, or even better, go on Chris's mailing list to be kept informed.

singing is good for you!

Tuesday, 6 January 2009

Singing in a choir is good for your health, according to research from Sweden. The study showed that singing in a group increased positive emotions, decreased negative ones, and left participants happier, more alert and relaxed. It improves posture and exercises your abdominal muscles too.

new workshop added at Farncombe

Monday, 22 December 2008

Well, the ABBA workshop at the Farncombe centre sold out pretty quickly! Must be the Mamma Mia effect. Since Chris seems to be so popular there (his Beatles workshop sold out last time too), Farncombe have added an extra weekend Beach Boys workshop in September. It's not too late to book an ABBA workshop for your own singing group.

singing holidays abroad

Wednesday, 17 December 2008

Bookings are now being taken for singing holidays in Italy (May) and Morocco (November).

blog birthday

Tuesday, 2 December 2008

Hard to believe, but Chris started writing his blog two whole years ago today! He has faithfully made 109 separate posts since then on a wide range of topics.

how to start a community choir

Saturday, 1 November 2008

Chris has started writing a series of posts on his blog entitled How to start your own community choir.