summer singing news 2015

Hello <<First Name>> and welcome to the summer edition of my twice-yearly newsletter.

Here you’ll find details here of all my singing weekends for the rest of 2015 and on into 2016 as well as many of my one-off singing days.

My workshops tend to sell out surprisingly quickly, so make sure that you book up as soon as you can to avoid missing out. I have many disappointed people languishing on waiting lists waiting for others to drop out!

I’ve already sold over half the places on my Winter Songs weekend in November (and there are no single rooms left) and there are no more single rooms on Sing Africa in the Lake District in July.

I’m very excited to announce two new singing weekend venues for 2016: one near the Chiltern Hills and one just outside Peterborough. I'm also launching a monthly roundup of all the music and singing items I stumble across which you can subscribe to by email. And finally, I've decided to experiment with a singing weekend for men only.

For those of you interested in my annual Better Harmony Singing small group weekend in Cambridgeshire, it has now moved from April to November 2016. Worth waiting for!

Do feel free to contact me if you have an idea for a singing weekend, want me to run a workshop for you, have an idea for my blog – or if you have any general questions about choirs and singing.

You’ll find details of all my singing weekends below. Just click on the blue links to find out more. As always you can find up to date information about singing days, song arrangements, recordings, singing weekends and more on my website: chrisrowbury.com

I hope you enjoy reading and I look forward to singing with you in the future.

Have a great summer!

chris@chrisrowbury.com

singing weekends for 2015

24 – 26 July 2015, Brathay Hall, Lake District
Sing Africa!
An opportunity to sing and move to infectious African rhythms. There are nearly 30 people booked on this weekend, but we need some more men! I'll be announcing a few non-residential places very soon. No single rooms left.

25 – 27 September 2015, Farncombe Courses, Cotswolds
All aboard the gospel train
Sing the roots of American blues! A fabulous weekend of gospel singing for people of all faiths and none.

27 – 29 November 2015, Cromford, Derbyshire
Celebrate winter in song
A weekend of glorious harmony singing to celebrate winter. 20 people booked already, but still not enough men (can you see a pattern here?). No single rooms left.

two new weekend singing venues for 2016

I've found two great new venues for more singing weekends next year. Both are easily accessible by road and rail and are not too far from London.

The first is Felden Lodge, on the edge of the Chilterns. Just a stone's throw from Hemel Hempstead railway station, this large house is set in 32 acres of peaceful grounds and is near some beautiful countryside. All bedrooms are en suite and there is a newly refurbished relaxing lounge area and conservatory style dining room.

22 – 24 April 2016, Felden Lodge, Hemel Hempstead
Singing for all – a weekend in harmony
A weekend of glorious harmony singing, fun and laughter. No experience needed – just a love of singing!

The second is (surprisingly!) the Holiday Inn just outside Peterborough. This is a venue of a very high standard which not only has superb accommodation, but you can use all their leisure facilities (swimming pool, sauna, steam room) at no extra cost, plus just over the road are scenic walks along the Nene Valley in the Ferry Meadows Country Park.

3 – 5 June 2016, Thorpe Park, Peterborough
Harmony singing weekend
A weekend of harmony songs from across the globe. All songs taught by ear, no experience needed.

time for men to sing – a weekend retreat

I ran a successful singing day for men in Ipswich in February which attracted around 40 men, some of whom had never sung outside their bathroom.

I thought it would be great to do something more focused so I've set up a men's singing weekend in November. The idea is to gather between 12 and 16 men for a singing retreat. Away from the demands of family, work, choirs, performances and mixed voices, it will be a chance to work in detail on men's voices, harmony singing and generally having fun and making a wonderful sound in a safe and relaxed space.

With such a small group, it's important that everyone has a similar experience level. So it could be:

1. AN IMPROVERS WEEKEND for those who want to find their feet singing harmony in a small group, but who have experience singing in a choir

or

2. AN ADVANCED WEEKEND for those with small group singing experience who want to polish their skills.

I can't decide which of the two to go for, so it's up to you! Let me know if you're interested in a men's singing weekend (even if you can't make these particular dates) and which level you think you're at. Here is some more information:

13 - 15 November 2016, Claret Centre, Buckden, near St. Neots, Cambridgeshire
Men's harmony singing weekend
We will have sole use of this Victorian house which is set in a fifteen acre estate offering seclusion and tranquillity. With just 12 to 16 singers this is your chance to explore your voice in a safe environment with a supportive bunch of like-minded singers, all of whom want to explore and stretch their harmony singing abilities. Serious work, but in a fun style! Cost will be around £140 which includes full board, tea/ coffee breaks and all tuition.

Do spread the word: tell your friends, partners and work mates about this rare opportunity.

#getmensinging

singing days

As well as weekends, I run singing days across the country. As always, these singing days are open to all, no experience is necessary, just a love of singing. Here are a few that might tickle your fancy:

Saturday 27 June 2015, Stamford, Lincolnshire
All aboard the gospel train
Yet another chance to git down and sing those bluesy gospel songs. SOLD OUT

Saturday 17 October 2015, Winchester
Harmony singing day
Come and stretch your vocal cords and explore your voice whilst learning a range of fantastic songs from around the world, all arranged especially for voice only.

Saturday 21 November 2015, Letchworth
Sacred Songs to Soothe the Soul
Enliven your spirit with a feast of harmonies and learn songs from a range of cultures and spiritual traditions spanning the globe.

new monthly music and singing roundup

For those of you who follow my Facebook Page, you'll know that I regularly post interesting videos, articles, photos and jokes about all things musical, choral, vocal and singing-related. The famous Facebook algorithm means that most of you who 'like' my page don't get to see much of what I post!

So I've decided to make it more widely available by publishing a monthly roundup that you can subscribe to by email. Trouble is, I can't think of a great name! Here are some ideas:

Monthly Music Mag
Chris's monthly earworm
Singing Snippets
The Rowbury Report

Please let me know if you can think of a better name!

In the meantime, you can sign up here: tinyletter.com/chrisrowbury. First edition should be out in early July.

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about chris rowbury

I am a choir and singing workshop leader based in the UK (I live in Woodbridge, Suffolk). My workshops are open to anyone regardless of experience. I teach right across the UK and beyond and have 30 years’ experience of helping people discover their singing voice. I am a patient, charismatic teacher with a relaxed style laced with plenty of humour. I will get you singing in wonderful harmony in a matter of minutes!

You can find out more about me and my work on the About page of my website.

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