Columns & Series
Monday Motivation
Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it. Bruce Lee
Columns & Series
Repertoire Corner
Repertoire Corner remains, I am afraid, rather infrequent, but I have some new music that I hope to review over the next few weeks, starting with Lin Marsh’s Serendipidy Solos The Cuckoo Clock – Lin Marsh [AB(2)] I’m quite new to Lin Marsh’s work, but I’m pleased to say Read more…
Columns & Series
Monday Motivation
No good opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible. W. H. Auden
Columns & Series
Friday Favourites
I’ll be honest, it’s been a long month, but now, a new year is well under way, and so are the best blog posts about music and music teaching! Posts on learning 3 Elements of Showmanship (The Musicians’ Way) – Find out what three traits you should be developing Read more…
For Learners
Old Wives Tales: You Can’t Sing if You Have a Cold
It’s January, and that means it’s cold season! When you have a cold, often, it can seem like a bad idea to keep singing. Singers often cancel gigs because they have a cold. So should you stop singing if you have the sniffles? There’s a very simple rule with singing Read more…
For Learners
Three Key Practice Principles
In the theme of New Years resolutions, we’re taking a look at what makes practice good practice. Many musicians resolve to practice more, but that often falls by the wayside because they don’t have good practice habits. This post will give you three key principles for practicing that will make Read more…
For Learners
5 New Years Resolutions Singers Should Make
January is that time when we all look at our post-Christmas selves and consider the improvements we could make to our lives. Us musicians are no different. We’re all making resolutions to practice for two hours a day and watch more operas. If you’re one of us, here are five Read more…
For Learners
Setting Goals for your Music – Why You Should be SMART [repost]
This is a re-post of an article I published last May. As it’s a New Year, I thought this might be a good time to share it again. No matter what it is you’re learning, setting yourself a target is essential. You need to know where you’re going to Read more…
Columns & Series
Repertoire Corner
[Introductory Remarks] He Shall Feed His Flock – Handel [AB(x);LCM(x);TG(x)] Text. [Lyrics] [YouTube] * * * I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls – Balfe (Bohemian Girl) [AB(x);LCMMT(x);TG(x)] Text. [Lyrics] [YouTube]
Concerts
Review: The Messiah (2014)
As has become tradition for me and my friends, 2014’s theatre-going opens with the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union’s Messiah. For 127 years, ERCU have been performing this work at the Usher Hall on the 2nd of January, and I’ve been every year for the last five years. Where and When: Usher Read more…