Choireland | Choir Leadership in Ireland

Sign in Subscribe

The Choir Boss

Ireland

A choir director of 30+ years giving their views and take on choral life in Ireland

Where Should They Stand?

Where Should They Stand?

The argument for pairing contrasting voices is that singers learn to listen and adapt more actively. Rather than blending naturally because they are surrounded by similar sounds, they are required to make conscious adjustments.

The Conductors Who Cannot Bear Silence

The Conductors Who Cannot Bear Silence

The strongest rehearsals often contain surprisingly little talking. Not because the conductor lacks insight, but because the conductor understands that timing matters.

Your Committee Has Become a Social Club

Your Committee Has Become a Social Club

A committee should exist to make decisions, solve problems, support the conductor where appropriate and create the conditions in which the choir can function well.

Your Choir Is More Tired Than You Think

Your Choir Is More Tired Than You Think

Choirs are not collections of full-time musicians arriving physically and mentally prepared for artistic excellence on demand.

The Singer Who Mouths During Difficult Bits

The Singer Who Mouths During Difficult Bits

Instead, the difficult-bit mouther remains theatrically involved while quietly outsourcing all actual musical responsibility to stronger section members.

Stop Trying to Keep Everyone Happy

Stop Trying to Keep Everyone Happy

Choirs suffer enormously when decision-making becomes overly reactive.

Stop Conducting Every Note

Stop Conducting Every Note

“A choir that cannot survive without constant conducting has not really learned the music.”