Harmony singing day Castle Acre, Norfolk
A fun-filled day of harmony singing taught in Chris's unique style: lashings of humour, oodles of fun and a firm, but gentle hand on the steering wheel.
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Latest news
Occasional random snippets to let you know what Chris is up to.
"Your sessions are fantastic and I encourage everyone I know to come along. The music is great, your enthusiasm is fantastic and you show all who come that they can sing."
Updated COVID-19 policy
27 February 2024
I have just updated my COVID-19 policy for those attending my singing events. Please read before you book.
Two weekend themes have swapped dates
23 October 2023
The new venue for my residential weekend in the Lake District, Glenthorne, has quite a small workspace. Which means that numbers will be limited and the singing can't be too boisterous. So I've decided to move my Lullabies around the world theme to July and do Songs of the sea in Derbyshire in October instead. Sorry for any disappointment!
September newsletter out today
19 September 2023
My September newsletter with news of my residential weekends and singing days in 2024 has just gone out to everyone on my mailing list. You can click here to read your own copy.
The weekends in April, May and June 2024 will all go on sale online at 6pm on Monday 2nd October. The rest will go on sale after my next newsletter goes out in mid-January 2024. Make sure you're signed up to my mailing list and be the first in line!
Covid policy updated
12 September 2023
I have just updated my Covid policy in light of recent UK government announcements and the fact that a new variant is circulating.
Next year's workshops to be announced in September
2 August 2023
My next newsletter will go out on Tuesday 19 September 2023 with details of my singing events for the first half of 2024. Make sure you're signed up to my mailing list to be the first in line!
My residential weekends in April, May and June will then go on sale on Monday 2nd October. They sell out really fast!
Chris in conversation with Tony Backhouse
15 February 2023
Back in November 2022 Tony Backhouse invited me to have a chat over Zoom and share some of my favourite music. It was a great conversation and we had so much in common. The video lasts about an hour and you can find the link on the About page.
January 2023 newsletter out now
19 January 2023
My January newsletter with news of my singing days and residential weekends for the rest of 2023 has just gone out to everyone on my mailing list. You can click here to read your own copy.
My next newsletter will go out in September 2023 with details of my singing events for the first half of 2024. Make sure you're signed up to my mailing list to be the first in line!
New booking system for singing weekends
14 December 2022
When my last newsletter went out in September, the two weekends on sale pretty much sold out within 24 hours! Many people were disappointed to find they'd left it too late to book. I realise not everyone looks at their emails every day, so in attempt to be fairer, I'm going to put a delay in between announcing weekends and when they actually go on sale.
My next newsletter will go out to everyone on my mailing list in mid-January with details of the remaining four singing weekends for 2023. They will then go on sale at 6pm on Wednesday 1st February. First come, first served!
If you're not already on my mailing list, you can sign up here.
Extra weekend and new venues for 2023!
3 November 2022
I have now added a SIXTH singing weekend to 2023 at a new venue in Telford in May. I've also found a new venue in Salisbury for my gospel weekend next September. The dates have changed too. For more information, check out the singing weekends page. Booking opens January 2023.
September newsletter out today
21 September 2022
My September newsletter with news of my residential weekends in 2023 has just gone out to everyone on my mailing list. You can click here to read your own copy.
When my January 2022 newsletter went out, four of the five weekends on sale sold out within a few hours! The weekends in April and June next year are now on sale. The rest will go on sale when my next newsletter goes out in January 2023. Make sure you're signed up to my mailing list and be the first in line!
All you need is love – concert of Beatles songs now on sale
9 September 2022
Chris has created a choir from scratch in just six rehearsals to celebrate 60 years since The Beatles came together as we know and love them. The group will be performing a one-off concert at St. Peter's by the Waterfront, Ipswich on Saturday 22 October. Joining the pop-up choir for the concert will be Calling Birds. Featuring a blend of guitar, violin, bass guitar, ukulele, flute, melodeon and harmony singing, Calling Birds will bring a unique flavour to their set of Beatles songs.
Whether you love early upbeat songs like Please please me, or prefer more moving ones like Eleanor Rigby, there will be something here for everyone.
Covid policy updated
25 August 2022
Community transmission rates of Covid are extremely low in the UK at the moment. But schools are going back, and autumn/winter is looming – the worst season for coughs and colds. I've updated my Covid policy to reflect this, although I will still be taking precautions.
Second Covid boosters and seasonal 'flu jabs are now widely available for the over 50s. If you're able, I strongly encourage you to get your jabs.
2022 singing weekends sell out in record time!
4 February 2022
My January newsletter went out on 31 January announcing my singing events so far in 2022. Of the five singing weekends I'm offering, four of them sold out within a few hours! (There are still a few places left, see my Singing Weekends page.)
People are desperate to sing together again, so the demand is high after a two year break. However, I have also reduced numbers on my weekends to 24, down from the usual 35 or so, due to Covid. I'm hoping that the situation will ease as time goes on, then I'll be able to offer a few more places. Contact me if you'd like to go on any of the waiting lists.
Click here to read my latest newsletter. If you're not already on my mailing list, make sure you sign up to get my next newsletter in September when I'll be announcing my singing weekends for 2023.
New Covid policy for 2022 singing weekends
10 January 2022
The Covid pandemic is still with us in 2022. Although it's impossible to know what the situation will be in a few months' time, I have developed a Covid policy for my singing weekends. This is based on the situation in England as it stands in January 2022. I will update it regularly as the situation unfolds. You can find it here: Covid policy 2022.
Singing days for 2022 announced
27 October 2021
I have three singing days booked so far for next year (more to follow). You can find more information on the singing workshops page of my website. Details of venue, timings and cost will follow soon.
You can also find details of my singing weekends for 2022 on the singing weekends page.
Keep an eye on my website as more workshops are bound to follow.
Newsletter now out
23 September 2021
My September newsletter is now out with news of my residential weekends in 2022. You can click here to read your own copy.
The weekends will go on sale when my next newsletter comes out in January 2022. Make sure you're signed up to my mailing list and be the first in line.
No singing in 2021!
9 June 2021
As I had feared, all my singing events for 2021 have now been cancelled due to the pandemic. As of today, we're still not allowed to have more than six individuals singing indoors, and outdoors is a maximum of 30. The government still seem to think that singing together is somehow more dangerous than all other organised activities, despite strong evidence to the contrary. Let's hope they see sense soon!
I am very much hoping that singing indoors will be allowed, and life will be back to some kind of normality, by spring 2022. I have weekend venues booked for next year from April, as well as plans for local pop-up choirs and concerts in Woodbridge and Ipswich. I also hope to be adding the occasional singing day in various parts of the UK.
I will be announcing dates for the first half of 2022 in my September newsletter. Make sure you're signed up and be the first to know.
Latest newsletter out today
25 January 2021
My latest newsletter is out today! It contain the latest news and information about my singing events from June 2021 onwards. It goes out to everyone on my mailing list. If you didn't get your own copy, you can read the latest newsletter here. Make sure you're signed up to my mailing list to get my next newsletter in September.
Singing workshops and weekends in 2021
22 December 2020
I have a few bookings and venues confirmed for singing days and residential weekends next year. I will soon be adding the dates for 2021 to this website. Because of the pandemic, I won't be putting any of them on sale until about one month beforehand.
The situation is so volatile at the moment that I will probably end up cancelling some of these events.
If any of the singing days or residential weekends take your fancy, be sure to make a note of the dates. (I'm sure you have plenty of blank pages in your 2021 diary!!) Keep an eye on the website for the latest news.
More information in my mid-January newsletter which goes out to everyone on my mailing list. Make sure you're signed up.
My singing events: the future
21 September 2020
My latest newsletter has just gone out to everyone on my mailing list. It makes pretty grim reading I'm afraid. I've cancelled all my singing events for the rest of 2020.
The pandemic has given me the opportunity to think about the future and how many singing events I want to run each year. I'm not getting any younger (!), so have decided to reduce the amount of work and travelling that I do.
That means that I'll be letting some of my regular singing events go. Locally, Sing Out Saturdays in both Hadleigh and Wivenhoe will be no more, and I will no longer be contributing to the singing sessions in Hartest two or three times a year with immediate effect. I will also be cutting back on the number of one-off singing days that I run. I plan to continue with three or four residential weekends each year.
COVID-19 and my singing events
10 September 2020
It's autumn now and six months since I ran my last singing workshop! We've slowly started getting used to the "new normal", people are wearing masks and social distancing has become second nature. The government guidance is even allowing singing groups to meet again, both indoors and outdoors.
Unfortunately, I'm not comfortable with either of these at present. We're probably heading for a second spike in cases over the autumn/ winter period, and many of the singers who come to my events are in the older/ more vulnerable category.
This means that I have cancelled ALL my singing events for the rest of 2020. I have some venues pre-booked for 2021, but I won't be announcing any dates until I'm absolutely sure that the events can take place safely. Fingers crossed!
Latest news on what's happening with my singing events
10 July 2020
Government advice during the COVID-19 pandemic is changing regularly. Given the current advice, it is unlikely that my monthly Sing Out Saturdays sessions in Hadleigh and Wivenhoe will be starting up again in September.
I have cancelled my Dartford singing day on Saturday 11 July and my Winchester singing day on Saturday 26 September
My other singing days from September onwards are still open, but this will almost certainly change so please keep an eye on this website. If you've already booked on a singing weekend or singing day, I will contact you directly by email to keep you informed.
You might find my recent blog post useful: How to sing together in times of isolation
Stay safe and let's hope we're back singing together soon!!
Singing in groups in the time of coronavirus
10 March 2020
Many people are concerned about whether singing events such as choir rehearsals, concerts and singing workshops are going ahead. The current advice from the UK government is to carry on as normal for the moment. But please don't attend if you have any symptoms of a respiratory illness or 'flu. And definitely don't attend if you are returning from a country at high risk or have been in contact with someone who has.
You can find some very useful information about hand washing, shaking hands, etc. on the Making Music website which also has links to further government and NHS information.
And here's a great piece about the new coronavirus and social dancing (which applies equally well to singing events): Dance in the time of Corona: A primer and suggestions on the novel Coronavirus and social dancing.
Listen to samples of songs from the Classicappella weekend
2 March 2020
I've created a fabulous new singing weekend where you will learn Western Classical pieces arranged especially for voices only. Not choral works, but pieces adapted for a cappella. All in a wonderful Lake District setting. I will be teaching all the songs by ear. There are still some places left, especially for MALE VOICES! To give you an idea of the kind of thing to expect, I've made a playlist of six of the songs that I plan to arrange. You can find them on my YouTube channel.
Latest newsletter out today
11 February 2020
My latest newsletter is out today! It contain details of all my workshops from July to December 2020. Booking is now open on this website. If you didn't get your own copy, you can read the latest newsletter here. Make sure you're signed up to my mailing list to get my next newsletter in September. Weekends sell out very fast!
2020 residential weekends to be announced in February newsletter
16 December 2019
I'm off to Mexico for a month in January, which means that my newsletter will be slightly delayed. It comes out in mid-February and will contain details of all my workshops from July to December 2020. Booking will open on this website at the same time. Make sure you're signed up to my mailing list to get your own copy. Weekends sell out very fast!
Paul Simon pop-up choir great success!
2 December 2019
Around 50 keen singers performed a set of Paul Simon songs to a capacity audience in Ipswich last Saturday. After just six rehearsals they had learnt eight songs in full 3- and 4-part harmony without an instrument or backing track in sight. Joining them on the night were local band Calling Birds. Their Paul Simon arrangements using guitar, melodeon, violin, bass and harmony singing complemented the choir perfectly. The audience even joined in with Cecilia at the end! You'll be able to see some of the highlights on my YouTube channel over the coming weeks.
Six new Christmas carol arrangements now available
11 November 2019
Chris has put six new arrangements of well-known British Christmas carols on his sheet music page. They are all very simple, mostly three-part and have been successfully taught to audiences at the end of Christmas concerts. So if you've left things a bit late and are still looking for Christmas repertoire, you know where to find it!
The new arrangements can be found in a separate Christmas carols tab on the sheet music page. You can also find other Christmas songs in the main catalogue: Sans Day carol (Cornwall), O come Emmanuel, Silent night/Stille nacht and Away upon the mountain top/Da droben am berge.
CONCERT: The Songs of Paul Simon
4 November 2019
Chris has created a pop-up choir from 50 local singers to learn acappella versions of some of Paul Simon's best-loved songs. They will be performing for one night only in Ipswich on Saturday 30 November. Sharing the bill will be local band Calling Birds with their unique take on their set of Paul Simon songs.
Improve your small group harmony singing skills on a weekend retreat
25 October 2019
There are just two places for men and two places for women left on the Harmony singing retreat (level 2) – one voice to a part weekend next March. If you've tried singing with one voice to each harmony part before, and want to improve your harmony singing skills in a small group of just 16 singers, this is a great opportunity. Early bird deadline is 27 December, after which it will cost an extra £20 per person for the weekend.
Autumn newsletter out now
24 September 2019
The autumn edition of Chris's twice-yearly newsletter goes out today with details of all his singing weekends and other singing workshops from January to June 2020. They are all now on sale on this website. Click to read the newsletter online.
New Paul Simon pop-up choir project in Ipswich announced
29 August 2019
You can now find details of the six-week pop-up choir project to celebrate Paul Simon's long songwriting career. Starts in Ipswich on Tuesday 22 October leading to a one-off performance on Saturday 30 November.
New singing day announced: Georgian and African songs, West Yorkshire, October
16 August 2019
Booking is now open for a Georgian and African singing day in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire on Saturday 5 October. Join me to share the delights of two of the world's oldest and most inspiring singing traditions.
Booking now open: African singing day near Winchester, November
22 July 2019
Booking is now open for my in Hursley near Winchester on Saturday 9 November. But places are going fast (only 16 left as I write).
You can book on the Sing Winchester website.
2020 singing weekends announced in September
1 July 2019
All my remaining singing weekends for 2019 have now sold out. Do drop me a line if you want to go on the waiting list for any of them in case there are any cancellations.
I will be announcing all my singing weekends that take place between January 2020 and June 2020 in my next newsletter which goes out in mid-September. Do make sure you've signed up to my mailing list to be the first to know.
10 new song arrangements now available
30 May 2019
Just uploaded:
- Shortnin' bread (USA)
- Ah ya zein (Egypt)
- MacTavish is dead (Ireland)
- Sevivon (Jewish)
- He puru taitama (New Zealand Maori)
- Kalinka (Russia)
- Keep on the sunny side (USA)
- All around my hat (England)
- Morning has broken (Scotland/England).
Weekends filling up fast!
29 March 2019
Most of this year's remaining singing weekends are already sold out, and the rest have limited spaces. Plus we need more men on some of the weekends, especially the Beach Boys, American harmonies and Experienced singers weekends.
Here is the remaining availability:
- Beach Boys bonanza, Wye Valley, 3-5 May: only two superior twins/doubles remaining + men needed!
- American harmony singing traditions, near Peterborough, 14-16 June: one or two places left for men only; singles, twins or non-residential.
- Sacred songs to soothe the soul, Lake District, 26-28 July: only one superior room left, plenty of singles and standard twins/doubles. Early bird discount ends 26 April
- Experienced singers weekend, Cambridgeshire, 1-3 November: almost full for women, three men needed.
Around the world in song, Woodbridge concert
4 March 2019
50 local singers will be joined by Scunsulata from Norfolk for an evening of songs from around the world at St. Mary's Church, Woodbridge on Saturday 23 March. An evening of song to stir the soul and warm the heart.
Tickets can be bought on the door. There will be a collection on the night for the charity WaterAid (improving access to safe water and sanitation).
Woodbridge Singing Safari sets off on Valentine's Day
8 February 2019
The annual Woodbridge Singing Safari (create a choir from scratch in just six rehearsals) sets off on Thursday 14 February, ending in a concert on Saturday 23 March. It's still not too late to join us.
Beach Boys in the Wye Valley – early bird discount ends soon!
22 January 2019
There are still some places on the Beach Boys weekend in the Wye Valley 3-5 May 2019. All single rooms have gone, but there are plenty of twins and doubles. Come with a friend. We also need more MEN! The early bird deadline is Friday 1 February, after which the weekend will cost an extra £20 per person.
Venue accessibility info now on website
15 January 2019
I am slowly compiling a list of accessibility information for all the weekend and singing day venues that I use. It is a work in progress and I'd appreciate any feedback you can give. Most workshop pages now have a link to the accessibility information page. Let me know what you think.
January newsletter is out very soon
2 January 2019
I send a newsletter out to everyone on my mailing list twice a year: once in mid-September and once in mid-January. My next newsletter will be sent out on the afternoon of Wednesday 16 January and will contain news of all my forthcoming workshops – one-day and weekends – for the second half of 2019 (July onwards). The workshops will go on sale at the same time on my website.
Don't miss out! Make sure you sign up to my mailing list to be sure of getting your own copy. Click to read last September's issue.
Two new Suffolk/Essex singing opportunities for the New Year
3 December 2018
I have just designed a brand new singing day: An introduction to mindful singing taking place in Woodbridge on Saturday 26 January 2019. Improve your harmony singing skills in a smaller group. Strictly limited to 20 singers (five places reserved for men). Advance booking essential.
I have been invited to St. Osyth near Clacton-on-Sea to run a Harmony singing day on Saturday 23 February. It's only just been announced and has generated a lot of interest already! Price includes a delicious lunch and lots of cakes.
Early bird deadlines looming!
26 November 2018
There is still a place for ONE MAN on the Better harmony singing weekend 29-31 March 2019. The early bird deadline is Friday 28 December, after which the weekend will cost an extra £20.
There are also plenty of places on the Beach Boys weekend in the Wye Valley 3-5 May 2019. All single rooms have gone, but there are plenty of twins. Come with a friend. We also need more MEN! The early bird deadline is Friday 1 February, after which the weekend will cost an extra £20.
Two new singing days announced
12 November 2018
I visit London twice a year to run harmony singing days: once in May and once in October. I've just added next May's singing day to the website and booking is now open. You can find more information on the London singing day page.
I also make an annual visit to Kenilworth in Warwickshire in early June. I used to live in Coventry, so it's a bit like going home!
Monthly music roundup out today
1 November 2018
For those of you who don't know (yet), every month I publish a roundup of interesting snippets about music and singing that I've been collecting over the years on my Facebook page.
It comes out on the first of the month and contains eight music articles, a song of the month, and a blog post of mine that you might have missed. It's easy to sign up to get your own copy (and read archived copies). Just pop over here: tinyletter.com/chrisrowbury and put your email address in. You'll then get every issue arriving in your inbox on the first of each month. Simples!
Singing Safari concert in Ipswich
30 October 2018
In October 2018 an intrepid bunch of singers set off from Ipswich on an imaginary Singing Safari to collect songs from all over the world. Their journey ends in Ipswich in November where they will share the songs they've learnt at St. Peter's by the Waterfront.
This promises to be an evening of singing to stir the soul, warm the heart, and revive the spirits on a cold winter's night, all sung in glorious harmony. We are delighted to be joined for the first time by the Columbines folk trio.
Where are all the men??!!
15 October 2018
For some reason men leave it until the last minute to book on my workshops. That means that many of the workshops end up with just one or two men and loads of women. But if I put a call out nearer the time, the men come flocking and happily book. Why is that?
So men: you are needed on my Better harmony singing: the small group challenge weekend near St. Neots in March 2019, my Beach Boys weekend in May 2019 in the Wye Valley and my American harmony singing traditions weekend near Peterborough in June 2019. Sign up now and bring your manly voices to the mix!
Beach Boys weekend now on sale!
10 October 2018
I have now heard back from the Wye Valley venue, Lindors Country House Hotel, with costs for 2019.
You can find full information, prices and booking form for the Beach Boys weekend there 3 - 5 May 2019 on the Beach Boys page.
October monthly music roundup out today
1 October 2018
On the first of each month I publish a roundup of articles, song clips, videos and other interesting snippets that I've collected on my Facebook page over the years.
This month's issue includes: What's behind stage fright? Examining the nature of silence; Alice Parker on a life lived in song; Do you have perfect pitch? 12 things you only know if you sing in a choir; Song of the month: the spiritual Keep your lamps trimmed and burning; and more!
Sign up here for your own copy and to read past issues: tinyletter.com/chrisrowbury
September newsletter is out today!
25 September 2018
I send a newsletter out to everyone on my mailing list twice a year: once in mid-September and once in mid-January. This autumn newsletter contains news of all my forthcoming workshops – one-day and weekends – for the first half of 2019. The January newsletter will cover the rest of the year.
Make sure you sign up to my mailing list to be sure of getting your own copy. Click to read the most recent issue.
Singing Safari sets off from Ipswich this October
11 September 2018
I now run three Singing Safaris each year (basically six weekly rehearsals to create a choir from scratch): a spring one in Woodbridge, a summer one in Colchester and an autumn one in Ipswich.
This year's autumn Safari will set off from Ipswich on Tuesday 16 October ending in an evening's concert at St Peter's by the Waterfront on Saturday 24 November. I am delighted to announce that this year we will be joined by the Columbines folk trio.
You can find full information on the singing workshops page. If you have no idea what a Singing Safari is, you can find out more on the workshop themes page.
A baker's dozen of new songs added to song arrangements
30 August 2018
I've just added 13 new songs to my set of song arrangements. Quite a few of them are British folk songs, and many are in English. There are also some tasty songs from Kenya and Tanzania as well as a cheeky vocal arrangement of the theme tune from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Songs are very cheap and you only need to buy one copy regardless of how many singers you have. Pop over to the song arrangements page and have a browse.
Sing Out Saturdays back after summer break
16 August 2018
Sing Out Saturdays are monthly drop-in singing sessions which take place on the third Saturday of each month: mornings in Hadleigh and/ or afternoons in Wivenhoe. Ideal for those who love to sing, but don't like commitment! Just turn up when you can.
We always have a summer break in July and August, but will be back with new songs and new faces on Saturday 15 September.
New responsive website design coming soon
13 August 2018
I've been putting it off for ages, but have finally got round to updating my website design! Most importantly, the website is now fully responsive which means that it should be as easy to use on mobile phones and tablets as on your desktop. Do let me know what you think or if you find something that doesn't work or is a bit clunky. Enjoy!
Privacy policy now online
6 June 2018
Prompted by the new GDPR regulations, I have developed a Privacy Policy which I have now put on the website.
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