My first performance directing the Chester Songsmiths took place in Hoole this weekend at the Lights Switch On. It was most enjoyable and the ladies were in good voice. It has been as much a learning curve for me to pick up and work with their established style and repertoire as for the ladies to learn the new songs I have introduced over the past 9 weeks. Working without a score when you are used to having the notes in front of you can be a challenge but it does enable you to get ‘out of the copy’ and really ‘into the music’.
I’m really looking forward to the next few gigs we have lined up this season performing the festive a cappella set. Whilst singing on the street in Hoole didn’t offer the chance to have the piano there to bash out a few chords, we decided that, though we could have a piano for the next gig, actually there’s no need as it sounds great without accompaniment and that is the way we have rehearsed for the past few weeks. It’s quite liberating (and can be scary) for me as a conductor, stepping away from the piano, removing that support and just relying on gesture for direction!
The half-term break offers a chance to relax and reflect on the exciting weeks ahead. Many of my students are preparing for their first performance platform event which takes place in just over two weeks. This gives all my students an opportunity to perform their chosen piece in a relaxed and friendly, informal environment.
One of the most important things I realised when I started teaching the piano ten years ago was the value of time I had invested myself (however reluctantly at the time) in learning scale patterns. They really are one of the fundamentals of piano technique upon which much of the repertoire is built. Making it fun or simplifying the task of learning them is always a challenge for the piano teacher. There aren’t really any short cuts however this new book I have come across with visual guides seems to be particularly helpful. 
In January 2015, the choir’s rehearsal venue moved to Caldy Valley Church in Chester. Since then I have re-branded the choir to reflect both the geographic location and the style of singing group which we are. I mostly arrange the music we sing myself to suit the tastes and abilities of the singers. Starting from a unison, I add subtle harmony in places to colour the melodies but just enough so that the parts are fun to sing but still manageable to learn. The singers are also supported by mp3 recordings they can download from the website to do ‘note-learning homework’.
