24 August 2010
New book on directing choirs by Tony Backhouse
Tony
Backhouse's much-anticipated book
Freeing the song - an approach to directing vocal groups
is now available through the AMC Shop. Freeing the song
is invaluable reading for anyone singing in a choir, intending to
start one and looking for some pointers on how to go about it, or
anyone already running one and looking for trouble-shooting
advice or some fresh ideas to enliven choir warm-ups.
The book includes sections on running rehearsals, on warm-ups, performance techniques, on how to teach a new song and achieving the sound you are after, on conducting, improvisation as well as choir organisation. In addition to practical advice, Freeing the Song also includes musical examples.
Tony Backhouse has been directing choirs (Café of the Gate of Salvation, Honeybees) and running vocal workshops around Australia and New Zealand for many years. His background is in the area of African-American gospel, but his advice and many of the techniques are applicable to choirs who sing other repertoire, from amateur to semi-professional level, and from school to community choirs.
Further links
Buy Freeing the Song from the AMC Shop at $22
Tony
Backhouse - AMC profile
On the road with Tony Backhouse - article on
Resonate magazine
© Australian Music Centre (2010) — Permission must be obtained from the AMC if you wish to reproduce this article either online or in print.
Subjects discussed by this article:
The Australian Music Centre connects people around the world to Australian composers and sound artists. By facilitating the performance, awareness and appreciation of music by these creative artists, it aims to increase their profile and the sustainability of their art form. Established in 1974, the AMC is now the leading provider of information, resources, materials and products relating to Australian new music.
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