Beyond choir singing: exploring solo repertoire
Singing in a choir introduces thousands of people to wonderful music and provides friendship, structure and the pleasure of making music together. Many singers spend a lifetime enjoying exactly that. There is something deeply satisfying about being part of a larger sound, contributing your own voice to something that no one person could create alone.
But what if you find yourself wanting a little more?
Not more commitment. Not necessarily more performing. Just a deeper involvement, a discovery from within the music itself - and the workings of and connection with your own voice.
I think this is one of the reasons singing workshops, summer schools, and study weekends continue to hold such appeal. They create opportunities to step a little closer to the repertoire we love. To spend time with music in a different way. To listen. To observe. To have a go.
I have sat in enough workshop rooms to know that some of the most memorable moments happen when a singer decides to take that step. ...
Learning to sing without the pressure: why observation is so valuable
The inspiration of observation in singing
There’s a moment when we feel pulled back towards something we love, where the thought of moving forward seems just a touch daunting. Whether it’s singing, painting, or even revisiting an old hobby after many years, the idea of jumping straight in can be intimidating. Yet, in those moments of hesitation, there’s a valuable tool that often goes unnoticed: observation.
Learning without the pressure of performing
Observing vocal classes isn’t simply about watching others at work. It’s a process of deep learning, offering a chance to step into the experience without the immediate pressure of performing. For those returning to singing after a break, or even for those who have been refining their technique for years, there is something profound about witnessing another singer's journey in real-time. We listen differently, we notice more, and—most importantly—we allow ourselves the space to absorb without expectation.
Why watching others sing help...
Voice-works series:Â 8 Vocal Greats
Join us in Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire (UK) on 11–12 July 2026 for a Voice-works Study Weekend exploring Eight Vocal Greats. Across two focused and enjoyable days, we’ll trace a vocal lineage from Purcell to Britten, with each singer curating up to six pieces from this rich musical field. Observers are very welcome!
Your Desert Island Songs
26–27 September 2026 Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire
Your Desert Island Songs begins the new Voice-works Study Weekend year by exploring the repertoire that gradually inhabits who we are as singers.
A special Early-Bird Reward payment plan is available until 13 June 2026 for singers who step aboard early and begin shaping their repertoire over the summer months.
Final application deadline:Â 15 August 2026.
New! August Intermezzo
 A short interval or pause between larger events.Â
Running from 3–28 August, this is a new kind of Studio 5 space for the holiday weeks between terms - an online Intermezzo where you can stay connected to your singing in a simple, practical, and flexible way, even if life is busy or if you’re away.
Alongside weekly material, I’ll set aside time each week for an open, informal Intermezzo chat — you can drop in to ask questions, share ideas. If you can’t make a live chat, you’ll still be able to send thoughts and questions into the group space for me to respond to during the week.
This August Intermezzo is the first of a new Studio 5 idea that will continue to appear during the spaces between terms across the academic year.
Repertoire that meets you where you are.
A curated, confidence-building guide for returning, rebuilding, or refining classical singers. Includes expert commentary, a clickable playlist, and clarity on how to choose songs that truly fit. Instant download.
The Classical Singer's Path
A new Substack series, written from the inside out - glimpses into my own life as a classical singer, and the way I think about the art we share. It is quieter than the bustle of The Voice School, a place for reflection, stories, and ideas that might travel with you into your own singing life.. It’s free to subscribe, and early support means a lot as I get it going. You’re warmly invited to join me there.
Featured in Feedspot
Ranked #29 in their Top 60 Singing Blogs — a lovely recognition of our reflective approach to singing.
Stay connected with new events and all updates!
Singing Basics Guide
Getting to grips with or making improvements to your singing and the methods to achieve progress are all far easier and more accessible than you think.Â
