Zoom workshops across the UK and the world!

“Thank you so much again for such a wonderful session yesterday – I know our members enjoyed it so much. Your energy was infectious and inspiring. You’re absolutely right about the members embracing change and I’m so happy that they welcomed you so whole-heartedly and got so much out of the session. The song-writing collaboration segment was also very meaningful in allowing the group to connect, share ideas and think a little more deeply about the ordinary things that give our lives so much significance, joy and meaning during this tough time” ~ London International Gospel Choir.

During 2020 and into 2021, choirs have been working on zoom to deliver the best alternative to live rehearsals. With technology learned very quickly and a great network of supportive choir leaders around the world, I’ve been delighted to work with choirs across the UK and even Australia recently!  Delivering choir rehearsals and workshops from the safety of my music room to your choir members homes via zoom. 

The feedback from the choirs and their leaders has been so positive and it’s really rewarding to bring the joy of music and singing during these challeging times.  From London to Leicester and even to Perth Australia! No jet lag, no motorway traffic jams and no worries about distancing. “Well done for finding Mary, she’s great and that was a super session. Wouldn’t it be great if she could come up and see us once we are back together?” SUCH a beautiful, positive testimonial.

Workshops or sessions for your group can be a stand alone workshop or a short series.

I can work on warm ups, vocal health first aid, breathing, musicality, wellbeing, harmony, rhythm. Collaborative work with your singers in breakout rooms to create something bespoke for your choir. Do get in touch as I’d love to support you and ‘meet’ you and your singers, wherever you are in the world.

With over 14 years of leading choirs in rehearsal rooms, I’m enjoying sharing my passion for leading choirs in the only current way possible.  Zoom choirs have given me an opportunity to work on new skills, embrace technology and make a new friend called Lulu (my trusty loop pedal with whom I can create instant harmony. She’s sometimes temperamental, often gives moments of hilarity. She’s quite a character!)

With thanks to the following choirs for inviting me to lead their sessions. London International Gospel Choir; Singing for fun Leicester; The Pub choir Bath; Vivid Voices Perth, Australia; Great day choir, Bristol; Singing for all, York; Milton Keynes Community Choir. Will you add your pin to my choral map?

Contact me anytime and let’s collaborate and create something wonderful. Costs are really accessible and we can work together to bring the best possible experience until such time as choirs can meet again. I look forward to hearing from you.

This Is A Voice:

A one day workshop with Dr Gillyanne Kayes & Jeremy Fisher. Sat 28th April ’18

We are delighted to be hosting a practical and inspiring one day workshop for choir singers. With top vocal experts Jeremy Fisher & Dr Gillyanne Kayes authors of the bestselling ‘This is a voice” and the One minute warm up app.

When : Saturday 28th April 2018.

Where : St Paul/s C Of E Junior school, Princes Road. Kingston

What to expect : Best warms up for your voice; Improved breath control; Get more range & power; How to sing high & soft; Improve your personal vocal stamina; Find different sound qualities for different types of music.

Cost : £50 (£45conc)

How to book : email mary@singingitback.com

Advance booking ONLY. Places are limited. Bring 1L bottle of water for personal use. Bring lunch. Tea/Coffee provided.

If you missed listening to our guest workshop leaders working with Michael Rosen recently on Radio 4 “Word of mouth”. You can enjoy listening to it here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09nvrs3

3 Flow: Create, Express, Reflect.

Our brand new half or one-day workshops will leave you with a Spring in your step, a song in your heart and a mind and body brimming with new found confidence and creativity to be your ‘authentic self’. Our experienced workshop leaders will guide you through ways to boost confidence, find your voice, develop your creativity and find ways to communicate effectively. Encouraging and nurturing your skills and developing ways to promote mindfulness, creativity and flow which can be incorporated into your everyday life. We are thrilled to be offering this brand new workshop which can be tailored to your group needs. The one day workshop can be brought to you in the workplace or we’ll find a suitable venue to accommodate a bespoke group. Workshops will include: Singing, Art and reflective practice. Groups will be kept to a workable size to allow all participants to take part in all activities.  email mary@singingitback.com to find out more.  

Our 3 Flow workshop leaders

Katharine Edwards. MA, Dip Couns, PGC

Reflect:

This workshop will give you the opportunity to develop your understanding of your own strengths – what you are good at,  what gives you energy and what other people value you for.

In a safe and relaxed space, you’ll have the chance to discover, or reconnect with, your strengths and your authentic self – who you are when you are “in flow.”

Building on this, together we’ll see how to increase confidence by doing more of what we love and being more of who we really are. Understanding the obstacles that get in the way and the resources available to help us, we’ll create individual plans to enable us to enjoy and enrich our lives in the new year.

Katharine is an experienced coach and facilitator, with a specialism in life and work transitions. Her aim is to enable people to see what they need to thrive in life and at work, and to support them in putting that into place. This aim of this particular workshop is to enable you to recognise your individual strengths and reflect on how to use them for more fulfilment in life, whether you are in paid work, a busy parent, a volunteer or any combination of the above. Katharine worked for several years leading the BBC’s Careerlink service. She uses a mixture of approaches in one to one and group work, always with a view to creating a relaxed and easy space for self-reflection and learning.

Mary Bourne. Founder Singing it back. Freelance choir leader.

Express:

My singing workshop is designed to encourage you to find your voice, increase your confidence, work in harmony with others and develop your listening skills. Breathing, posture, diction, rhythm, movement and voice work will be incorporated into the workshop.  We will be working in small groups and combining our unique voices to create a scratch choir. You won’t be asked to sing alone, and there is no need to read music. My workshops are often described as ‘fun’, ‘engaging’ and ‘uplifting’ and full of enthusiasm and joy. 

Mary has led choirs and singing groups in the community for the past 10years working with over 900 people from age 3months to 83 years! Her passion, enthusiasm and sense of fun, allows for even the shyest of singers to come out of there shell and find their voice. Her work has included musically directing the South London Military Wives choirs in the presence of Gareth Malone and HRH Queen Elizabeth (2012-2016). Alongside leading her own community and workplace choirs, she also leads a Singing for breathing class for outpatients at Charing Cross hospital. More information on her work can be found at www.singingitback.co.uk.

Tessa Kind: Community engagement artist

Create:

A fabulous workshop which will allow you to tap into and develop your creative skills. We will be looking at creating simple designs to achieve stunning mono prints, which you can take home. You do not need to consider yourself artistic or good at drawing, as Tessa will guide you through this fun and engaging workshop. As long as you go with the flow, we will bring out the best of your personality in print. You will gain confidence in your own ability to create and you should find working with the small groups rewarding. All materials will be provided, however, you may wish to bring an old shirt or apron to wear.

Tessa is a local community engagement artist, specialising in bringing people together to share new experiences through a creative outlet. Her work in Kingston Borough has earned her a Mayor’s Community Award, for connecting residents, organisations and businesses through her meetings, events and creative workshops. The workshops provide a platform on which to listen to each other, learn and often continue to work together. She is the creator of the fundraising ‘Rich Man, Poor Man’ events, ‘Sold on Kingston’ ceramic heritage trail and has collaborated with many artists and organisations. Tessa enjoys nothing more than seeing people grow in confidence while producing works of art.

Candlelit Taize Singing workshop

Thursday 15th December 2016 8pm

Come and join us for a very special evening of Taize Singing in preparation for the busy festive season ahead. Our workshop is open to all, regardless of musical experience. A fabulous opportunity to de-stress and meditate through the power of singing. These beautiful simple Taize chants will leave you feeling calmer, less stressed and have you feeling ready for the busy festive season ahead. Take a moment to reflect on the past year and leave feeling nourished and energised.

St Paul’s C of E Junior School Hall. Princes Road, Kingston. KT2 6AZ

To book your place email mary@singingitback.com

£8 (in advance) £10 on the door.

Autumn term 2016

Autumn term 2016 BRAND NEW

Thursday Evening ladies choir (6 week mini series)

Thursday evening ladies choir: Thursday 3rd Nov – Thursday 8th Dec

7.45pm – 9.15pm

Venue: Cornerstone Hub, 234a Canbury Park Road, Kingston.

This choir is BRAND NEW for Autumn 2016. Do come along and join us for 6 weeks. Learn some fabulous songs (with piano accompaniment). Ladies only (over 16s welcome)

£48 (6weeks)

Spring sing workshop 2016

Come along and join us for a FREE singing workshop to celebrate the end of our Spring term 2016. Tuesday 23rd March 2016. 8pm – 10pm. St Paul’s C of E School, Princes Road. Kingston. Contact us here to register your interest

Voice, Drum & Junk percussion one day workshops

Sing it, bash it, thwack it, shake it!

Our brand new 2015 one day workshop is one not to be missed.  Our workshop includes voice and drum and junk percussion and can include up to 60 participants.  A great workshop for team building and confidence, we’ll have your group making memorable music in no time. We’ll provide all the instruments and our vocal and drumming leaders come with a wealth of knowledge, humour and experience.

Workshops can be 1/2 or full day. Get in touch to find out more.