Webchat with The Choir's Gareth Malone on Wednesday 5 February from 1-2pm

[RachelCMumsnet]

We're very pleased to announce that choirmaster Gareth Malone will be coming into MNHQ for a webchat on Wednesday 5 February. Gareth is best known for BAFTA-winning BBC2 show The Choir, the most recent series of which finished just before Christmas. He also made a programme for BBC4 called Why do we Sing?, has written two books, and is preparing to embark on a live tour of the UK in May and June with his new choir, Gareth Malone's Voices.

You can post a question to Gareth in advance below, or join us on Wednesday between 1pm and 2pm.

[rosyposybluebell]

Hi Gareth, a few years ago you did a programme about the challenge of educating boys in school and the different learning styles they have compared to girls. Have you followed this up at all and are you planning to revisit the subject?

[MardyBra]

Oh how exciting! Another choiry person here.

I see sparklingbrook got straight in there. We had a lovely thread admiring the last series where some of us imagined doing naughty things with you .

So many questions to ask... Will have to have a bit of a ponder, so I don't squander. But I'm also interested in STDG's question as, like her, I'm an old mezzo too but not quite as old as her

[WhatAFeline]

Hello Gareth! ( Waves)

The non-quiche called Wavers has a thread choir. It seems that an imposter GarethMalone came and auditioned us. and MNHQ might have asked the imposter for permission to use your name for your web chat. ( ahem).

I have 2 questions, as I'm letting you use my name.

Please will you pop onto our thread and give us a wave?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1975177-Q-When-is-a-quiche-not-a-quiche?

And,

What colour trousers would you wear for a MN choir?

[WhatAFeline]

Pah! Link fail,

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1975177-Q-When-is-a-quiche-not-a-quiche?

Pleeeeease come and give us a wave!

[AChickenCalledKorma]

Hi Gareth - thanks for giving me a kick back into choral music after an eight year (child-related) break. It's such a buzz and I'm amazed to find that whole massive chunks of the repertoire are still lodged in my brain many years after learning them.

Which brings me to my question. Do you have any tips for memorising music quickly? I'm a good sight-reader and have always been able to learn music fast off the page, but now I'm in a choir that likes to perform from memory. And I know that we perform far better without the copies, but it's quite stressful!!

[OuterFromOutersville]

Hi Gareth,

As others have asked, can anyone be taught to sing? I rarely sometimes think that I can sing, but at other times I think that I can't.

Sometimes I have a little sing, then I wonder what you'd say . I'd both love to / be terrified to audition for you.

And, finally, I love your clothes! You're what I like to call 'a bit of a natty dresser' .

[Ronan2011]

Hi Gareth I would like to ask you if you feel mood can be reflected by your choise of music.
For example i listen to Ronan Keating and your own music and feel it encourages me to be relaxed and a caring and positive individual
Do you feel aggressive repetative music, such as rock or rap can have a negative effectt on the individual.
I know its been recorded before, but would be interested in your take on the subject
Thankyou
cant wait to see you and voices on tour

[pourmeanotherglass]

my daughter is 11 and is really enjoying learning the clarinet and keyboard, but is worried about doing the bit in the grade 1 exam where they ask you to sing back some notes. She can't sing in tune, and if we try this at home my husband says she is quite a long way off. (I can't tell myself).
Can this come with practice, or is it something you're born with (or not)?

[WhatAFeline]

Some Wavers do sing!

[HawkeyeInChaos]

Hi Gareth



I'm another one who wants to know if anyone can be taught to sing (at least to a level where one can join in with social singing without embarrassment).

[pillowaddict]

Hello, my mum is a Primary teacher in a school in a deprived area. Music teachers are seen as a luxury. Any chance you would be interested in setting up a school choir in Edinburgh?! She loves your programme!

[maxpower]

Hi Gareth. Dd (7) and I love your shows. She's joined her school choir this year and I'm surprised how receptive she's been to feedback at local 'competitions'. What would your top advice to her be? Tia x

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

OK here's mine...

I have sung in choirs for quite a long time now, but am interested in getting better (I have a Secret Goal in mind). Only thing is, I know that it will definitely require a) Lessons and b) Practising!

So far I have cheated managed without ever doing much practising at home, I'm good at sightreading and note learning so got away with it. And although I'm quite happy singing with other people, I've never been keen on singing on my own, unless you count in the car with a CD...

But that won't work any more if I want to improve. So please can you share any practising tips for overcoming lack of time, small children (who are usually either wanting attention, or asleep and must not be woken) and most of all my feelings at the thought of actually singing out properly all on my own where someone might actually hear? Thank you!

[Blondieminx]

Squuuuuueeeal!



Hi Gareth, thanks for coming to MN . You're brilliant to watch on telly, I always really enjoy your programmes. I cried buckets at the Miliwives, that was brilliantly done.

My question: what has been your funniest parenting moment so far?

[LIZS]

Really enjoy the shows, will you be doing any other children's ones ?

Do you believe in the therapeutic benefits of singing and, given the aging population and increased diagnosis of Dementia, Mental Health issues etc, how do you think it could be used to reach those who could benefit most , perhaps in some sort of structured format or programme?

ps. Any chance of losing the beard please ! :)

[WhatAFeline]

Waves to Gareth and all singers. Very disappointed I can't join the web chat.

Enjoy national Gareth Appreciation day!

[WhatAFeline]

Ps thanks to Perp For vouching for my singing abilities.

I can vouch for the therapeutic effect of singing to help anxiety and depression.

[AtYourCervix]

I've just had The Most Brilliant Idea!!


Could you do a Mumsnet Choir for real for your next series?

It would be bloody amazing. Honest. Can you imagine Us in Real Life, on TV, Singing!!!?


Please?

And can I be in it?

[Sparklingbrook]

AYC we would all have to wear balaclavas so as not to be outed. Could look a bit menacing.

[Sparklingbrook]

Although-

'And now, welcome onto the stage Gareth Malone and the Mumsnet Balaclava Choir' has a certain ring.......

[Dumbledoresgirl]

Hello Gareth.

I don't have a question as such, but I would like to say how much I enjoyed the series you did when you went into schools and encouraged teenage boys to sing. As the mother of teenagers, 2 of them boys, I found it very moving to see boys expressing themselves through singing. Sadly, I would say, extra-curricular music provision in schools (secondary and primary in my experience) still seems to be dominated by girls. As a child, I thoroughly enjoyed singing in choirs and performing in concerts, and can still remember the boost of confidence it gave me. I feel sad that my own musically quite talented children have not been inspired to enjoy performance and have not been part of a choir since they were at primary school.

As I said, no question really but well done for the work you did with those boys especially.

[nobutreally]

Hello Gareth - another big fan here.

My son (who is 10 next week) sings in a 'boys only' choir at school - along with a fantastic, dedicated music teacher, it has revolutionized his attitude to music - and he is enthusiastically (& to my shock, successfully!) auditioning for every school solo/opportunity to sing he can lay his hands on.

So, my question is - how do we keep that enthusiasm up when he hits secondary school? I've seen his passion for dance wane as he realized it's 'not cool' and would love for the singing not to go the same way.

(And sneaky second qu: if we want to start taking him & his little sister to more classical/choral performances, where do we start looking - we are Surrey/London borders if that helps)

Thank you for hours of great, inspiring & uplifting TV