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.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Hi Gareth. Loving "The Choir" - especially when they did gospel - utterly fabulous
My question .... I've always worked with young children and am pretty sure that music has been rather squeezed out of the new EYFS (early years foundation stage) curriculum. There used to be a section on "Creative development" (which included some music) but now I think it's been changed to "Art and design" (which doesn't appear to include music specifically)
How important do you think it is to include an introduction to music and opportunities for music making in children's education ?

BTW Happy to be told that music is still in the EYFS somewhere by anyone who knows more than I do !

[Rosie29]

Hello,

What is your favourite song? You know, the one that comes on the radio and has you dancing round the kitchen!

Regards Rosie

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

I've just been looking up the EYFS and see that the creative element is actually headed "Expressive arts and design" so hoping that does encourage and support young children's involvement in music and music making (Am finding it difficult to download details).

Still, you could say music doesn't get a specific mention in the EYFS headings and perhaps it should ?

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Oh, I've thought of another slightly more exciting question (I never seem to be able to stick to one on these web-chats, sorry MNHQ But you can choose which one to answer Gareth (if any)) ....

Anyway, my DH got a ukulele for Christmas, and I'm thinking of taking it up too, especially to support by very un-reliable voice when singing with groups of young children. Do you think this would be a good idea and help with singing vaguely in tune ?

[Blondieminx]

Ahahaha sign me up for the MN Balaclava Choir!

[LatinForTelly]

Hi Gareth,

What is your favourite piece of choral music to sing and/or conduct?

And also very interested in your answer to TalkToFrank's question up there ^^ about importance of music teaching in schools.

[liger]

Hello Gareth!

We live in the same neck of the woods and I sometimes see you and your family out and about ( not that I'd ever be uncouth to show that I might know who you are !)
What are your favourite bits about the area you live in ?

By the way when will your wife be doing her own series on fascinating things she seems as equally down to earth and interesting as you ( naturally).

Enjoy the mumsnet experience!

[morethanpotatoprints]

Hello Gareth.

I just wanted to thank you for inspiring my daughter.
She saw the programme you did with the children at the school, can't remember what it was called now.
She is very gifted musically and sings like an angel.
Last year she auditioned for a famous children's choir where she has gone from strength to strength. Thank you.

Question: We are typically working class, but can just afford lessons, how do you think talented children can be encouraged to join choirs, and why do you think that mostly mc children are the one's who apply to the better choirs, even though funding is available to the less well off?

Thank you x.

I think you are amazing, can we see you working more with children, rather than the adult choirs.

[ISingSoprano]

Hi Gareth

I joined a newly created community choir two years ago and love, love, love it. However having not sung or played since school (several decades ago) my sight reading is ....... rusty. Any tips for improving this?

[yellowflowers]

My friend said she went to a local toddler group and you were there with your daughter. Do you judge the other parents for their singing? (I will never ever sing in public again if you say yes!)

[gleegeek]

Hi Gareth. Thanks for coming on Mumsnet I have watched all of your TV series and think you're doing an amazing job getting the country singing.

My daughter is competing at a music festival soon, singing a duet with a friend. Both girls have sweet voices but lack confidence. Is there anything I can do to help support them while they're practising? I don't want to put pressure on BTW, just hope to build their confidence so the judges can actually hear them!

Thank you! When is the MN choir starting then????

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Not long to go now!

[LIZS]

hope he's not coming by Tube !

[SanityClause]

Good question SDTG. I would be really interested to hear that, too.

I would also like to ask Gareth how to work on sight singing. I can read music fairly well, and if you asked me to sing a minor third, or whatever, I could do it, but how do you get from that to being able to do it "on the hoof"?

[sausagefortea]

Gareth, you really are entirely fabulous!!! Thank you for all the great TV! My question is about your school for boys - what would your top take home message be from that for a parent of boys? Was there any elements of things you did that the school kept on doing?

[TanteRose]

Hi Gareth

No question, but just to say how I love that singing is so international.
I live in the Far East and we have a workplace choir with members from Japan, Korea, UK, Ghana and Vietnam. We are singing Tantum Ergo at a lunchtime concert in a couple of weeks time

[Nadine009]

Hi Gareth! What's your favourite cake? :)

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Just settling down with a nice spicy tea and the last of my birthday chocolates. Hope you've got some nice choccie bickies and a nice brew from MNHQ there yourself Gareth ? (That's not my proper question BTW !)

[RachelMumsnet]

Gareth is here and just spotted that there are already 60 Qs to get through and said 'better get on with it....' Welcome to Mumsnet Gareth...

[GarethMalone]

Here I am! Just looking for the biscuits....

[GarethMalone]

@Nadine009

Hi Gareth! What's your favourite cake? :)

LEMON DRIZZLE (with blueberries).

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Thank you for the reminder, Juggling - I have just been and fetched a packet of chocolate digestives from the kitchen - so I am all ready now!

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

[AtYourCervix]

Hello!

[GarethMalone]

@sausagefortea

Gareth, you really are entirely fabulous!!! Thank you for all the great TV! My question is about your school for boys - what would your top take home message be from that for a parent of boys? Was there any elements of things you did that the school kept on doing?

Definitely the importance of motivation in achievement. Make sure that your boy sees an end goal, real outcomes and lots of experiential learning. Do I sound like a text book?!