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.

[GarethMalone]

@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 !

I think music is very important in development for early years. Children learn so much about communication from singing at an early age. I think it's important work to get to those music groups everyweek if you possibly can. It's good for memory, social interaction, linguistic skills, rhythm, pitch.... the list goes on.

[PotatoPolly]

planestrains I agree! The dancing man from CITI was my favourite!

[PetronellaSterling]

Siren sounds. Got it! Thank-you very much. I shall go away and practice some woo-woo-woos (rather than nee-nah-nee-nahs !)

[GarethMalone]

@Theknacktoflying

Just wanted to come on and say thank you.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Yes, helpful - thank you Gareth.

[HortenMarket]

Hi Gareth,

While I love watching Sing While You Work I do feel rather excluded being a SAHM, so can you start a spin off, Sing While You're Not Working by any chance?

[WhatAFeline]

The Wavers Thread choir is rehearsing 'I like trucking and I like to truck'. Once we have been at it a week, we will go and do a surprise first performance in AIBU.

[nobutreally]

Thanks for the reply Gareth - he already plays a couple of instruments, but hadn't thought of an outside school choir - will see what we can find Enjoy the biccies, and thanks for coming on

[Legogarethmalone]

Hi Big G!
Thanks for the follows on twitter. LegoCity choir is going just great now! Any suggestions for lullabies for the babies in Lego City hospital? I'm sure the mums and dads out there would be most appreciative too!
Thanks!
LegoGarethMalone
@LegoGarethM

[RedRevision]

Cheating slightly with a second question, but hey-ho ........

Do you think it is possible for a child to develop a tuneful voice when raised by people who sing a lot, but are permanently out of tune?
Is tunefulness inherent, or do we learn by listening?

[mouldyironingboard]

Do you have a favourite piece of choral music?

[morethanpotatoprints]

Hello, I just wanted to say thank you for answering my question.

I am constantly searching for singing opportunities for dd, and would say they are out there for people, but you have to be unrelentful.

You do such good work inspiring folk, I hope I can encourage in my own sweet way.

Many thanks again. x

[GarethMalone]

@LIZS

lol ! Is the recording schedule mad for programmes like the workplace choirs ? Do you get time to see family, change clothes, sleep ...

Not really! Last year was crazy - up and down the motorway everyday from Cheshire to Dover sometimes! Then starting filming again the next morning. I was very homesick by the end. But it was such enormous fun (sounding like Miranda's mum!) that I didn't really mind and the reaction to the series has been hugely positive.

[GarethMalone]

OH NO. Only two jammy dodgers left....

[GarethMalone]

@mouldyironingboard

Do you have a favourite piece of choral music?

The St Matthew Passion by J.S. Bach. All of it.

[Sparklingbrook]

Oi MNHQ!! Gareth is running out of biscuits!!

[magimedi]

Never mind, maybe MNHQ will get out the gin!

[LIZS]

thank you . MNHQ send the office pleb out for more supplies !

[fadingfast]

My son (9) has already formed the view that singing is for girls, and resolutely refuses to entertain the idea of singing in the school choir :-( . I think it's so sad that boys are discouraged at such young age, and from experience I know most amateur choirs are overwhelmed with women and desperate got more men. Why is this do you think, and what can we do to change it?

More importantly, how can I reconcile myself to the fact I will never get to see my son dressed as an angelic choirboy in one of those ruffles??

[Sparklingbrook]

YY. Gareth get them to open the Gin cupboard.

[HorsePetal]

Hope I'm not too late but Gareth I wanted to ask if you have any tips on how to protect the voice from strain when singing?

Thanks x

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Thanks for the encouragement for early music making with young children
Gareth. I agree that children learn so much in a group singing activity - helps so much with communication and language acquisition too. And elements of understanding story telling I feel re-inspired to sing even more!

[Jabbikins]

Jammy Dodgers!!? Happy Faces for me all the way...

Can't wait to see you and Voices in Bristol :)

Sorry, that wasn't a question, was it?

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

[GarethMalone]

@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)?

Most people either struggle with aural or sight reading. I had no problem with the aural part but found the sight reading much more challenging. The only answer is to practise.Sorry! If your husband can tell then get him to test her. Also - singing in a choir MASSIVELY HELPS. Regular singing can fix the problem in children... it's harder for adults.