Ep.179 From 1 to 40 Choirs and Touring with Gareth Malone – A Chat with Rachel Lynes

Singing Teachers Talk

In this episode, we welcome back Rachel Lynes, founder of The Sing Space, to share her journey of growing one choir to 40 adult musical theatre choirs across the UK. Rachel discusses the challenges of building a successful choir community, finding the perfect venue, recruiting members, and creating meaningful connections through music. We dive into exciting projects like her collaboration with Gareth Malone and she gives tips for aspiring choir leaders. Whether you're looking to start your own choir or grow an existing one this episode is full of inspiring insights.

QUOTE

‘I didn’t realise what this was that we were setting up… I thought we were doing musical theatre choirs, and now I’m like, no, no, no—this is so much more.’
00:04:00 From 1 choir to 40 choirs nationwide network
00:06:00 Financial realities of running choirs
00:10:00 The importance of venue choice
00:12:00 Recruiting choir members
00:15:00 Authentic marketing tips
00:22:00 Selecting & arranging Musical Theatre songs
00:25:00 How to teach harmony effectively
00:30:00 Incorporating vocal technique into choir sessions
00:32:00 Advice for aspiring choir leaders
00:39:00 How to start your own choir
00:43:00 Gareth Malone Tour

Click for presenter bios

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS

• Singing Teachers Talk Ep.28 Finding the Fundamental Truths of Singing
• Gareth Malone
• Barbara Tanze
• Heidi Moss: heidimosserickson.com
• Singing Teachers Talk Ep.55 Teaching Singing for Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Singing Teachers Talk Ep.122 Discovering the Well-Being Benefits of Community Choirs
• Naveen Arles: naveenarles.com

ABOUT THE GUEST

Fondly named, 'the voice whisperer' by the singers she works with, Rachel's rigorously technical yet accessible approach combines the science with the heart. Rachel works with singers who include recording artists, West End performers and Vocal Coaches. She has been studying the voice for over 20 years.

As a performer, she spent 10 years playing leading roles in the West End and internationally.

She is published in the Journal of Voice. Recommendations for voice healthcare based on expert-by-experience and practitioner consensus. She has lectured at The Theatre Royal Haymarket, many of the top training institutions and at the Vocal Health Education BioPsychosocial conference in London, co-authoring a speech with clinician Joanna Cazden.

Rachel is director of Sing Space Choirs, offering Musical Theatre singing to almost a two thousand singers per week. As a vocal coach, Rachel incorporates singing technique into each session, including tips on mindset, breathing, posture, range, muscle release and lots more.

Guest Websites: rachellynes.co.uk www.singspacechoir.com

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