Fascinating Rhythm Gets Fully Rob-Mance-ipated
Fascinating Rhythm members spent the weekend of 22-23 January 2022 at The Greenfield Centre enjoying two days of intensive vocal coaching with Rob Mance, Musical Director of barbershop choruses Vocal Standard and Central Standard.
Fascinating Rhythm had planned to go away on a chorus retreat in April 2020 for an immersive coaching experience, but those plans had to be cancelled due to the covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. After spending more than a year meeting online before returning to in-person rehearsals, coming together for a coaching weekend felt like another step towards getting back to normality.
Getting to know you…
Fascinating Rhythm first met Rob earlier in the month when he visited one of the choir’s regular Thursday evening rehearsals to introduce himself and his innovative coaching approach. Rob is a professional singer, vocal coach, musical conductor and experienced Barbershop Harmony Society judge.
“What a joy to meet Jo and Fascinating Rhythm for the first time! After having to delay this trip a few times due to the pandemic, the anticipation for our meeting was high – and the chorus did not disappoint!”
Rob said.
Big journeys begin with small steps
Rob is a specialist in posture and vocal pedagogy. Throughout the weekend, he worked with individual chorus members to improve their singing posture and vocal technique. By encouraging each singer to make small adjustments to their technique, Rob was able to create a step-change in the ensemble chorus sound.
“After just a few minutes of coaching, we heard a huge difference to everyone’s sound – it was truly amazing!”
said Brenda.
Reflecting on the success of the weekend, Rob said, “A couple of things really stood out to me. First, the chorus was so ready and willing to try anything. This open and encouraging culture led to significant growth over our three days together. Second, their Musical Director, Jo, is a driven and dedicated leader whose attention to self-growth and the growth and nurturing of her singers is noticeable and admirable. I absolutely look forward to many more sessions with Fascinating Rhythm.”
What a difference a day makes!
Fascinating Rhythm’s Music Team were delighted, inspired and enthused by the new techniques and approaches Rob introduced.
“What a weekend – a great way to start the year off! It was an inspiring weekend of listening, supporting, participating and taking on board and embracing all the little tweaks to make your voice the best it can be. It was great to hear the difference it made to individual voices.”
Tenor Section Leader Ali.
“I’m sure I speak for the whole Bass Section when I say that it has been an absolute privilege to receive coaching from Rob Mance. The individual advice each of us has received will be invaluable in helping us work towards reaching our full potential.”
Bass Section Leader, Brenda
“What a truly revelatory weekend. What Rob showed us is that there is a really good singer lurking within us all – all we need are the correct techniques to let them out. Continuous practice will take us to the next level!”
Baritone Section Leader Wendy D.
“Rob Mance has totally inspired me to become the best singer I can be. He has also inspired the whole chorus to work together as a team to put all our new learnt tools into place. 2022 – bring it on!”
Assistant Director Wendy H
Fascinating Rhythm plans for 2022
Fascinating Rhythm members are looking forward to practicing and developing the new skills they have learned over the coaching weekend. With covid restrictions lifting, the chorus plans to compete in some music festivals and at the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers annual convention and have been asked to perform at the Keynsham Memorial Park later this year.
“The whole weekend was so interesting and informative. Rob’s coaching has given us all a tremendous boost of enthusiasm and the confidence to embrace the challenge of becoming the best singers we can possibly be. What an inspirational start to 2022!”
said Brenda.
“The buzz in the Tenor Section is amazing, and we already have plans to have a section rehearsal so that we can practice all the things we learned and achieved over the weekend. Awesome!”
said Ali.
Fascinating Rhythm’s Musical Director, Jo, had the final word.
“Well, I don’t think I have ever been left speechless before! It was an incredible weekend where personal investment in each singer was top of the agenda. Rob took such great care of everyone. It felt incredibly safe, nurturing and invaluable in moving us forward as an ensemble.”
Joining Fascinating Rhythm
If you are interested in joining a choir and would like to find out more about Fascinating Rhythm, please get in touch via our website.
Fascinating Rhythm is always on the lookout for new members, so if you are interested in taking up a new hobby and joining a choir in 2022, please get in touch via our website.
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