In episode 1 I talk to Alpha Gregory, accomplished choir leader of numerous groups including the Woden Valley Youth Choir.

Become a supporter of the show! www.patreon.com/danbennett

Notes on the interview by Lucus Allerton
(timestamps included)

A surprising skill Alpha developed in her young choristers that outmatched even Australian soldiers. Begins at [2:16]

A method that potentially squeezes 30 minutes of choir learning into 10 minutes. Alpha calls this method “the best way to make fast progress with a song”. Though admittedly you need to recruit the right people for this to work. [28:31]

How Alpha got appointed choir conductor at age 12—and had to conduct her own mother and aunt!  It takes guts, but hidden in this story is career advice you can use at any age. [8:57]

The tragic mistake that embarrasses Year 7 students before they even walk into music class. Seeing their pain helped spark Alpha’s decades-long passion for early childhood music education. Story starts at [12:12]

Singing Teachers vs Choir Conductors –– Natural-born enemies? Alpha and Daniel discuss the sometimes incompatible approaches between the two, and the fights that erupt between them. [7:06]

The instrument that almost had Alpha dashing out the classroom as quickly as possible. [12:54]

How your choir can perform beautifully without giving a single thought to technique. Daniel and Alpha share this masterful little tidbit from [17:48]

Why Alpha avoids ‘favourite choir warm-ups’ like the plague—and what she prefers to do instead. [18:32]

An obvious mistake that provokes your choristers to almost despise the songs you choose. Starts at [21:40]

From loathe to love. How Alpha switches the choristers’ most hated song into their favourite 9 times out of 10. [21:57]

Learn the 15 skills rattled off by Alpha as the most important skills a choir leader must possess. You can hear Alpha struggle to jam decades of choir wisdom into only 95 seconds. [30:16]

Daniel and Alpha discuss the two 'hats' that superb conductors need to become top-notch choir leaders. [32:06]

Stuck explaining the same thing over and over to your choir for months? Alpha and Daniel share a frustratingly simple way to give them the ‘lightbulb’ moment you’ve been waiting for. Starts at [33:42]

A common misconception that leaves choir conductors severely underappreciated by the general public. [36:41]

How to be kind to your musician. Alpha and Dan talk about recovering from music overload. [38:59]

The danger of too much music for children under the age of 3. Alpha uses her early childhood music expertise to explain the risk. [40:05]

Overwhelmed with choirs to listen to? Alpha uses this quick approach to cut through clutter and load up her playlists for the road. [41:11]

The 6-letter word Alpha prescribes to become a master choir leader. If you never do this as a musician, I daresay you might as well plug-up your ears and conduct in a straightjacket. [45:24]

This ‘natural’ way of performing can wreck a choir’s teamwork. Use Alpha’s famous ‘four-word fix’ which her choir quoted on her ‘goodbye retirement quilt’. [45:47]

A common trap that ruins choir directors and tears choral communities apart. Choir veterans will cringe in recognition. Alpha sternly warns Daniel to never become one of these conductors. Begins at [47:32]

#1 Alpha Gregory

In episode 2 I talk to Rachel Hore OAM, leader of Canberra's Pop-Up Choir and founder of Big Sing Inc. 

Rachel shares insights on why the Pop-Up Choir was founded, how competitive the choirs in Fiji are, her time learning from Richard Gill at the Sydney Conservatorium, and how she uses Garage Band to arrange her songs.

Become a supporter of the show! www.patreon.com/danbennett

Time stamps
0.00 Pirate Girl recording
0.58 Welcome, intro
1.59 Which choirs do you currently work with?
6.03 Tell us about some of your other projects (Big Sing Inc.)
11.53 Tell us about your previous choirs in the Blue Mountains
22.35 How did music enter your life?
27.41 Glory Recording
28.44 How did you get into choir leading?
30.17 Do you do choir leading full time? If not, what’s your day job?
33.52 What’s your favourite warm up exercize?
41.41 Describe a typical rehearsal
45.36 How do you introduce a new piece of music?
47.02 Tell us about your arrangements
53.00 I Will Sing You (recording)
54.04 Does your choir have an audition process?
56.38 What skill or qualities do you look for in a chorister?
59.25 What do you think the most important skills are for a choir leader to possess?
1.06.26 What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of choir leading?
1.08.36 What aspect of choir leading most excites you?
1.10.09 Do you like doing choir collaborations?
1.12.06 Do you use guest conductors or coaches with your choir, and what are the benefits
1.12.42 Are there any videos or online resources you’d like for us to check out?
1.15.18 Which other choir leaders do you admire and respect?
1.20.52 What is your favourite choir to listen to?
1.23.34 Do you have a favourite choral performance?
1.24.37 What advice would you give to other aspiring and developing choir leaders?
1.28.00 What advice would present day Rachel give to the Rachel who was just starting out?
1.28.57 The Prayer recording

Check out Rachel's vocal group of yesteryear, Arramaieda!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7R0Dg-ihzk

#2 Rachel Hore

My first album, "released" (i.e. hard copies given away to friends and family) in January 2011.

A labour of love, I was exploring my songwriting voice and recording abilities. I've learned much since then, but I still look back at this album with enormous fondness.

Artwork by Claire Pendrigh.

Dedication:
The dedication of this album is split between three great friends:
Firstly to Claire, whose lecture-book scribbles were the serendipitous missing link of the album;
To Thus, at times the only one who understood; and
Lastly to Thomas, a great teacher, and friend.

Sifted From The Aether

Waking Song

If Heaven'll Have Me

String Quartet in D

Cat's Eyes

Held So Strong

Walk With Destiny

Pretty Now

One World

Dreams In The Dappled Shade

These Eyes

Can You Miss Someone You've Never Known?

Deny The Truth

My arrangement of the traditional English Christmas carol God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

My arrangement of the Beatles classic song.
Buy the arrangement here: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/nowhere-man-digital-sheet-music/21694570?ac=1

Nowhere Man

Mixtape Chorus singing Better in Blak by Thelma Plum

Better In Blak 2020-02-27

Mixtape Chorus singing Got Your Back by Busby Marou in rehearsal.

Got Your Back 2023-10-26

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas FULL MIX 2021-01-06

Hearts A Mess 2025-03-20 take 1

Hearts A Mess 2025-03-20 take 2

Crossing The Bar 2025-06-25

#17 Rob Sequeira
Rob Sequeira is the founder and musical director of Vox Canvas, a Sydney based a cappella ensemble. He's also a decorated quartet singer, a barbershop harmony judge, a singing coach and a teacher of tags.

Expect to learn:
- What does it take to prepare a choir for an international competition?
- What is "Voxlan" and how does it save time in rehearsals?
- Which barbershop chorus was the catalyst for a shift in the whole barbershop judging system?
- What to do when your singers are asking LOTS of questions
- Why is it so important that a coach remind choir singers what they're already doing well?
- What is Rob's favourite poem, and how does it relate to choir leading?
- And much more...

Vox Canvas website
https://voxcanvas.com.au/

Daniel Bennett 44

Popular tracks