HAVEN'T SUNG BEFORE?
DON'T READ MUSIC?
THIS PAGE IS FOR YOU!
Over the last four years, many women have come to Song Circle who
- have not sung before
- don't read music
If you have a listen to our most recent recordings you'll find that they most definitely CAN sing and that they're doing it in beautiful three-part harmony!
So how did this happen?
Well it's all down to Anna's teaching techniques. Which you can read about below ...
ABOUT ANNA AND HER TEACHING METHODS
Who is Anna?
Anna Winton Mills (M Ed) lives in Mid-Suffolk.
She has been a musician, singer and teacher for more than four decades.
During that time her long career has taught her the following things…
1. There is no such thing as someone who can’t sing.
ANNA SAYS: "The world is divided into two types of people: those who can and do sing and those who can’t or don’t sing YET. My mission is to convert those who don’t sing yet into people who can and do sing."
2. Everyone learns in different ways and at different speeds.
ANNA SAYS: "This is why I always teach in a circle. This allows me to include everyone in the learning process. I hope that by sitting in a circle everyone feels equally involved in the choir, from the longest serving member to the newest arrival".
3. Any sort of singing is fun but it’s even more enjoyable when you really know what you’re doing
ANNA SAYS: "This is why I insist that people really learn how to sing as they go on their journey with Song Circle. You don’t need to be able to read music to do this. This is why we provide audio tutorials. This way you can practice at home on some of the trickier songs we sing".
4. This doesn’t stop learning being a challenge, but the answer to tricky challenges is to stick with them and to keep going.
ANNA SAYS: "I myself have had many times in my life where the goal that I wanted seemed unobtainable, but I've learned over time that sheer persistence will get you through.
So if things feel a little difficult or challenging at times, just be aware that the answer is always to keep going and things will get better!"
5. Learning is even more satisfying if you stretch yourself.
ANNA SAYS: "I believe that you’ll be surprised at what you can do if you try. Recently we learned a piece in Latin. We have many singers who would not have dreamed of doing this when they joined. We’re confident you’ll be surprised by how much you’ve learned in just one term!"
6. A choir is better when we all support each of the individual members.
ANNA SAYS: 'Everyone goes through ups and downs at different time. For me, the most heart-warming aspect of setting up the choir has been observing how members have formed great friendships. I've watched how choir members support each other through difficult times and how we've jointly celebrated the wonderful events like the birth of our two choir babies!"