leonardcohenforum.com

from the london evening standard.

SINGING in a choir or learning to play an instrument is a popular perk and one that is motivating and inspiring staff.

Music in Offices, founded by Tessa Marchington, a graduate of The Royal Academy of Music, says it can lead to better team-working, increased personal confidence and improved communication skills.

While Ben Resch, Global IFRS, Deloitte, says: “Music in Offices has been one of the most interesting and impactful morale-boosters I have experienced in 20 years in the firm.”

As the Office Choir of the Year competition nears its final on March 18, the competition started by Music in Offices has proved that group singing is more popular than ever.

Joel Garthwaite, director, Music in Offices, says: “Healthy competition can boost performance, in music as well as business.”

http://www.ocoty.com/2014-competition.html

and (mostly behind a paywall, alas) - http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/pub ... 384444.ece

tessa marchington on woman's hour reveals all :

audio link - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01vgr0v

IT APPEARS choirmaster Gareth Malone and his financial songbirds from Citi, as featured in BBC’s The Choir, aren’t the only ones to find their voice in the City.

A group of singers from law firm Norton Rose Fulbright have been revealed as the winners of ‘Office Choir of the Year’ beating off tough competition from BNP Paribas, Deloitte and Dunnhumby and retaining their title from the previous year.

The tense yet tuneful final was held at Westminster concert hall, St John’s and by all accounts adding a dash of cool by performing Pharrell’s “Happy” helped to clinch the title. The City-based ensemble is now set to perform at the Brandenburg Choral Festival in April if you want to see them in action.

With the merger between Norton Rose and US law firm Fulbright & Jaworski only finalised last summer, we wonder if an influx of new voices gave the choir even more harmony?

http://www.cityam.com/article/139527943 ... s-pharrell