Interesting views on many facets highlighted by initial question, ranging from dogs to a pretty vivid example of Catharsis. I tend to agree with those who, while pointing out the kinds of effort involved not only in setting up major events but in simply learning songs and considering how best to put them across, in line with the words and melody, also mention their enjoyment, or sense of fulfilment, in doing all this. But my initial thoughts come close to what the GUEST, "Shimrod", writes: I wonder if anyone, anywhere, would make such a simplistic contention that "Opera should be fun", or "Symphonies should be fun"? That is, there seems to be an unspoken convention among some that "Folk" music and song just isn't as "Serious" as the stuff that costs loads to put on, loads of rehearsal time, loads of Government subsidy,,,,,