It comes down, unsurprisingly, to: different strokes for different folks.

I'm one who used to regularly go to FSGW Open Sings--and look forward to hearing new songs.   Since the advent of RUS (which I affectionately call Sink Down Moaning), I've stopped going to FSGW Open Sings. 1 copy of RUS is enough--let alone 6.

Look, it's a question of time and priorities. I only have so much time I can spend on song sessions. So I will not even take the chance that somebody will say: "Turn to page 34 and sing the second one from the bottom"--which he or she may never have even seen before.

RUS just makes it too easy to exert no effort whatsoever to learn a song--and still expect others to sing it.

I have no objection to song books or packets--if the occasion warrants it.

I lead a yearly SATB door-to-door caroling session which has been going on without a break since 1992--and keeps getting stronger. Soon we may have to split it in 2. I have to find real tenors--so I have to pick a night they can do it--but then all the other parts are led by strong singers. We sing out of a packet I've put together--which also keeps growing. We also take all requests and make up harmonies on the spot for more secular-oriented fare, like White Christmas and Winter Wonderland. We play roles on Wenceslas--male and female. In the packet are anything from Joy to the World and Adeste Fideles-- to Jingle Bells and 12 Days of Christmas--to A La Nanita Nana (which is a big hit with the group as well as our Hispanic neighbors.)

We had 13 invited singers and 10 neighborhood people joining in this year. The kids are really enthusiastic--especially the 4 year olds, but also the 7 and 9 year olds. We ask anybody we sing for if they'd like to join us. And they do.

And we do sound good--as we've been told many many times. Then we go back to Jan's and my place and sing parodies and other seasonal material--and drink and eat--til all hours.

If you have the right people, singing out of a book or packet can be successful. But this is the opposite of the RUS experience.




I've been to RUS hymn sings--- out of town---where I can't avoid the book. I don't take a book, and I sing the choruses, and throw in harmonies. It's really not necessary for every single person to sing every single word. I'd be perfectly happy if the leader would sing the song and the rest of us could join in at the chorus--or just listen.



I also disagree with Ron O's view that it's better to sing out of a book than to look up at the sky for words. I sometimes put my hand on my head to keep words from escaping--as Bill D can testify. But I will not sing out of a book or a sheet at a sesssion--though I may hold a sheet--as a talisman (it works).


So as long as you RUS fans are sure to tell us when you will be using that book, the rest of us can make plans to be elsewhere. And everybody should be happy.