"There were similar things going on in Glasgow around that time too, "
There were - the Glasgow group was organised by Miller Frondigoun, who was working with Schoolkids and brought a bunch of them down to perform at The Singers Club one time.
I also know that other groups were using some of the techniques devised by Ewan.
I am not aware that any are using the self-help system that we did in The Critics - certainly not here in Ireland, where singers are now advertising themselves as 'singing teachers'
To be honest, some of those who are make me want to reach for the crucifix, garlic and holy water to ward them off.
One of the most unsatisfactory methods of 'teaching' is the one commonly employed as singing weekends and festivals, where the 'teacher' hands around randomly chosen song taxts and gets the 'class' to sing through them for two hours - whether they like them or not.
Would be interested to learn if any of these grouls have considered, or are using the 'self-help' system I described.
I really don't believe this to be 'thread drift' - for me, any thread about how folk song is being taught needs to be discussed in every aspect to the full.
Rachel Carstairs has all the makings of a good singer, I am left with the impression that she needs to review where she is going - it's a bit early for the cracks that are already beginning to show in so young a singer.
Jim Carroll