Survey for folk singing research

Subject: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,Fay
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 11:34 AM

Hello all,

If anyone has 10-20 mins to complete a survey about their experiences with folk singing in England to help with my PhD research I would gratefully appreiate it.

I would like to collect perspectives from people who engage with any aspect of the vast contemporary English folk singing scene to find out what the messages are for individuals and organisations seeking to encourage the present generation of children, young people and adults to participate in folk singing. I am looking for volunteers who participate, or have participated in the past, in any form of folk singing activity in England. If you feel that you could help contribute to this discussion, please follow the link to be taken to the University of Sheffield's web pages and my survey.

http://www.shef.ac.uk/music/research/folksingcom.html


This research has been approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the School of English, University of Sheffield.

Thanks, Fay

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: greg stephens
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 02:30 PM

I've replied.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 02:37 PM

Ive replied

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Banjiman
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 02:54 PM

& me

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: naughtyforty
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 03:09 PM

I have just submitted a response. Hope it's helpful

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 04:17 PM

I've replied - there's a question about the disadvantages of being a folkie. I haven't managed to find one.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,Old Git
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 04:22 PM

I've added my sixpenn'orth

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: gnomad
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 04:24 PM

Me 'n all.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Surreysinger
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 04:38 PM

I tried - got so far and then it gave me all sorts of error and "this does not compute" messages - maybe it doesn't like me??
I shall have another go tomorrow!! I now feel as if I'm not part of the folksinging community... sob, sob!!
(Kitty - yes, I have to agree - couldn't think of any problems with being part of the community either!!!)

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: My guru always said
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 05:08 PM

Done!

Mine worked Surreysinger, so it's nothing to do with the county we both live in *grin*

Disadvantages - the rising price of fuel and the amount of traffic on the M25!

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,flyingcat
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 05:12 PM

I've put in my tuppence worth too. Don't be upset surreysinger, once a folkie, always a folkie, Luv, moira,

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 05:58 PM

I put my ha'penny worth in too.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 06:39 PM

Have you only got a ha'penny BBP :-)

I have only a farthing :-)

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Tootler
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 06:58 PM

Added my tuppence ha'penny worth.

A potentially interesting project.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 03:53 AM

That's the only disadvantage - you'll never be rich!
Robyn

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Folkiedave
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 04:46 AM

Cry on my shoulder Irene - and I managed to complete it so it must work!!

Dave

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Surreysinger
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 05:58 AM

Sorry Dave - it's a rather long way to come for a good cry, even if the shoulder offered is a capable one !! :-)

I'm about to go in and finish the job - wish me luck. (In retrospect I think it might possibly be something to do with the fact that I saved it up to the point I was at, and then went back in again a bit later and started afresh... I don't think it liked that!)

Oh, and Hilary - VERY good point... I'd forgotten the cost of it all/distances to be travelled etc etc - amazing how you can be wilfully blinkered to things you don't want to think about, isn't it??

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,Essex Girl
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 08:42 AM

I've done my bit!

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: jiva
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 08:43 AM

Added our few penn'orth... certainly an interesting project.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 11:50 AM

Oooh, chance to have a pop at a few things!

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 01:23 PM

Me too. The twee diminutive 'folkie' has always made my hackles rise, for a start!

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Mrs Scarecrow
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 02:21 PM

Done

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: the button
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 03:08 PM

Me too.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 03:25 PM

But mgas's point applies to any interest you travel for - so if you weren't a folkie, you'd either be minus an interest or paying to get somewhere you wouldn't be singing....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Surreysinger
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 03:34 PM

Point taken also Kitty - however, if my interest was reading the only thing I might occasionally travel for would be to go to Literary festivals - the rest of it gets done at home. In the case of singing - particularly traditional unaccompanied stuff - the opportunities to indulge are spread rather thinly and over rather large distances (unless you're lucky enough to live in the right places - I'm not)Were I to confine myself to choral singing I have the choice right here in Guildford of more than half a dozen choirs in the town itself, and masses more in the surrounding towns and villages. You could hardly say that about traditional song sessions - can't really think of one nearby of the sort that I'd be after... so yes... it is a disadvantage, but one that I willingly put up with!!

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 03:47 PM

twee diminutive 'folkie'

Yes, Mr Ginger.
I spoke out vehemently against that too.
It's not what I am.
My musical horizons are higher and wider.
"Folkie" is a vile, outdated, denigrating term which no longer has any meaning.
If you mean your passion is trad music, say so.
If you actually mean that what you like is MOR tripe, then go somewhere else.
Not hard.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 04:14 PM

On my reading, Fay's survey isn't specifically about trad singing. It's about "any form of folk singing activity", so includes community singing (football matches, too, I guess).

And it's quite possible that the wording of the questions about "being a folkie" was intended to cover the pejorative interpretation.

Diane's interest in folk music is higher and wider and qualitative, and, as far as I can see, takes no account of the benefits of participating in singing, or even that singing together (whatever the quality) might be a valid folk activity. Seems a bit elitist to me, but it's obviously what some people prefer.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 04:25 PM

"Folkie" means you like folk music (here we go again....)

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: the button
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 04:39 PM

Cheers to Fay for posting that survey, anyway. Always useful to ask yourself why you like doing something so much every once in a while. Looking forward to hearing how the research turns out, as well.

As for what "folkie" means to me, you *really* don't want to know what I put in my response to that question. ;-)

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Surreysinger
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 08:21 PM

I'll happily agree that Fay's survey ISN'T about just trad singing - but since that's what I mostly do, and the survey is referring to the participation of a specific individual(ie the respondent) , and asking what the areas of that individual's participation are, that's the angle I'm likely to be coming from, and thinking about or responding to !!

And incidentally we actually have a community choir in Guildford as well - but I wouldn't call that "folk singing" since it covers many and varied areas - eg White Christmas was in it's repertoire last year - and by no stretch of the imagination would I call that "folk singing", lovely though it may have been [grins] Choral singing is choral singing, whether it be community choir or large classical choir - folk singing it ain't.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Tig
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 08:34 PM

For what purpose is this survey?
Why not go out into the "folk community" and ask those bodies present why they are there?
It could be a lot more fun.

BADGER

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 23 Nov 07 - 03:08 AM

It's clear from her website that she has done just that and is conducting research 'in the field' as well as online. The singing project with which she is involved does sound fun. If you'd taken the survey you'd have seen the final page which lists her involvement here.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Folkiedave
Date: 23 Nov 07 - 03:09 AM

She may be restricted by the presence of a small child - the lovely Polly.

Statistically just doing it locally would be invalid. It would be a bit like standing outside a railway station asking people if they travelled by train!!

And I can confirm she gets around the local community!! She was carol singing last Sunday!

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Fay
Date: 23 Nov 07 - 05:16 AM

Blimey, thanks everyone for your contributions. I'll answer a few charges in case it helps clear things up.

This survey is part of a larger research strategy. I am focusing on the Sheffield area, doing observations, interviews and just coming to the end of a diary project where 40 or so people have been recordin and commenting on their activity for the past 2 months. There is more information about the whole project on my website:
http://www.fayhield.com

I am interested in the individual's activity and how they interpret the questions and define their boudaries of what folk singing covers is a part of that. Sorry if it sems ambiguous, but I am reluctant to put more boundaries than necesary in place by imposing my own definitions.

If you save the survey before you have fnished, it sends you an email with a link. you must use this link to get back to your survey, if you just go to the survey page you will have to start again. Not the tightest o systems, but it is fre software!

Cheers again, Fay

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Santa
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 06:46 PM

Mrs Santa's in.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: vectis
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 07:07 PM

So'm I

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 07:12 PM

Why am I not surprised that Diane Easby spoke out vehemently about something...

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: John Routledge
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 07:19 PM

Have just filled in survey - Pleased that I did so before reading the thread :0)

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 08:00 PM

Why just England? We have plenty of Community Singing Groups up here in Scotland, many of whom focus on traditional music (not necessarily all Scots: we even sing some English songs!)

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 10:20 PM

I'll 'speak out vehemently' about anyhing I damn well like, especially boring old gits who tweely describe themselves as 'f*lkies'.
Why not Scotland? Fay can speak for herself but as she lives in England and performs almost exclusively English material, then that could be a clue.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,Boring Old Git (Santa)
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 05:58 AM

Folkie! Folkie folkie folkie!

Grow up, Diane and Captain Ginger. Restrict your vehemence to something that matters. The use of diminutives is an integral part of the English language - and many others if not all. Richard is right.

And tweeness is in the eye of the beholder.

Sorry, Fay, if this distracts from your interesting project, but they started it. Nyaa nyaa.

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Leadfingers
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 06:37 AM

My 'bit' has been done ! And I dont give a damn if some one calls ME a Folkie !

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: theleveller
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 08:34 AM

Would love to see the results

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,Surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 12:18 PM

Strangely enough devotees of Star Trek also hate to be called "Trekkies", far preferring the term "Trekkers" (heaven knows why - both have distinct anorak overtones) .... I have a suspicion that use of a similar term in this case might be a possible source of concern??? [broad smile]

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 01:46 PM

Maybe the Fokkers were Messerschmidts

Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 06:52 PM

would I enjoy filling it in?