Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir

Subject: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: bradfordian
Date: 13 May 03 - 11:26 AM

I know this is too late for this years Yorkshire Gathering, but I was wondering if there is any mileage in trying for a MUDCAT GATHERING FOLK CHORUS at a future gathering. Would need a little preparation. Perhaps a small number of songs might be pre-selected to practice & then perform on the Sunday.

Any other Gatherings tried this?
Comments?

Brad

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: MMario
Date: 13 May 03 - 11:53 AM

Bet you can come up with some off the cuff that most attendee know.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Micca
Date: 13 May 03 - 12:30 PM

Isn't this what the Shellbacks do?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Noreen
Date: 13 May 03 - 01:09 PM

Pretty accurate there micca... sounds like most singarounds too! I'm hoping there'll be some massed chorus singing theis weekend- or were u hoping for something 'tidier', brad?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: bradfordian
Date: 13 May 03 - 06:15 PM

Yea, I kinda figured out most on us can do the chorouses(sp?), but how about us all doing the verses too. OK, something like the Shellbacks but not necessarily nautical, impromtu, sorta, you know in the style of a community choir but "folksy". Haven't really thought of what, but say for example John Tams When We Go Rolling Home, Amanda McBrooms The Rose, Let It Be Me (Everly Bros.)Stuff with opportunities for harmonising. Don't know about tidier, but maybe tighter. I think Lester Simpson is doin' some community singing stuff, and I don't know if anyone has heard of a Janet Russell, they both do this African number Sen Seninar(something like that). Ok well that may be rather ambitious right now, but you have to have a target (sorry aims & objectives in pc talk)

OK, I'll come clean; I sing in a male voice choir which is great. But in folk, I have to sing solo, so I just thought it might be fun to have a folk choir just as they sometimes have a massed folk orchestra at some festivals. Anyway, it's all up for debate. Over to you!
Brad

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 May 03 - 08:31 PM

Yes, I've heard of Janet Russell.
I think I have a crush on her...

But yes, I think the chorus sounds wonderful. Maybe we can do the same at the FSGW Getaway, which is the unofficial official annual Mudcat gathering in the US.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Noreen
Date: 14 May 03 - 04:01 AM

The more singing in the world, the better!

Count me in, Joe :0)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 14 May 03 - 05:53 AM

Have it in early August of 04 and I will try to be there!!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 14 May 03 - 12:15 PM

Barry if you want me to print off some words for such as Rolling home we can have a go at the weekend

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Snuffy
Date: 14 May 03 - 07:33 PM

And of course the Shellbacks will be at the Getaway, Joe

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Abuwood
Date: 15 May 03 - 03:35 AM

Ooh I like that idea, words to a lot of songs stick in my head, if someone else is singing then I like to sing harmony to the verses too and it is not always PC. Where are you planning this event, and when? Not many weekends free except early August.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 May 03 - 04:48 AM

I think it sounds like a brilliant idea - lots of people enjoy doing this sort of thing and we have enough talented people around that we could probably carry it off.

It would be good to sing chorus songs that weren't shanties - I love the Shellbacks and what they do, but I do sometimes feel that the nautical theme restricts them somewhat. The group as a whole has such a huge wealth of landlubber (what IS the opposite of seafaring?) songs, traditional, contemporary and self penned, that it would be a crying shame if they were never shared.

LTS

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 15 May 03 - 04:57 AM

Great idea Liz.....I would love to take part as would plenty of other catters.

Cat

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 May 03 - 05:49 AM

I'm happy to do some of the organising - may even have a ready prepared 'song book' of some of the old favourites which, bearing in mind it's now Thursday and our black ink cartridge is running low - might be ready for YG tomorrow......

Don't do dots though, they never scan properly and it's a pain in the proverbial putting them into a music program that wants to put everything in 4/4, even when it's 6/8.

LTS

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 May 03 - 05:50 AM

OH GOD!! What have I done? I said I'd never compile song books for groups again!!!

Damn!!

LTS

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 15 May 03 - 06:15 AM

You'll love it Liz!!! Cheers!!

See you tomorrow evening in Yorkshire......!!! If you get lost in those last 5 miles....just phone one us I will have my phone on!

Cat

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: bradfordian
Date: 15 May 03 - 07:06 AM

Rest easy LtS
I'll be bringing along lots of copies of:-

Let It Be Me
You'll Never Walk Again
Kumbayah
Eriskal Love Lilt
The Rose
Grey Funnell Line
Down Where The Drunkards Roll
(just a random selection)

Still room for other songs if any has any good suggestions (you know, the ones that don't end in "off")
I'll have a go at getting the songs, whatever they are, onto minidisc, then dependant on quality, it might even run to a CD.(would need to watch copyright etc)
I did some minidisc recording last year, but the background noise level was quite high for recording purposes (just went to show that everyone was having a great time, though)

Brad

PS Are we likely to have a battle of the Parodies Micca v Liz The Squeak?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Noreen
Date: 15 May 03 - 07:21 AM

Try Noteworthy, Liz (free download) dead easy, & does what you tell it.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Noreen
Date: 15 May 03 - 07:29 AM

Parody session timetabled for 8.15 am Saturday.

You'll Never Walk Again, Brad??

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: bradfordian
Date: 15 May 03 - 07:59 AM

S'right, s'what it is on the soccer terraces.
You'll Never Walk Again (sic). Better? (*G*)
:0)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 15 May 03 - 08:12 AM

I think 8:15am is wee bit early Noreen!!! Could be interesting though!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 15 May 03 - 09:41 AM

Sounds like a plan. I also sing with a choir and do an English Trad Folky a cappella thing. We did a weekend choral workshop with Tom Leighton and Carol Hasek at Eaglwood (Pefferlaw Canada)a couple of weekends ago. Had a really great time and learned some new songs. A great Appalachian Hymn "Bright Morning Star" "Torn Screen Door" by Canadian/Scottish writer David Francy. Have dots can do something more with them when I get my new computer and Printer/Scanner/thingy.
A really good round is "Non Nobis Domine" if anyone fancies a bit of Latin.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 May 03 - 09:52 AM

OOh, put me down for a copy of Bright Morning Star - the song of the Communist Newspaper!!

(sorry)

OK, getting some stuff together now, Sussex Toast, Cadgewith Anthem, that sort of thing.....

Not written many parodies this year... been a rough year.... however...... I've been getting those twitchy feelings again.....

LTS

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: MMario
Date: 15 May 03 - 09:54 AM

oh - that closing line leaves *so* many openings....but I'll not say them!

Liz - did you volunteer for this *before* or *after* your comments to Sorcha?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 03 - 10:13 AM

We're likely to be just kicking off here, just a good old massed sing, nothing too advanced. (Though there are some people around who have a gallingly natural aptitude for harmonising!)It could be an idea to have a number of set pieces - say for example 6 (replacing two each year). If the harmony parts could be published here for all to access before an event, then they could be performed at any Gathering (in theory). Maybe not, sounds a bit regimented don't it?
To my mind, though, it's another way of learning some more songs like the ones quoted by JohnB (above)

JohnB, I would be interested in having a look at those 3 if you can point me to the sources.

Bradfordian (on a different 'puter)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: breezy
Date: 15 May 03 - 10:42 AM

take over one of the 'Garden ' gigs
1st Sundays of June and July at the White bear Rickmansworth
2nd Sundays of June and July the Blue Anchor St Albans
or does it need further advance notice?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 May 03 - 11:47 AM

MMario - AFTER!! I never bloody learn do I?!!

Got a few in the pipeline already, hopefully stuff almost everyone (unless they've lived in a cave in Outer Mongolia since 1982) should know.

LTS

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 16 May 03 - 09:40 AM

When I get a bit of time I will try to put them into some sort of exchangeable format. Don't hold your breath just yet though.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: paddywack
Date: 16 May 03 - 07:08 PM

Did you know that a certain member of the "Shellback chorus" has won "Worst singer award" at the Fylde folk festival atleast three times to the best of my knowledge.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Harry Basnett
Date: 17 May 03 - 01:41 PM

Presume you mean Ron Baxter...but at least Ron's very knowledgable regarding maritime song and history and makes a good mascot...

Best wishes.........Harry.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 May 03 - 02:36 PM

Guest JohnB: Thanks for the reminder. another good Latin round, which is often topical is Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant us Peace)

Nigel

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: bradfordian
Date: 19 May 03 - 06:14 AM

Well, we had a little Massed Sing session at YG2003. I think the idea doesn't appeal to everyone (ie, don't force it on folks) but there were about 20 or so enthusiastic volunteers.

So here are some observations

If as an MD one has any preconceived ideas on tempo, forget it, majority will rule,

Dynamics? well, put it this way, it's like a car with only one gear (ie loud)

If printed words are available, don't expect anyone to read them, everybody will sing their own variation anyway,

Harmonies? Well think of all the different keys people sing in, so when they all sing at the same time, there's your harmony!

And finally, practice (wot's that?) = the final product!

By the way folks, these comments ARE tongue in cheek, don't take them too seriously. It was a good experiment, it was fun; I think it was enjoyed by most people, and maybe we'll have another go sometime. The thing is not to expect too much. There seemed to be a preference for upbeat numbers (like Rolling Home)rather than dirges (like Kumbayah). If any folkie gets too serious about it, then they can always go and join an established choir! Have FUN, it's what we do.

Brad

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Noreen
Date: 19 May 03 - 06:26 AM

paddywack, your point is....??

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Noreen
Date: 19 May 03 - 05:03 PM

Brad: MD? Is he the one who hands out the songsheets?

:0)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: bradfordian
Date: 19 May 03 - 06:49 PM

Nah, she's the one wot allus get's the blame. :O(

PS Thank you Noreen, for your rendition of Bright Morning Star, and I'm sorry you weren't around when the choir did Down Where The Drunkards Roll (or were you lurking?) 'cos I know how you likes Sir Richard!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Noreen
Date: 19 May 03 - 07:31 PM

Nah, I was assisting with the badge-cutting workshop in Sue vG's palace :0) And thanks for the thanks!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gathering Folk Chorus/Choir
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 20 May 03 - 12:15 PM

Almost forgot the badge cutting in the palace!! Anyone who voluntarily spends time with my children (who loved every minute of the activity) deserves a medal (made of course with foam and sticky back plastic!) :¬))
Thanks Sue xx