I'm always puzzled by the session/singaround debate but then I can only speak from my own experience. I started attending what I knew as sessions almost 35 years ago. Sessions were usually held in a public space - pub room usually - and included tunes and songs. Although there was an (unavoidable) core of musicians and singers they were in no way "cliquey" - they were just the regular local attendees - others, whether singers, musicians or (shock horror) Joe Public were always welcomed. The singers learnt to jump in just as quickly as the musicians, there was no competition. And why should there be? It made for a natural, lively, entertaining and organically grown evening, lots of chat and lots of laughter.

It was years later when I encountered my first "singaround" - I was dumbstruck. Some people have taken this so literally, going around the room in an unnatural and self-conscious procession. There seems to about half the musical content (time-wise) of an ordinary, open session. It is also quite difficult to hold these in a public space (although I do know of a couple that do work in this environment, possibly because the element of public performance has honed the format) chat is minimal and the atmosphere stilted.

Whilst I understand the need for beginners or those with less self-confidence to have a platform for their performance I honestly believe that the mixed "session" (as I have experienced it) is more conducive to developing one's talents.

Martin
(I'm ducking now to avoid the flak, but bring it on all the same!)