Marc, you're right: there are performers at SMF who are not chantey singers. What I'm thinking of isn't all over-the-top renditions of Fire Marengo, but rather each performer's take on a sailor work song. There would be no requirement other than presenting a chantey – accompany yourself on electric guitar, sing in Farsi, do it as a round – anything goes as long as it's something everyone can join in on. Even if I did not have one chantey in my repertoire, I could learn one for a gig like this (could you imagine performing at an Irish music festival without presenting a single Irish song or tune?). With email and such it would even be possible to coordinate in advance: have each performer post their choice, so as to avoid duplication.

The goal would be to make the final concert totally participatory, so the audience is engaged throughout and leaves feeling even more amazed than they do now. IMHO, the focus of the Festival is the *audience*, as Barry stated above. I think a chanteys-only concert to end it all could be a peak experience for those who buy the tickets/CDs/programs/T-shirts/refreshments, not to mention those generous and important Clipper, Packet, Schooner, and Dory Friends of the Festival.

Jerry