Sadly I think we are in danger of getting in to a circular discussion here.

One valid point is exposure in the classroom voluntarily - Margarita repy above is very valid - sadly without being sexist this is often led by the girls as often we boys are at work or in positions where time off for such activity is not an option - a sad fact which will take years to change - but thankfully it is changing.

I have led maypole and barn dancing at my kids primary school - on meeting some of the kids a couple of years later they still remebered me in my morris kit and the live music and dance. The first step. Thinking about it I also played at their nursery before. Then (by gum I must be a disciple) I got my lodger and his children to a festival (zero folk background - kids into all the usal teenange nonsense) and they now love folk - Including he is addicted to Unaccompanied singing - even though he doesn't sing, he says can't ! Personal approach and enthusiasm go a long way.

We must not become elitist and we must not forget that we developed our craving for the history and background to the music and traditions after a first introduction - which was an entertainment, entertaining. The music in any shape or form must cover both areas very well and carefully in order to succeed. Some songs are to put it in the vernacular C**p but have a fascinating pedigree - should they be performed too often in public or kept for the workshops ? Some of the comments made about commercialism are partly defeated by mention of Burl Ives and the ilk - once CDs, vinyl etc. exist there is always an element of cemmercialism - no one is that philanthropic - it has all got to fit in to the jigsaw - bit of a complex 5000 piece on though. I must add this forum is great for looking for the pieces.

I think the Schools - by good informed performers with loadsa common sense is a great start - BUT - The schools can be reluctant and need to be careful there are a lot of wierdos out there, so can make us getting to them harder.

Just a few thoughts, hopefully not to controversial, sadly no answers or solutions.

A. XX