Put me down as a contact for the Calgary Singers' Circle: John Leeder (403) 230-0340 (home) or 750-1258 (work); leeders@nucleus.com (home) or john.leeder@carswell.com (work).

The circle gets together approximately one Saturday per month at someone's home (date and location are determined from month to month). There is no organized society as such, and arrangements are kept as simple as possible. We maintain a phone list, and one volunteer phones people who weren't at the last session.

We've been in existence for over 20 years, and a few originals are still around, so we've developed some traditions and conventions. It's a singer's circle – some people sing a capella, some people accompany themselves and sometimes invite the other instrumentalists to play along, but nobody plays instrumentals as such. A non-singer (there are a few, singers' spouses, etc.) may tell a story or recite a poem. We go around the circle, and everyone has a turn, but may pass or request a song rather than taking the lead themselves. The core members are into traditional folk songs, but no type of song is forbidden – whatever happens happens. There's a wide range of abilities and experience, ranging from semi-pro to "can't carry a tune in a basket", but everybody has an equal shot. We try to be inclusive, to make newcomers welcome, and to encourage people and provide a safe environment for them to develop their singing skills.

Some people rely on "Rise Up Singing", and some people make a point of not relying on it – it's "the great equalizer" for the less confident. Normally there is no theme, especially not stated in advance, although sometimes a theme will suggest itself as the evening progresses.

Everybody brings finger-food, so that the host doesn't have to be daunted by putting on a spread – usually just tea and coffee are enough, and those who want cold drinks bring them themselves. (Alcohol is not forbidden, but is unusual.) We break for snacks before the final round. (A few people who are known to be gourmet cooks are not discouraged from putting on a bit more of a spread than usual when they host!)

We've had as many as 39 people and as few as 3, but 14-18 seems to be an ideal number. Fewer than that and there may be more rounds than the less confident are prepared for; more than that and there aren't enough turns to satisfy the more confident.

This sort of circle is pretty easy to start – all you need is a few people to participate, and a house to hold it in. I'm surprised to hear that there are cities which don't have one!

Any questions?