"Would you mind explaining what you believe my "exacting standards" are?"


Jim, it’s a fair question and I don’t think that there’s actually a short answer. As someone who has devoted a huge amount of time and effort to folk music, you want it to be performed to the highest possible standard. Nothing wrong with that but I think, for me, the key word is ‘possible’.

If one (I hesitate to say ‘you’ as it could well get misconstrued) accepts, as I do, that the policy adopted in schools of total inclusivity is the correct one, then, surely, this should also apply to other areas in life, of which music is one. Because folk music is, in essence, a popular performance medium, it applies here especially. I think the phrase â€쳌from each according to his(/her) abilityâ€쳌 is one that I would use.

I believe that there has to be a big distinction here between professional (by which I mean anyone who accepts money for performing) and amateur. The professional is undertaking a contract and has an obligation to provide the service to a standard that is acceptable to those who are paying.

Amateurs, on the other hand are doing it for fun (isn’t fun what it’s all about?) so the application of standards of any sort must be done with great care. So, in short, I would say ‘no’ even the most basic standards of remembering the words and singing in tune cannot be applied universally.

Let me give you just one example of what I mean that I hope will illustrate my point. I go to a folk club which is there mainly for the benefit of people (friends) who like to hear each other perform. We don’t have a charge or book guests. The standard varies from excellent to that which, shall I say, probably falls below what some of the posters here would find acceptable. Nonetheless, everyone gets the same encouragement and applause and, on average, we have 15 to 20 performers every month. The oldest member is a chap called Colin. Colin is 80 and he comes almost every month. To be honest, he can’t sing in tune now, has lost his sense of rhythm and usually forgets his words even when they are written down in front of him. Nevertheless, his enthusiasm is boundless, he has a wonderful sense of humour and we love him â€" the club just wouldn’t be the same without him. Are we to apply a performance standard to Colin? To stop him performing would not only break his heart but would, I think almost all of us would agree, be a sad loss to the club. I think Colin also performs a valuable function: new people who join us and may be a little uncertain of their ability, are encouraged when they see Colin getting a great reception. Our club has been running for years and, usually, there are so many singers we have to restrict it to two songs per person.

Not only is our club a great place to keep traditional material alive, it’s also a great place to hear some new and original material that will probably never reach a wider audience â€" often songs that come directly from the local area. Sure, some performers who aspire to a higher standard have come to the club and never returned and I’ve heard some comments that they don’t think the standard is high enough for them. That’s fine, but I think it’s sad that they feel that way.

I hope I’ve answered your question. Sorry if it’s been rather longwinded but I think it warranted a full explanation.