Two days ago, I presided over a board meeting of our local folk song society, discussing this very subject. It has become quite an issue at our showcase concerts and circle presentations. Until three or four years ago, the society's policy was "no singing by the audience unless requested by the performer", whether the "performer" was "on stage" at the front of the room or sitting and taking his turn to sing in a circle format. This prohibition included humming, even under one's breath. All singing was to be done during the jam-session period of the society's meetings, which occurs after the formal presentation (showcase/circle) period.

Some society members couldn't keep themselves from singing or humming; others (mainly newcomers) didn't understand the policy since singing is allowed at meetings of other local clubs; still others were offended at the idea of being silenced. So the society took the if-you-can't-beat-'em-join-'em view, and changed its policy to "singing along is allowed unless the performer requests you NOT to sing".

Well, THAT doesn't seem to be working out too well, either. Increasingly, performers are drowned out by the audience, and the audience often sings a familiar song the way they think it should go, which is not necessarily the way that the performer is interpreting it. One board member in particular is incensed about the situation, and at the board meeting she made some points with which the rest of us had to agree: that singing along too exuberantly is unfair and rude to the performer who has selected (and perhaps just learned) a song to present at the meeting; that it's unfair and rude to the listener who wants to hear the performer's take on a given song; that some performers may consider it too rude to tell the audience not to sing along (due to peer pressure and all that). So the decision has been made to revert to our old policy of "no singing along unless requested".

Ah, but how to enforce the new/renewed rule? How to put folks back down on the farm now that they've seen (or sung) Parree? According to the board, the onus is now on me, as current President of the society, to:
-- Write up an article for the newsletter detailing the board's policy revision and the reasons for it (without sounding dictatorial);
-- Write a short reminder of this decision, to be placed in the newsletter before every meeting;
-- Open each meeting with a reminder not to sing along (along with the reminders to turn off cell phones, to leave and enter the room quietly, to refrain from chatting during a song, etc.);
-- Re-announce the no-sing reminder when latecomers wander in;
-- Interrupt the meeting's program if singalongs occur unbidden, and say "naughty members, you mustn't do that" (but not in the middle of a song) without alienating the "offenders" or causing them to drop out of the society in a huff.

*groan* Can't wait to see how THIS is going to go over with the membership.

It was suggested at the board meeting that I fashion a sign that I could hold up if singing occurs; the sign would say "Shhh!" I sincerely hope it won't come to that.