Thanks, Bert, now you've explained the context I'm sure you'll get more constructive responses. I'm not, however, going to volunteer my suggestions, as I'm used to the English folk scene and what we'd regard as standards would not be the same for you.

But I do think it's a good idea to try to raise awareness of folk song (by any definition of it that you care to use)with your group. There are so many features in folk songs that have stood the test of time - any songwriter could learn some useful tricks and techniques from them. And if your singers are performing live, acoustically and informally, folk songs will provide much more useful models for them than songs that were written for (say) musical theatre, church or the concert hall.

Good luck!

Marje