Owen"
"the folk equivalent of classical music master classes. "
Not the case.
As I said, MacColl refused to take classes; instead he developed a workshop situation where every member was expected to participate in discussing each others' performances and attempting to assist by suggesting ways to improve the singing - in this way everybody benefitted from every sessions, whether it was you being worked on or not.
MacColl acted as chairman, summing up and pulling together the various suggestions of practical work, but to my knowledge he never taught (I have listened to all the available recordings, right back to the beginning of the Group, so I beilve this to have always been the case).
The evenings often ended with talks by MacColl on aspects arising out of the work, but, while usually being the most enjoyable parts of te evening, these were not classes.
Peggy took part only as a member of the group, though she did give classes on instrumental accompaniment to individuals, when requested.
Jim Carroll