Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub

Subject: RE: Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Dec 11 - 11:45 AM

I'm going to a meeting of the local klezmer group instead. Problem solved.

I think you could sing "While Shepherds Watched" to the tune of "Papirossen".

Subject: RE: Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub
From: Tootler
Date: 20 Dec 11 - 11:34 AM

While Shepherds Watched has several hundred alternative tunes.

Subject: RE: Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub
From: GUEST,Square The Circle
Date: 20 Dec 11 - 04:46 AM

Leeneia, that sound good I will have to look up the those tunes.
Nigel, yes I know but it is alternative to the tune normally used for this carol. I consider alternative something that is not the norm.

Subject: RE: Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 19 Dec 11 - 10:55 AM

I can't agree with that comment:
of course Sheperds, but only to be sung to alternative tunes, we did manage Ilkley Moor and the Dam Busters last night at our anual folk club dinner.
The tune which is now used for Ilkley Moor was previously used for While Shepherds. That cannot be considered an alternate tune!

Nadolig Llawen
Nigel

Subject: RE: Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Dec 11 - 09:39 AM

We didn't have a club, but we met to play. We had our greatest success with French noels in minor keys, such as Noel Nouvelet, Il est Ne and Patapan. They have good tunes, sound interesting, and invite bystanders to pick up a percussion instrument and join in.

Subject: RE: Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 11 - 09:08 AM

Well I though someone would have suggested
Free Raffle Tickets
Free Artist
Free Food
Free Beer, we give free beer to members anyway.
Newport Folk Club

Subject: RE: Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub
From: Marje
Date: 18 Dec 11 - 12:26 PM

Good idea to put together a booklet. Someone did supply a sheet of carols at our club but it was printed so tiny that I could never have read it. Luckily my memory is better than my eyesight so I know most of them anyway. I did introduce the others to the Ilkley Moor (Cranbrook) tune for While Shepherds Watched, which made a nice chorussy finish to the evening. People are always surprised to hear that it's a legitimate tune for those words, and not just a "One Song to the Tune of Another" thing. (The Dam Busters, on the other hand, is not noted for its sacred connections. But I'm sure it was fun anwyay.)

Subject: RE: Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub
From: GUEST,Square the Circle
Date: 18 Dec 11 - 08:57 AM

Marje, sounds like we're on the right track then apart from the tune set to start, whole heartedly agree with comments about those who can't be bothered to learn something seasonal. But we have put a carol booklet together so everyone can join in for more that just the first verse, 28 christmas songs including Silver Bells, Hail Chime on and of course Sheperds, but only to be sung to alternative tunes, we did manage Ilkley Moor and the Dam Busters last night at our anual folk club dinner.

Subject: RE: Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub
From: Marje
Date: 16 Dec 11 - 11:49 AM

I would have liked a few more people to turn up at ours ....

But my ideal formula would include:
A session-type instrumental set of carol tunes to set the mood
A variety of floor spots featuring Christmassy or seasonal or wassaily songs, some with choruses, and perhaps some entertaining party-pieces (comic songs, readings etc).
And some hearty communal carol-singing to finish off (with care taken to start them off in singable keys).

And NO floor spots where the person gets up and says, "Well, I don't know anything seasonal, so I'll sing you this song about a coal-mining disaster/some blues/a Rolling Stones number." If people can't be bothered to find something suitable to sing at a Christmas folk club (and it's not as if they didn't know that Christmas was coming, it happens quite predictably) they should just keep quiet.

Oh yes and of course, ideally, the landlord would lay on some food for the Christmas club session. And there might be a raffle (for those who like raffles. I don't, but some do.) Or perhaps a short, light-hearted quiz on seasonal or folky topics.

Marje

Subject: RE: Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub
From: Sooz
Date: 16 Dec 11 - 11:38 AM

Last year the only carol we allowed was While Shepherds Watched. However, it was sung to at least 20 different tunes! Not ready to do it again this year though.

Subject: Your Ideas For ChristmasFolkClub
From: GUEST,Square The Circle
Date: 16 Dec 11 - 06:10 AM

What would you like to happen at your local folk club this Christmas, what sort of songs, plays, tunes or any other suggestions on the back of a penny black.