Subject: RE: singaround etiquette
From:
Joe Offer
Date: 26 Dec 18 - 10:44 PM
The San Francisco Folk Music Club's Camp Harmony just came out with its annual list of reminders. Excuse the formatting errors, but I think this is pretty good stuff:
We're very excited to welcome you to our new location! Please read these important reminders:
? On the first day you are registered, arrive AFTER 2:00pm.
? Check your housing assignment email. If you are registered Economy, you need to bring linens and towels with you. If you are registered semi-private, linens and towels are included. Your housing assignment email also has many helpful hints about what to bring. And speaking of what you bring...
? Every year at Camp Harmony, our clean-up crew brings home a phenomenal quantity of left-behind objects. Be mindful while you are at camp, and check before you leave that you have all your belongings.
? Please read the below information on etiquette at Camp, even if you have attended in the past:
Etiquette at Camp Harmony (and other SFFMC Events)
Thank you for registering for Camp Harmony! You may be an old hand at San Francisco Folk Music Club camps, or you this might be your first time coming to the New Year?s Camp. Either way, we?d like to remind you of some of the ways we all get along together. These basic rules of etiquette are some general guidelines to make sure that everyone has the best experience of camp possible.
Workshops
? Workshops are focused on a single subject, and generally have a facilitator who would like to present or share some material. Often, but not always, there is an intention for other participants to share what they have as well.
? Workshop leaders should arrive on time and let the other participants know what is expected of them.
? Workshop leaders should also be aware of the time and end on time so the next workshop can start on time.
? Workshop leaders have final say in the format of their workshop. It?s their show, please let them host it the way they wish. If there is general sharing of material, they may choose to go around the room in a circle, where everyone gets a turn (time permitting), or they may choose to go popcorn-style, where people go in a more organic order.
? Participants may pass when it comes to their turn; it is also common for them to make a request for a song or other piece that they would like to hear but don?t know (or aren?t confident about). This is fine, with the understanding that not every request needs to be fulfilled.
? Singing along with the choruses is generally encouraged; a person leading a song should indicate and possibly rehearse the chorus if its not a well-known song. That said, bear in mind that a person may be singing a different version of the song than you know, so listen carefully the first time through just to be sure. Even if they get the song wrong, that?s how the folk music process works, so bear with it and if you have questions about a version, ask after the song or after the workshop is over.
? If someone stumbles over the words, ask before helping. They may need their memory jogged in a different way or be working on a different version.
? If you?re stumbling over the words, ask for help. There?s no shame in a mental lapse.
? Let the song leader be the song leader. Don?t take over a song that someone else is leading simply because they?re not as strong a singer or as familiar with the song as you are. Similarly, don?t play an instrument on a song someone else is leading unless you have been asked.
Jam Sessions
? Jam sessions are made up of a group of musicians, often with many different instruments, all playing the same song. They can be happen in the regular workshop spaces, or in one of several jam-friendly areas around the camp, or even in private rooms. They may or may not be planned.
? Listen before you start playing, especially if you?re not familiar with the other performers.
? If you come upon a public jam session already in progress, it?s still polite to ask if you can join. This is doubly true if you play percussion, brass, or battlefield instruments (drums, horns, or bagpipes).
? Be respectful of private spaces. If you hear great music coming from a camper?s residence and there?s no sign welcoming you in, knock or just listen. Please be considerate of nappers and sleepers who share your lodgings.
Dances
? Anyone may ask anyone to dance. The tradition at camp is to change partners for each dance. We especially encourage folks to ask dancers who have been sitting out, and experienced dancers to ask new dancers, so that everyone gets a chance to dance.
? People of any gender may dance either role, or both. If you know how to dance one role and want to learn the other, plenty of folks in the hall will be happy to partner with you and help you out. Dance with whoever comes at you. Don?t assume that the role someone is dancing is based on their gender presentation.
? You are always free to say no when someone asks you to dance. You don?t have to give a reason you can just say No, thank you. If you ask someone to dance and they say No, take it gracefully and move on.
? Communicate your needs to your partner so they know how to give you the most comfortable dance. You can always speak up if a dancer is doing anything that makes you uncomfortable: for example, Please swing slower, or, I?d like your hand a little higher.
? Be sensitive to the safety of your fellow dancers. Never force a partner to twirl or jerk a partner?s hand, arm or shoulder. Always ask your partner if it is ok, before doing your own special swing move, twirl or dip.
? Dance conservatively with anyone you don't know well. Remember that your partners comfort zone may be different than yours. Respect others personal dance space, do not dance too close or insist on eye contact.
? Please be thoughtful in your hygiene and do not wear scented products. Some dancers are hypersensitive or allergic to highly scented products such as perfume, aftershave, etc,. and others react to odors such as spices, onions, garlic or body odor.
? Respect our dance halls. Wear shoes with clean, soft soles. No drinks or food are allowed on the dance floor.
? Pay attention to the caller during a walk though. Even if you do not need to hear the walk through, allow others to learn.
? Please thank the band and caller. They are all volunteers and fellow campers!
Concerts
? Concerts are performances by one person or a small group. There is a general concert every night after dinner that anyone can sign up for or attend. Also, there may be concerts listed in the general schedule in various event spaces. Attendance is open to everyone.
? Performers should arrive on time and be prepared for any setup they need to do. Please also be aware that it takes a few minutes for people to make their way to a location, so giving the audience a few minutes to arrive is a good idea.
? Performers should also leave time at the end of their show for announcements, and make space for the next workshop. Consider moving elsewhere if you have time-consuming business-like mailing lists or CD sales.
? Please hold questions and comments until the end of the performance unless invited otherwise.
? Unless invited to sing along, please let the performer do the performance. Be respectful of the performer?s effort and training, and of the audience?s desire to hear the performer and not you.
? If you arrive late, please wait on the edge of the performance space until the performer is between songs. That minimizes disruption to the audience?s enjoyment. If you have to leave early, please wait until between songs for the same reason.
General Camp Etiquette
? We are counting on you to do your chores. You are asked to do a number of chores depending on your age and the amount of time you stay at camp, and these tasks are important to the smooth functioning of the camp. Please do your share!
? Also note that leading a workshop is not a chore. Leading a workshop is something you offer to the rest of camp, and is entirely optional. Doing chores is part of the cost of your stay at camp, and is NOT an option.
? Cover your cough. Especially in the dining hall. Use the chicken wing method.
Ralph
Ralph is the name of a hypothetical camper who also answers to the pronoun they. Ralph gets many things done around camp, from cleaning up messes to arranging chairs to organizing a call to the person who?s missing camp this year. The camp runs better with Ralph doing the things that need doing, that are within their capacity and authority to do.
WE ARE ALL RALPH.
So when you think to yourself, Hey, they should do this thing to make everyone?s experience of camp better, remember that Ralph answers to they, and that you?re Ralph, and see if maybe you should be the one to do that thing.
Thank you for being considerate and welcoming of our fellow campers, and making Camp Harmony the best experience it can be for all the diverse people who attend. We hope you have a great time this year, and for many years to come!
Yours in Harmony,
The Camp Harmony Committee
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