What is a Singing Session?  Find Out on June 10th in Huntsville

Q. What is a singing session?

A. It’s a music session devoted to the traditional Celtic singing styles.

Q. Is this like a sing-along?

A. No. Everyone in attendance will be encouraged to share songs with the group. These songs will usually be solo performances unless the singer has asked, in advance, for participation on a chorus or particular phrase.

Q. Can I bring a Lunasa recording and do some “Irish Karaoke”?

A. If you do, you and your recording will be severely savaged by the group! Recorded music is not welcomed except to provide the opportunity to hear a noteworthy performance that illustrates a particular style. Recording devices are also not encouraged, and should only be used to record yourself or others who have specifically granted permission.

Q. Can I sing “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” and teach the group the hand and arm choreography that goes with it?

A. That’s a lovely song, BUT, we intend to focus on the traditional singing of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, Galletia and the Isle of Mann. Songs might be sung in: Irish, Scots Gaelic, Lallans, Welsh, Cornish, Breton, French, Galletian, Spanish, Manx (Manx? Nobody sings in Manx! Nobody even knows how to speak Manx anymore.) or, of course, English. The styles might be: Ballad, Sean Nos, Puirt-a-buel, Muneras, work songs, wauking songs, shanties, lilting or diddeling.

Q. So “Oh, Danny Boy” would be a great choice?!

A. “Oh, Danny Boy” was written by an English attorney, during his daily commute in London. If you can take the “slagging”, go for it!

Q. What is “slagging”?

A. The art of prolonged verbal evisceration, as elevated to the status of an Olympic sport by people of Celtic heritage. While we’re on the subject, slagging would probably also follow any of the “Tin Pan Alley Irish” songs. (i.e.: “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” or “Who Threw The Overalls In Mrs. Murphy’s Chowder”)

Q. Will there be plenty of room for music stands?

A. Bring a music stand, and both you and it will be severely savaged! Re-read “slagging”, above.

Q. But where will I put my music?

A. Put the music where it belongs, in your head. If you bring notation, it will be lit afire and you will be severely savaged. Re-re-read “slagging”, above.

Q. Can I bring an instrument?

A. Yes, you can use it to accompany yourself or you might be asked to accompany someone else. We aren’t implementing a “check it at the door” policy, but if you start noodling between songs – there’ll be a lot more savaging and slagging!

Q. OK. I have a “real traditional” song. I can sing it, while accompanying myself on the concertina, without using notation! What else do I need to know?

A. You’ll be expected to do a decent introduction: background on the song, an anecdote about its composer or a noted performer, history, variations, something to help “set the stage”. Remember: in the tradition, the stories behind the song are as important as the song.

Q. What is this “tradition”, and why do I have to memorize everything?

A. “Tradition is the ashes of the bones of the past, which we use to make the mortar for the foundation of the future.” Bards, Seanachies, Brehons and Chieftains must learn by heart; to insure, if everything else is taken from us, we still have our music, stories, laws and customs.