Gary F. Plazyk
4889 N. Hermitage Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
(312) 561-2407
Dear Common Times, Spring, 1995
I would like to respond to Alvin McGovern’s column in the Winter issue of CT regarding Sing-A-Rounds. I have attended and helped host these musical get-togethers for about ten years, ranging in size from ten to sixty people. I would like to share some points that I feel are important to having a successful and repeating song circle:
We like the “play, pick, or pass” format because it gives everybody a chance to participate. Each person gets his or her turn, and then the circle moves on. It is very important to designate a leader (Alvin’s “Circle Meister”) who keeps the circle moving. It’s easy to get carried away sometimes and want to contribute an additional song or two, but this can rapidly deteriorate into musical mayhem. A song circle is not a jam session or a concert – everybody gets an equal opportunity to participate.
Our group always applauds. Each performance, even if not done expertly, is participation, which is the whole point.
The hosts will appreciate offers of help setting up before and cleaning up afterwards. Also, bringing folding chairs, music stands, and food or drink to share might be appreciated.
We always have colored pens and “Hello, my name is…” tags, and encourage everybody to make and wear them. Name tags help reinforce introductions, and make the leader’s job easier. The hosts, at least, should wear name tags to identify themselves in all but the smallest get-togethers.
If you mailed invitations, put a copy of your address list as a sign-in sheet near the name tags, so people can correct, change, or add their addresses if necessary.
When mailing invitations, put “Address Correction Requested” below your return address on the envelope – a letter with a changed address is returned to you with the address correction; it helps keep your mailing list up to date.
Finally, we like to have several copies of Sing Out’s songbook Rise Up Singing (the “blue book”) handy. Although some people object to singing from any book, or dislike this book because of its peculiar chord notation, it does have lots of familiar and well-loved songs. Having a common set of lyrics can really help when you can’t remember all the words to a song or when you’re stuck for ideas.
I hope these suggestions will help your next Sing-A-Round. Just remember to have fun, and spread the joy of friends making music together.
Best regards,
Gary Plazyk