The
Home of Great Songs
www.SongwritersCircle.org
What is a Song Circle?
Our
favorite performing format is a Campfire-style Song Circle. The setup
was inspired by the campfire song sharing at the Kerrville festival,
where we first experienced the synergy of having numerous musicians
sharing their songs and talents all together.
Here
are some of the important elements of this performing style:
- We
do a set of about one hour with all three or four artists sitting
on stage the whole set.
- There
is no PA or just a small sound system for an intimate feel.
- The
first artist sings an original song. Then the next person to the
right sings an original song. When the last one is done it starts
over again.
- The
audience is encouraged to participate and make comments and ask
questions and jump in on harmony. The other performers are quiet
while someone is performing, unless invited to play along. It
is expected that if a song has a singable chorus that others will
join in.
- New
and in-the-works material is encouraged. Lyrics sheets are used
for very new material.
- The
artists introduce themselves. There is no MC, but there is an
anchor that moderates.
- Artists
tell the name of the song and give a brief introduction when it
fits.
The
informal feel of the song circle often produces a house concert feel
to the performance. People (performers, artists and audience) get
to know one another quickly. The feedback from other artists and from
the requests from the audience is invaluable.
