The Folk Circle
Group Leaders: Vaughan & Jill Danning
Venue: The Verwood Hub
Booked Sessions: 21st May, 18th June
Day/Time: Wednesday 2.00 pm
Contact: email Jill & Vaughan here
Jill & Vaughan, leaders of The Folk Circle, talking to Richard Oliffe of Forest FM. They give details on how the group works and perform on live radio.
The Group
The Folk Circle is for anyone interested in keeping alive the folk tradition of shared music, story and song, played simply for enjoyment in a friendly and supportive environment. The folk genre typically reflects the life, times, politics, events, thoughts and experiences of ordinary people.
If you would like to sing, play a tune or tell a story, please come along. The songs, tunes and stories may be traditional or modern, happy, sad, or mysterious! Feel free to bring a stand for the words/music.
If you need inspiration, perhaps listen to modern day artists such as Steeleye Span, Donovan, Simon and Garfunkel, Joan Baez, Tom Paxton, Peter, Paul and Mary and Fairport Convention.
Image is not of The Folk Circle
In addition, there is a huge wealth of information on the internet, including this website:
Top 1000 Folk and Old Time Songs Collection, Lyrics with Chords and PDF – Titles index page
If you are still unsure, feel free to come along and listen to the first session.
The Format
The format is a ‘sing around’ style, intended for sharing. It creates a supportive atmosphere, not a performance in front of an audience. We are our own audience!
We sit in a circle and take it in turns to contribute songs (accompanied or a capella), stories, tunes, poems etc. In the circle, we take it in turn to contribute, single participants one piece at a time, groups contribute two. This continues around the room until time runs out, having a short break in the middle.
We would ask, when starting, that participants give a short bit of background to their contribution and, if suitable, indicate if they are happy for others to join in.
To be fair to everyone, contributions should not be more than 5 minutes, including the introduction. Acoustic instruments only – no amplifiers please!
The Leaders
We have lived in Dorset for over 20 years and moved to Verwood a couple of years ago.
We have both enjoyed listening to folk music over the years and have also been involved in folk dance groups.
Around 20 years ago, when our family had all flown the nest, we went to a folk club “just to listen” and got coerced into contributing something. That was the start of enjoying many more folk sessions, building our confidence and our list of songs! Our style is mostly guitar and voices, using harmony. Occasionally we might use other instruments.
We don’t pretend to be experts on the subject, but we really love sharing the experience with others.