Community Song Circle: Harmony and Joy

This is a 2 hour event where we gather to sing in community, learning and singing easy-to-pick-up songs in the oral tradition and in a non-performative way.

Much like songs sung around the campfire or kids songs, these will be songs that can be learnt quickly by echoing/mimicking the songleader without much need for elaborate memorization and effort. Many of these songs come from world music and folk traditions around the world, but no prior musical experience or knowledge of these songs is required. See the video of a previous session here!

Participants can expect to receive the benefits of community singing - namely, the physiological benefits of deep breathing and moving the body to express music, and psychological benefits of feelings of safety, lightheartedness, rhythmic entrainment, and being witnessed in community. We also explore authenticity in our voices, and mindfulness as we sing.

All voices are welcome, and very especially shy ones! No one will be expected to sing alone. Improvisation and harmonising on songs is also welcome, although these skills are very strictly not required.

Songs we will pick from to learn and sing:

• Row, row, row, your boat (children’s song)
• Mbele Mama (Cameroonian folk song)
• May I be open (community circle song)
• Every little cell in my body is happy (melodic mantra)
• PaBhasikoro (Zimbabwean community song)
• Di Sini Senang (Indonesian folksong)
• One breath after another (mantra song)
• Listen (interlocking rhythm community song)
• Senzeni Na (South African apartheid song)
• The water is wide (English/Scottish traditional song)
• Wild Mountain Thyme (Scottish traditional)
• Little white boat (Korean traditional, English lyrics)
• Stand in that river (American rewritten traditional)
• etc.

About the teacher

Eugene (@wandersong.music) is a community musician who has been singing since he was a child and playing guitar since his teens. In his late twenties, he became very drawn to traditional African music, namely the Zimbabwean mbira and its repertoire, and spent a large portion of his thirties pursuing the study of this traditional music. Eugene sang in groups and choirs while living overseas in the USA, deepening his love for traditional and community songs. His teaching is grounded in the spirit of authenticity and the love of music and human connection.

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