Orpington folk club frequently asked questions.

1. DECLARATION.
Orpington Folk Club exists to promote folk music and song. It is a non-profit making organisation and is for those who wish to listen to or take part in an informal evening of folk music and song.
No recorded music material is used during our evenings. The organisers and resident musicians of the club give their time freely and do not benefit financially from their performances or duties.

2. THE RESIDENTS.
The residents are singer/musicians who regularly attend the club and are usually committee members. Acting as MC's/Host's, they start the proceedings off and give continuity to the programme for the evening.
The general running of the club also falls to them - advertising, booking
of guest(s) and running the door etc. ( suggestions for guest(s) are always welcome )

3. ORPINGTON FOLK CLUB.
Orpington Folk Club ( O.F.C ) is the longest surviving folk club in the area. Having enjoyed several homes over the past 41 years, the O.F.C. is now firmly established most evenings in the restaurant or in the bar annex at:
the "Change of Horses"
       Farnborough High Street
       Farnborough Village
       Nr Orpington
       Kent

01689 852949
Orpington Folk Club is a members club and meets every Thursday evening from 8:15pm.

4. WHAT HAPPENS AT THE CLUB.
We have three different types of evening - booked guest(s) nights, singers nights and singarounds.
The last two evenings are sometimes advertised as a "Come All Yea".

5. FORMAT.
The format for most thursdays, except singarounds, is to commence with one of our regular
singer(s)/musician(s), followed by a floor singer from the audience who has requested a spot.

For those seeking a floor spot on a guests night. We recommend you phone or email us
first, especially if coming from a long way. We also have to be selective on guest/s nights

This is to help us plan the evenings better, ensure the guest(s) get their full
performance and avoid disappointment to anyone.

6. GUEST(S) NIGHTS.
After the initial start, on a booked guest(s) night, the guest(s) will perform for us for 30-45 minutes approximately, depending on the duration of their act. This will normally be followed by a break. The evening then continues with one or two floor singers, after which our guest(s) will perform again for 30-40 minutes and finish the evening, at eleven p.m.

7. SINGERS & MUSICIANS NIGHTS.
Singers nights start off in a similar way to guest(s) nights but continue on with singers from the floor to perform for us. Each spot will be around 8-10 minutes in duration, depending on how many wish to perform that evening.

Singers' Nights are a popular part of the club's program with all types of acoustic folk music and song performed. This is the chance for SOLO or GROUPS of singer musicians to come and showcase their talent.

8. SINGAROUNDS.
Singarounds are much less formal than singers nights. There is no stage area to sing from. Each singer(s)/musician(s) will perform from where they are sitting.
Starting with one of the resident singer(s)/musician(s), each performer will sing one song.
Then moving on to the next person/group, going around the room. Repeating until the end of the evening.

9. MUSIC QUALITY.
The ability and quality of anyone floor singer(s)/musician(s) can range from the very experienced professional, to those just starting out. All are given encouragement and a listening ear.

10. ENTERTAINMENT.
Every evening is different. We enjoy a wide variety of entertainment, from highly acclaimed professional, semi-professional singer(s)/musician(s) to amateur enthusiasts. It includes unaccompanied singers, groups of singers and musicians, playing a variety of instruments.
Apart from guitars, accordions and flutes, some of the more unusual instruments are dulcimers, hurdy-girdys and crumphorns to name but a few. There are often large helpings of humour in their performances, which is always welcome. Guest(s) are often booked for their humour as much as their music.

12.FOLK MUSIC AND SONG.
Folk music is the experiences of peoples lives written through the ages in music and song. All backgrounds, including the nobility and high society have contributed to traditional music and song collections. Most traditional folk tunes and songs have been passed down from one generation of folk singer/musician to the next, through what is called the folk process. The original composers are generally not known and the tunes are often transformed as they are handed on. Many different versions may exist of a particular tune/song and no one version is looked upon as being "The one and only right version". Sometimes a tune may have several sets of words with different names or a song more than one tune. Such is the nature of the folk process. Music that has been shaped by this process is often called traditional music and song.
See "A history of the English Folk Dance and Song Society"
by Derek Schofield. www.efdss.org/ & www.umi.com/hp/Support/Research/Files/225.html

13. NOT ALL TRADITIONAL.
Not all folk music is traditional it encompasses a whole range of musical styles and modes.
Most of them have been performed in folk clubs.
A good portion of the music heard is contemporary and popular songs of the day and the recent past are sung.

We have in our own club, members who write and record their own material, which is of very high quality and well liked. They are also performed by other singer(s)/musician(s), with the permission of the writers and become part of their performances at a variety of folk and other venues. Some contemporary songs and tunes are written in such a way as to sound traditional. They sound so authentic and convincing that to the unknowing they are often mistaken for traditional music and song.

The landlord permits smoking in the bar. On some nights our guests may request that
you do not smoke in the the conservatory.

15. PERFORMERS.
Performers are always welcome at the club on guest(s) nights and especially singer's nights and singarounds. We try to provide an atmosphere that is both comfortable and welcoming for all to give their best and enjoy the experience.

16. JOINING THE CLUB.
Orpington Folk Club is a members club and welcomes visitors, new members and performers. To join the club it is necessary to visit, make yourself known to us and fill in a very simple form.
You can also phone or email us 48 hours before coming. MEMBERSHIP is free.

17. BOOKINGS.
Enquiries about bookings should be made to the club or via e-mail: orpingtonfolkclub@hotmail.com

or Brian Bruce telephone 020 8856 5711

Orpington Folk Club The Change of Horses Established 1965	1.	Declaration
	2.	What's a Resident
	3.	Orpington Folk Club
	4.	What happens at the club
	5.	Format
	6.	Guest(s) nights
	7.	Singers & Musicians Nights
	8.	Singarounds
	9.	Music quality
	10.	Entertainment
	11.	Who goes to a Folk Club
	12.	Folk Music and Song
	13.	Not all traditional
	14.	Smoking
	15.	Performers
	16.	Join the club
	17.	Bookings

1. DECLARATION. Orpington Folk Club exists to promote folk music and song. It is a non-profit making organisation and is for those who wish to listen to or take part in an informal evening of folk music and song. No recorded music material is used during our evenings. The organisers and resident musicians of the club give their time freely and do not benefit financially from their performances or duties. 2. THE RESIDENTS. The residents are singer/musicians who regularly attend the club and are usually committee members. Acting as MC's/Host's, they start the proceedings off and give continuity to the programme for the evening. The general running of the club also falls to them - advertising, booking of guest(s) and running the door etc. ( suggestions for guest(s) are always welcome ) 3. ORPINGTON FOLK CLUB. Orpington Folk Club ( O.F.C ) is the longest surviving folk club in the area. Having enjoyed several homes over the past 41 years, the O.F.C. is now firmly established most evenings in the restaurant or in the bar annex at: the "Change of Horses" Farnborough High Street Farnborough Village Nr Orpington Kent BR6 7BB 01689 852949 Orpington Folk Club is a members club and meets every Thursday evening from 8:15pm. 4. WHAT HAPPENS AT THE CLUB. We have three different types of evening - booked guest(s) nights, singers nights and singarounds. The last two evenings are sometimes advertised as a "Come All Yea". 5. FORMAT. The format for most thursdays, except singarounds, is to commence with one of our regular singer(s)/musician(s), followed by a floor singer from the audience who has requested a spot. For those seeking a floor spot on a guests night. We recommend you phone or email us first, especially if coming from a long way. We also have to be selective on guest/s nights This is to help us plan the evenings better, ensure the guest(s) get their full performance and avoid disappointment to anyone. 6. GUEST(S) NIGHTS. After the initial start, on a booked guest(s) night, the guest(s) will perform for us for 30-45 minutes approximately, depending on the duration of their act. This will normally be followed by a break. The evening then continues with one or two floor singers, after which our guest(s) will perform again for 30-40 minutes and finish the evening, at eleven p.m. 7. SINGERS & MUSICIANS NIGHTS. Singers nights start off in a similar way to guest(s) nights but continue on with singers from the floor to perform for us. Each spot will be around 8-10 minutes in duration, depending on how many wish to perform that evening. Singers' Nights are a popular part of the club's program with all types of acoustic folk music and song performed. This is the chance for SOLO or GROUPS of singer musicians to come and showcase their talent. David Harley's tips for floor singers Here... 8. SINGAROUNDS. Singarounds are much less formal than singers nights. There is no stage area to sing from. Each singer(s)/musician(s) will perform from where they are sitting. Starting with one of the resident singer(s)/musician(s), each performer will sing one song. Then moving on to the next person/group, going around the room. Repeating until the end of the evening. 9. MUSIC QUALITY. The ability and quality of anyone floor singer(s)/musician(s) can range from the very experienced professional, to those just starting out. All are given encouragement and a listening ear. 10. ENTERTAINMENT. Every evening is different. We enjoy a wide variety of entertainment, from highly acclaimed professional, semi-professional singer(s)/musician(s) to amateur enthusiasts. It includes unaccompanied singers, groups of singers and musicians, playing a variety of instruments. Apart from guitars, accordions and flutes, some of the more unusual instruments are dulcimers, hurdy-girdys and crumphorns to name but a few. There are often large helpings of humour in their performances, which is always welcome. Guest(s) are often booked for their humour as much as their music. 11.WHO GOES TO A FOLK CLUB. People from all walks of life come to the folk club. Everyone is made to feel welcome and you will find us very accessible and easygoing. 12.FOLK MUSIC AND SONG. Folk music is the experiences of peoples lives written through the ages in music and song. All backgrounds, including the nobility and high society have contributed to traditional music and song collections. Most traditional folk tunes and songs have been passed down from one generation of folk singer/musician to the next, through what is called the folk process. The original composers are generally not known and the tunes are often transformed as they are handed on. Many different versions may exist of a particular tune/song and no one version is looked upon as being "The one and only right version". Sometimes a tune may have several sets of words with different names or a song more than one tune. Such is the nature of the folk process. Music that has been shaped by this process is often called traditional music and song. See "A history of the English Folk Dance and Song Society" by Derek Schofield. www.efdss.org/ & www.umi.com/hp/Support/Research/Files/225.html 13. NOT ALL TRADITIONAL. Not all folk music is traditional it encompasses a whole range of musical styles and modes. Most of them have been performed in folk clubs. A good portion of the music heard is contemporary and popular songs of the day and the recent past are sung. We have in our own club, members who write and record their own material, which is of very high quality and well liked. They are also performed by other singer(s)/musician(s), with the permission of the writers and become part of their performances at a variety of folk and other venues. Some contemporary songs and tunes are written in such a way as to sound traditional. They sound so authentic and convincing that to the unknowing they are often mistaken for traditional music and song. 14. SMOKING. As from December 2005 the club is now a NO SMOKING Venue. The landlord permits smoking in the bar. On some nights our guests may request that you do not smoke in the the conservatory. 15. PERFORMERS. Performers are always welcome at the club on guest(s) nights and especially singer's nights and singarounds. We try to provide an atmosphere that is both comfortable and welcoming for all to give their best and enjoy the experience. 16. JOINING THE CLUB. Orpington Folk Club is a members club and welcomes visitors, new members and performers. To join the club it is necessary to visit, make yourself known to us and fill in a very simple form. You can also phone or email us 48 hours before coming. MEMBERSHIP is free. 17. BOOKINGS. Enquiries about bookings should be made to the club or via e-mail: orpingtonfolkclub@hotmail.com or Brian Bruce telephone 020 8856 5711
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