Nightingales: report

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Report on 2009 Summer Nightingales

2009 Summer Nightingales
Location: Southcentral Wisconsin
Dates: July 17-19, 2009

We were a smaller group than some of us imagined, but we found our voice early in the weekend and enjoyed one another's company and fellowship.

Saturday afternoon we gathered to hear news of one another and of fFriends who couldn't be with us that weekend. We followed that time with a short, focused session to respond to one person's concern about how to maintain leadership and build cohesion while acknowledging the absence of the cherished Celestial Mamas among us.

We talked about and reflected on a few other things:

what helps us experience a gathered singing
how to be intentional about what we do as Nightingales (our unspoken norms and behaviors when we sing, e.g.), and
when to be explicit about who we are, to ourselves and to the wider world, in order to reduce or eliminate the perception that Nightingales is an exclusive club (announcements, getting onto mailing lists, etc.).

Saturday night's circle included a rare performance by the Greenler trio of Robin, Karen, and Lee, who sang Antonius Begonius (I make no claims on correct spelling).

We enjoyed Lee's and Susan's hospitality as well as their new "Pole Barn," which provided a wonderful singing space for all of us on a cool, buggy Saturday night.

NEXT NIGHTINGALES:

Fall 2009
Southeastern Wisconsin

Full names, addresses, and other contact information will be included only when permission is given.

Who we are

Nightingales is a group of Quakers and friends of Quakers within Northern Yearly Meeting, who gather 2-3 times a year at people's homes for a weekend of potluck meals and fellowship-through-singing. Nightingales particularly welcomes Friends and friends of Friends who enjoy non-performance singing as an expression of the Spirit.

Nearly the whole time we gather, we sing with one another without relying on instruments, a leader, or the ability to read music. We sing mostly out of Rise Up Singing and the Quaker hymnal. Occasionally we teach each other songs that have a Nightingales feel to them.

The best way to understand more fully who we are is to join us for part or all of one of our weekends.

Children and youth at Nightingales

Children and teens are welcome at Nightingales with the understanding that we are all gathered for the weekend primarily to sing and have fellowship.

Sometimes the kids will go off on their own during the day, singly or in pairs, in small or large groups. We've had infants, toddlers, teenagers, kids of all ages among us, despite there not being childcare or any separate program.

If you are a parent and are unsure of what to expect, feel free to talk with other Nightingales about their own experience bringing their kids. You can contact Liz at lizopp AT gmail DOT com to help get connected to other parents.

Mailing list and fees

To be placed on either the email list or a snail mail list for Nightingales, please email Liz at lizopp AT gmail DOT com. She will help you get placed on the contact list. (Nightingales doesn't share its list and uses it only to share news immediately relevant to Nightingales.)

Otherwise, to keep informed of upcoming Nightingale events, scroll down and subscribe as a "Follower" of this blog.

Most weekends, attenders are asked to contribute a small fee ($10-20) to help offset mailing costs, the rental of a porta-potty, and some other incidentals. Occasionally, Nightingales meets at a camp or has a special event that requires slightly higher fees.

Permissions and other information

Full names, addresses, and other contact information will be published only when the individual(s) give(s) permission to the blog administrator.

Liz Opp(enheimer) is responsible for the content of this blog. She offers it as a service to Quakers who are familiar with Nightingales, have sung with that group, or who wish to get involved.

This blog is intended to share information of when and where our gatherings occur, how to join in, and any related activities that may be worthwhile to track over time.

If you have a concern about the content of this blog, please contact Liz directly at lizopp AT gmail DOT com.

Nightingales

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Report on 2009 Summer Nightingales

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