TMSA Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland
 
 
 
 

The Homecoming Trad Music Sessions

Information for Venues

Mission Statement of the Homecoming Trad Music Sessions

Supported by Homecoming Scotland 2009 and organised by the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA) - a programme of over 300 Scottish traditional music sessions across Scotland from March to November 2009.

The Homecoming Trad Music Sessions will -

  • enhance the Homecoming Experience for visitors and Scots at home.
  • showcase the diverse regional music and song traditions of Scotland.
  • cultivate widespread awareness and interest in traditional music and song.
  • extend the number of venues hosting traditional music sessions and events.

What is a session?

There is no strict definition of a "session". They are essentially dynamic and organic informal music and social events. They provide an opportunity for traditional musicians and singers to swap ideas, to learn new tunes and songs, to blether, to play and sing together, and to welcome other musicians, singers and all into the fold. Sessions are
inclusive – they do not have artists and audience – everyone is a participant. Sessions are so good that pub customers very often come specifically to participate in them. Sessions are not concerts or "gigs", which are usually formal and amplified performances. A session is not a performance; it is a social event with music and song in which everyone can participate. Sessions give visitors to Scotland an authentic experience of Scotland’s indigenous musical culture.

Information for venues whose sessions are being part financed by the project.

The Homecoming Sessions are unamplified, inclusive and participatory, all players and singers are welcome in a session. In addition, people often recite stories and poetry and this is also appreciated.

When advertising your Homecoming Sessions you may want to suggest that other musicians bring along their instruments and voices to join in. This type of participation is what being in a session is all about and is to be encouraged.

The Homecoming Session musicians will be contracted to lead the session for three hours. However, please note it is very common for short breaks in the music to occur regularly and conversation between musicians and establishment customers is very normal and is to be encouraged, this too is part of a normal session experience. It is
possible that the session will continue after the three hours – with or without the lead musicians.

The Homecoming Session should have a location in the venue free from other intrusive noise such as that emanating from a juke box, TV, pool table, fruit machine etc.

Each session will have two musicians contracted to lead the session.
The venue is responsible for paying each contracted musician thirty pounds (£30) on the night. This is a total outlay of sixty pounds (£60) for each session. Each musician will sign a receipt form signifying receipt of the £30 paid by the venue and this will be retained by the venue. The contracted musicians will receive the rest of their payment
(£30 each) by invoicing the TMSA.

Each venue will be supplied with an Information Pack in advance of the session. It will contain:-

  • Written confirmation of the session date and time
  • Emergency Contact Information
  • Posters to advertise each session
  • Receipt forms for the musicians
  • Venue Evaluation Forms for the venue to complete (see below)
  • Participant Feedback Forms (see below)

Venue Evaluation Forms - Each venue must complete a small amount of evaluation paperwork - A Venue Information Sheet giving us some baseline information about your venue and a Venue Feedback Sheet. Neither will be complicated or time-consuming to complete. However, this will enable the TMSA to evaluate the project as a whole and help us to secure funding so that the sessions can continue past 2009.

Participant Feedback Forms - Each venue will also be supplied with Participant Feedback Forms. The musicians will collect them from the venue on the night and be responsible for them being completed and returned to the TMSA.

Musicians often appreciate some free refreshments provided during the course of the Homecoming Session!