One of the unique aspects of this festival is how the exhibits and grounds of Mystic Seaport play such an important role in the staging of the event. It is one thing to sit in a church basement and listen to someone tell you about shanty singing and share a few samples, but it is an altogether unique experience to see and hear the songs performed onboard ships like the Joseph Conrad or C.W. Morgan accompanying the work for which the song was created. It was actually considered bad luck for shanties to be sung anywhere other than onboard ship – but the folk revival turned many of these work songs into entertainment pieces. Hearing them as they were meant to be sung will give you a whole new appreciation of their power.

As you walk the grounds at Mystic Seaport during the event, it is quite easy to forget that you are at a music festival. The spirit of the surroundings will take you back to a time when the maritime life was a major occupation in this country – and it will also remind you that this work still goes on.
Because of this setting, Sea Music Festival draws fans from around the world. The annual event normally draws 5000 or more fans each year. Aficionados of sea music are hard core folkies with a deep love and respect for the lore of the sea. The festival respects that, and works hard to prevent a diverse lineup that shares traditions from many different cultures.

One of the featured performers this year will be Louis Killen, a staple on the British folk scene for over four decades. Canada will be represented by several artists, including the group Chanterelle who specialize in the music of the French in North America. Also from Canada, the duo of Jon Bartlett and Rika Rubesaat will share from their ballad collection. The Portuguese maritime tradition, prevalent in the New England area, we be explored by Ana Vinagre, a New Bedford resident who is a master of the Fado style of singing.

I am also looking forward to seeing Lee Murdock, a marvelous folksinger who is a treasure trove of music and stories of the Great Lake maritime tradition. Lee does not come to the Northeast too often, so don’t miss this opportunity!

Another treasure is Jeff Warner, the son of renowned collectors Frank and Anne Warner. Jeff will share songs from their collection as well as music that he has discovered through his own travels as a folksinger.

Mystic Seaport has done a number of exhibits over the years that highlight the role played by African-American sailors. Performing at this year’s festival will be the Northern Neck Chantey Singers, a choral singing group that specializes in the chantey singing tradition of Black menhaden fisherman – a specialized fishing industry that can be found in only two regions – Reedville, Virginia and Beaufort, North Carolina. Their music is quite different from the chantey singing that many of know, and the tradition is being kept alive by this group of retired fisherman who worked in this area when the chanteys and work songs were sung. Their appearance is a wonderful opportunity to discover this little known style of music.

There are many other practitioners of the sea music who will be present during the weekend, including Don Sineti – whose powerful voice filled the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club this past weekend. It is always a treat to see Don at Mystic – believe me, you can’t miss him! Just keep your ears open and I guarantee you will find him!!

I highly recommend the evening concerts. What an enchanting setting – sitting on the waters edge near the lighthouse, watching the boats go past, perhaps enjoying fine ale, and being enthralled by the wonderful musicians who are sharing their passion.

In addition to the concerts and workshops, the Sea Music Festival will present a special exhibit of the artwork of the late Stan Hugill, and on Saturday at 5pm his contribution to maintaining the tradition of chantey and sea music will be commemorated. The 100th anniversary of Stan’s birth was celebrated last November. Stan was a fixture at many of the early festivals. Stan was a collector and the author of a number of books, including the seminal volume “Shanties From The Seven Seas” which collected over 400 songs and gave histories behind them as well as the lifestyle and heritage of life onboard ship. My copy is becoming dog-eared as I am constantly re-reading passages or looking up songs. It is a great read, even if you can’t read music – a sea voyage without the danger of becoming seasick!

One other feature that makes the Sea Music Festival unique is the annual “Music of the Sea” symposium. The symposium takes place on Saturday morning, beginning at 9:30am. Three papers are presented in a lecture given by their authors :

“A Forgotten Wellspring of Bawdy Ballads: The Cunning Linguists of Seamen and Fair Maids” will explore the salacious side of sea music through this detailed study of the 1690s publication of Thomas D’Urfey’s “Pills to Purge Melancholy: Lewd Songs and Low Ballads” (this was the source of Ed McCurdy’s classic “Dalliance” series of recordings from the late 1950’s.) Valerie A. Austin, Ph.D., visiting professor of music education at Tennessee Tech University will present the paper.

One event you CANNOT miss – the post-concert pub sing! (You do not have to imbibe!) These sings are scheduled to be held in Frohsinn Hall, directly across the street from the Mystic Seaport entrance, adjacent to the parking lot. These events give everyone the opportunity to share a sea-song. Bring your best voice, a sea song with a great chorus, and be ready to have the time of your life. Learning the etiquette can be a bit tricky – when one song ends, someone stands up and just starts singing – there are no leaders and the first voice(and louder) voice takes over the floor! It is a great way to share the camaraderie that can be found in folk music circles, something that I worry is in danger of disappearing. After you attend your first Sea Music Festival, you won’t worry anymore.

The Mystic Sea Music Festival should be a “must” on your concert calendar!