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dmvalerts · 6 years

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Bowie E-News

Bowie: Bowie E-News August 2018 News National Night Out – August 7, 6 -8 p.m. Join neighbors, the Bowie Police Department, and community organizations and businesses at Allen Pond Park (3330 Northview Drive) on Tuesday, August 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. to say “goodbye to crime” at the City’s annual National Night Out Against Crime. This nationwide event helps to enhance relationships between neighbors and law enforcement and fosters a sense of community. Learn about crime prevention and public safety awareness while having fun with the whole family. Enjoy music, games, a moon bounce and food. And don’t forget to dunk the Chief in the tank! For more information, please call 240-544-5792. Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale – August 4 Are you interested in purchasing a rain barrel or compost bin? City staff and the Lions Club will sell both at Giant Food at Free State Shopping Center (15520 Annapolis Road, next to the Pea Pod Delivery section) on Saturday, August 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you would like to save your yard waste and food scraps to create your own compost, come purchase a compost bin at our discounted rate of $20. If you would like to prevent rainwater run-off from going into the Chesapeake Bay and put it to good use, such as watering your garden, then a rain barrel is for you. For more information, contact Ashleigh Armentrout at [email protected] or 301-809-3044, or visit www.cityofbowie.org/greenbowie. $20 Compost Bins Also Available at City Hall Purchase a $20 compost bin at City Hall and start composting. City residents may purchase up to two bins per household. Payment can be made by cash or check at the Finance window during the City’s business hours (Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and by check only at the reception desk during City Hall’s night and Saturday hours (Monday thru Thursday until 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon). Learn more about composting at www.cityofbowie.org/compost. National Farmers’ Market Week – August 5 - 11 Celebrate National Farmers’ Week by visiting the Bowie Farmers’ Market on Sunday, August 5 and buy fresh, inexpensive, and healthy food. The market is held in the Bowie High School parking lot (15200 Annapolis Road) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Also, be sure to visit again on August 12 for a free corn roast. Shop local vendors and organizations that offer a wide variety of products such as fresh fruits and vegetables, breads and baked goods, jams and jellies, honey, meat, ice cream, and fresh cut flowers. You may also purchase a rain barrel from the Lions Club. Each year, the market generates over $100,000 for these local producers-- a valuable economic boost for our community. Come out and celebrate! City Council Meeting to Note August 6 City Council Meeting, 8 p.m. – Agenda topic: City Transportation Priority List. This is the only Council Meeting scheduled for the month of August. For more information, contact the City Clerk at 301-809-3029 or [email protected]. Prospective Police Officer Physical Agility Test – August 11 Interested in a law enforcement career? The next Physical Agility Test for Bowie Police Officer applicants is August 11 at the Bowie Police Department (15901 Excalibur Road). Testing begins promptly at 8:45 a.m. Individuals who arrive after 9 a.m. will NOT be permitted to participate. Minimum standards and requirements for test: · Must be at least 20.5 years old; · Must show valid driver’s license; · Wear professional athletic attire (short sleeve shirt, shorts covering to mid-thigh, and athletic shoes · No nose/tongue rings · Women’s earrings must not extend below the earlobe. For additional information, please contact the Police Department at [email protected]. Community Outreach Grants – Applications Due August 15 The City of Bowie offers funding, through the Community Outreach Committee (COC), for individuals and organizations that have plans to implement a program for City of Bowie residents. Grants are awarded for projects or programs in areas such as social service, youth, senior citizens, and/or mental health issues that offer assistance to, or address the needs of, Bowie residents. The maximum amount grant amount is $5,000. Although applicants need not be City of Bowie residents, the grant program for which they are seeking funds must directly benefit City residents. Applications must be received at City Hall no later than Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 5 p.m. For additional information, please contact Neil Norris at 240-544-5601 or [email protected]. Back to School Bash – August 18 Elementary school aged children are invited to have some fun at the Bowie Gym’s annual Back to School Bash on August 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Enjoy carnival games, moon bounce, food, giveaways and more. There will also be a parent resource area with information on programs and activities for the school year. For more information, contact the Gym at 301-809-2388. What’s Bouncing at the City Gym? · Morning Walking - 7:30 - 9 a.m. · Basketball Open Gym - Weekdays, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. · Co-ed Recreational Volleyball – Fridays, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. · Pickleball – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 - 11 a.m. Information: 301-809-2388 Hurricane Season With the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season upon us, now is the perfect time for Bowie residents to prepare for the effects of a major storm. For helpful tips and information, visit www.cityofbowie.org/hurricanes. Help Our Collectors Stay Safe City trash and recycling collectors (“Bowie’s Strongest”) work hard each day to ensure waste material is collected and properly disposed of or recycled. Each collector individually lifts more than 20 tons of refuse from City curbs into the refuse trucks each week. Your care in setting out trash will assist in keeping our collectors safe. Keep it light. Bagged trash should be easy to lift and you should be able to carry it with one hand. Trash containers should be no larger than 32 gallons and when full, should weigh less than 50 pounds. Bundle yard debris so that it can easily be picked up and placed into the truck. Make certain that all glass, nails, and other sharp items are safely packaged in puncture proof containers and marked “sharps”. For information about safely disposing of needles, syringes and other medical sharps, please visit www.cityofbowie.org/trash. Mosquito Control The City of Bowie, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, has an aggressive mosquito surveillance and spraying program in City neighborhoods. When necessary, spraying is done in the late evenings/early mornings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (June to September.) You can also do your part to control the mosquito population and prevent the spread of West Nile virus by eliminating mosquito breeding areas on your property in places where water collects, such as trash cans, buckets, and wheelbarrows, and by changing water in kiddie pools, bird baths, and outdoor pet water bowls regularly. For more information about mosquito prevention, visit www.cityofbowie.org/mosquitoes. Lawn Mower Rebate City residents who purchase a new mulching, electric, or manual reel mower are eligible to receive a $50 rebate from the City of Bowie. To obtain your cash rebate, bring proof of City residency and the receipt for a mulching, electric, or manual reel mower to the Finance Department at City Hall. If the receipt does not specify that the mower is one of these three types, please also bring a manual or other documentation for the mower. More information: www.cityofbowie.org/greenbowie. $70 Fine for Leaving a Cat or Dog in an Unattended Vehicle In Maryland, it is a violation of state law ($70 fine) to leave a cat or a dog in an unattended vehicle. If the animal is left in a manner that endangers its health and welfare, such as in extreme heat, it is considered a criminal offense under the Criminal Law Article Sections 10-604, 10-606. Animal Control Officers are allowed to use force as reasonable and necessary to gain access into a vehicle for the purpose of rescuing a pet. The City of Bowie Animal Control Division is proactive in its approach to and enforcement of these violations. For more information, please contact Bowie Animal Control at 301-809-3002 or visit www.cityofbowie.org/animalcontrol. Bowie Youth & Family Services Programs Bowie Youth & Family Services offers counseling for all families in the City who have children in the home who are high school age or younger. Other services include outreach activities and a mentoring program for students at Bowie High School. Our staff members are licensed clinicians who each hold a graduate degree in a mental health specialty and who have years of training and experience in treating children, teens and their families. For more information, please call 301-809-3033. Need Extra Help This Summer? Bowie Youth & Family Services sponsors a Teen Job Bank that connects residents who need help with Bowie youth who are looking for opportunities for making extra money, on either an occasional or a regular basis. Residents may use this service to find teens that can help with lawn mowing, babysitting, tutoring, shopping or other chores. You and the teen determine the particulars of the job and the fees per hour. To hire a teen or sign up to work, complete the appropriate application found at www.cityofbowie.org/cityforms or call 301-809-3033. Mentor a Teen Bowie Youth & Family Services is now recruiting adult volunteer mentors to provide care and support to a Bowie High School student who may be struggling to make a successful transition into the high school environment. A mentor act as a friend, advisor and a listening heart. Make a difference in the life of a student by assisting in their transition to a successful academic experience. Volunteers spend an hour a week building relationships and making a positive difference in the lives of the students and their families. If you would like to join this dynamic team of volunteers and make a difference in your community, contact Bowie Youth & Family Services at 301-809-3033 or [email protected]. Sunday Sunset Concerts Concerts are held every Sunday through Labor Day weekend, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Allen Pond Park. They are canceled in the case of inclement weather. For information: visit www.cityofbowie.org/concerts, email [email protected] or call 301-809-3078. August concerts: 8/5, The Winstons (Motown sound); 8/12, Priceless Advice (90s music); 8/19, Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (country/bluegrass) 8/26, US Navy Sea Chanters (chorus) Color Blind at the City Hall Art Gallery The current art exhibit at City Hall runs through September 15. It is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are City Hall hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Holiday Arts and Crafts Market Save the date! On November 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the City Arts Committee will host a Holiday Market. For information, visit www.cityofbowie.org. Jobs The City of Bowie is seeking applicants for the following positions: Code Compliance Officer/Trainee (closes 8/17/2018) Communications Specialist II (open until filled) Police Officers – Entry level & Lateral (open until filled) Bus Driver – Part time (open until filled) Ice Arena Attendant – (open until filled) For more information or to apply, visit www.cityofbowie.org/jobs. Events 8/4 - Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Giant Food at Free State Shopping Center (15520 Annapolis Road, next to the Pea Pod Delivery area) City staff and the Lions Club will sell both rain barrels and compost bins. For more information, contact Ashleigh Armentrout at [email protected] or 301-809-3044, or visit www.cityofbowie.org/greenbowie. 8/5 – Sunday Sunset Concert Series – The Winstons (Motown) 7 - 8 p.m. at Robert V. Setera Amphitheater, Allen Pond Park. These concerts offer relaxing entertainment for the entire family. All concerts are free. They are canceled in case of inclement weather. For information: www.cityofbowie.org/concerts, [email protected] or 301-809-3078. 8/6 – City Council Meeting 8 p.m. at City Hall. On the agenda: City Transportation Priority List. 8/7 – Magic Show 12:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. For more information, please contact the Senior Center at 301-809-2300. 8/7 – National Night Out Against Crime 6 - 8 p.m. at Allen Pond Park. Join neighbors, the Bowie Police Department, and community organizations and businesses at Allen Pond Park (3330 Northview Drive) to say “goodbye to crime” at our annual National Night Out Against Crime event. For more information, please contact 240-544-5792. 8/8 – FairyTale Fun 10 - 11 a.m. at Belair Mansion. Stories, craft and refreshments for ages 2 - 5, with adult. Free. For more information, please contact 301-809-3089 or [email protected]. 8/11 - Prospective Police Officer Physical Agility Test 8:45 a.m. at the Bowie Police Department for those interested in a position in law enforcement. For additional information, please email [email protected]. 8/12 – Farmers’ Market Cornroast Enjoy free hot buttered corn on the cob from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (while supplies last). The Market is held in the Bowie High School parking lot (15200 Annapolis Road) each Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. through October 28. For more information, contact Matt Corley at 301-809-3078 or [email protected]. Also, visit the Bowie Farmers’ Market page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BowieFarmersMarket. 8/12 – Sunday Sunset Concert Series – Priceless Advice (90s music) 7 - 8 p.m. at Robert V. Setera Amphitheater, Allen Pond Park. All concerts are free. They are canceled in case of inclement weather. For information: www.cityofbowie.org/concerts, [email protected] or 301-809-3078. 8/14 – Not Just Bingo 10 a.m. at the Senior Center. For more information, please contact the Senior Center at 301-809-2300. 8/14 – Entertainer: Back to Broadway 12:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. For more information, please contact the Senior Center at 301-809-2300. 8/18 – Back to School Bash 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the City Gym. Enjoy carnival games, moon bounce, food, giveaways and more fun for elementary school-aged children. There will also be a parent resource area with information on programs and activities for the school year. For more information, contact the Gym at 301-809-2388. 8/18 – Games People Played 12 - 4 p.m. at Belair Mansion. Drop in and enjoy games from the past. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free. For more information, please contact 301-809-3089 or [email protected]. 8/19 – Sunday Sunset Concert Series – Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (country/bluegrass) 7 - 8 p.m. at Robert V. Setera Amphitheater, Allen Pond Park. All concerts are free. They are canceled in case of inclement weather. For information: www.cityofbowie.org/concerts, [email protected] or 301-809-3078. 8/21 – Kids Kaboose 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Bowie Railroad Museum. Railroad fun and games for youngsters ages 1 - 11. Free. For more information, please contact 301-809-3089 or [email protected]. 8/26 – Sunday Sunset Concert Series – US Navy Sea Chanters (chorus) 7 – 8 p.m. at Robert V. Setera Amphitheater, Allen Pond Park. All concerts are free. They are canceled in case of inclement weather. For information: www.cityofbowie.org/concerts, [email protected] or 301-809-3078. 9/3 – Labor Day Monday, September 3, 2018 is a City Holiday. City offices are closed. There is no refuse or recycling collection this day. Collection will resume on the next regularly scheduled pickup day. If you would like to edit your subscriptions or the way you receive these messages, please LOGIN to your account to manage your information or call 301-809-3032 for assistance.

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canaryatlaw · 6 years

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alright. so today. it went well overall I guess, I’ll get through it. My alarm went off at 8, I was out the door by 8:30, made it to school by 9:30 (it literally takes exactly an hour to get from my apartment to school, which is convenient for time planning purposes) and dropped my stuff in the PAD office and hung out for a few minutes before heading up to my exit interview at 9:45. Basically the deal is they have to collect info about job plans post-graduation for the ABA before graduation, and then again in 10 months from now. So I said I had nothing permanent lined up at the moment, but had some opportunities that could lead somewhere. I mentioned the tech company and he was like “oh yeah, I’m actually familiar with them” and he said he’s found a lot of public interest students actually go on to work with regulations and they end up really liking it, so I found that encouraging because my greatest worry about that job would be that I’d hate it. And they wanted to make sure we know we could hit them up for help with jobs at any point in the future, so that was nice. I got a little yellow paper slip stating I completed my exit interview so I can pick up my cap and gown next week (nice little incentivizing there on their part) and then I was done. I went back to the PAD office to grab my laptop and headed over to the library to get some printing done. We always got like, $75 dollars or something each semester in printing credit, when it’s like 10 cents a page, and I knew I had a lot of money left so I thought printing this 94 page outline would spend most of it- nope, I still had $190 left in my printing account. Shame I can’t repurpose that money, but oh well. I printed the outline, used the 3 hole punch (they have the super heavy duty one that can do like 50 pages at a time) then headed back to the PAD office, where I spent a while integrating the outline with the case briefs I had already printed out, because the outline was almost entirely case briefs, so I would find where a case was in my case briefs, then put where it was in the outline as the next page. I think it worked pretty well, it made it a little harder to flip through, but it was definitely easier then having to flip back and forth between the two of them. and yeah, I more or less killed time after that until around noon, where I went to the little market place that moved in next door to the school where I’d been getting salads from, but they had Italian food on their hot bar today, and well, needless to say I did not get a salad. Opted instead for cheesy garlic bread (YUM) and stuffed shells. I was a little disappointed in the stuffed shells because the filling was a bit too salty for my taste, but I still definitely enjoyed them. At 1 I headed upstairs to where my final was gonna be held starting at 1:30. People were milling in and out, trying to set things up and such. We can do the tests on our computers, but we have to use this exam software that shuts down every other application on your computer so you can’t leave the actual test. But yeah, we get ready, I’m feeling pretty good, and when the time comes we start. It was all essays, which is like, what I’m best at, so that was good, except I apparently really fucked myself over because I forgot to print out the cases that were posted on the class website and not in the book, and guess what? Literally all of the cases brought up in the test questions were ones from the website. every. single. one. And I was basically like, well fuck, but there’s not much I can do about it now, and I at least still have the case briefs on them, so we’ll work from those. I did almost have a heart attack for like 30 seconds because there were two cases we read that started with the same plaintiff name (and it was like, a long title) and I accidentally was looking at the wrong one first, but then I realized it was the other one and it wasn’t in the book and for a minute I thought I had no case briefs or anything on the case and I was legit going to drop dead on the spot, I was so stressed. I briefly considered just writing a note at the top of my answer like “so I didn’t have any information on this case, so I’m answering the question based on the other case with this plaintiff” because I feel like my prof would be the type to basically be like okay cool and grade it from there, probably with some point penalty, but he wouldn't just write it off completely. But thankfully I was able to find the case briefs on the case and managed to write a semi-decent essay, it was hard because I didn’t have many details to go off of, so that was kind of rough. The second question was somewhat more in my wheelhouse, it didn’t involve a specific case but instead a hypo and what claims could be brought from that, so that was easy for me to analyze and draw a case comparison to. One part was like “list any other alternate claims she might be able to bring” which is of course a big give away that there are other claims, and I picked up that in a “throwaway” line in the prompt it dropped that they received federal funding, which made them liable under Title VI as well as Title VII, so I felt good about spotting that. This was also the question about retaliation, which is what I know really well from real life experiences, so that was definitely my strongest answer. Questions 3 and 4 were shorter, worth half as much as 1 and 2. I didn’t have the cases they were based on, so my answer to question 3 was kinda short but I was able to extrapolate a fairly good answer for question 4. I finished up at 4, so with half an hour left. I started editing, and I knew I wasn’t happy with the case illustration I used for the first question, so I went back and found a more analogous case that I was much more satisfied with. So I checked it over again and then I was done. I was kinda irritated because I knew I could’ve done better had I been fully prepared, but at the same time I knew they were still solid answers, I may just get an A- instead of an A (which will drive me nuts, but it’s not like it really matters at this point). So I turned it in, left the classroom and legit dumped my 150 pages of outline and case briefs in the recycling bin they have in the hallway lol because I had no use for it anymore and didn't want to carry the extra weight home. So I started the trip home. it was raining when I left the loop, but by the time I got off the train it was more of a light drizzle so it was already for my walk the rest of the way home. I stopped at the ice cream shop and got a scoop of cotton candy ice cream (I love that shit) in a sugar cone, then kept heading home. Upon getting home I just dropped everything and laid on my bed for like, 10 minutes, which felt very good lol. I didn't want to do any more studying for the day because I was pretty academically exhausted, so I sat in the living room/den (whatever we’re calling it) and watched more of A Series of Unfortunate Events before Riverdale was on, simply because I really didn’t have anything else to watch, not that I’ve particularly been enjoying it. At 7 I turned on Riverdale, and I really don’t know why I keep watching this dumb show, it’s so overdramatic and ridiculous, and yet it is somehow enjoyable. After that episode I had an hour to kill before Designated Survivor was on, and I had asked for comedy suggestions on twitter, so I turned on The Good Place and watched two episodes of that, which was highly enjoyable. Designated Survivor.....wasn’t my favorite episode. I’m VERY glad my girl Andrea is not the traitor here who’s gonna be brought up on like, international treason charges for obvious reasons because I really thought that that was where they were going with it, but then I was still sad when they basically wrote her off anyway. As far as the main plot, I am so over Michael J Fox and his literally one character he can play, like legit his role on this show is the same. exact. thing. as his role on The Good Wife, and he was annoying AF there and is still annoying AF here. Idk why they feel the need to keep bringing him back. It was nice at least to see him get humbled a bit in the end there though. Then there’s Hannah, my girl!!! What was going on with the ladies tonight, are we losing Andrea and Hannah in the same episode??? Like what the hell is going on with that??? I very much hope that both of them return at some point. After the show I watched the news for a little bit, then started getting ready for bed and now here I am. Tomorrow I have PT at 12:30, then probably studying for either Remedies or attempting to teach myself the entire Secured Transactions curriculum over the next week, which sounds ridiculous for sure but I am fairly confident I can actually do it, did it first year with property and last semester with bus orgs, so 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m not really concerned. So yeah, we’ll see how that goes. It’s almost 1 am so I guess I should bit you all goodnight for the time being. Goodnight babes. Stay wonderful.

#daily journal #May 2018 #IT'S GONNA BE MAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

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tipsycad147 · 5 years

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How to use songs and chants in Pagan ritual

Posted by Michelle Gruben on Feb 07, 2016

Group singing can truly elevate a public ritual--raising energy, setting the mood, and bringing people together in a profound way. But it can also be a major pitfall. Most people get nervous about singing in public, and a bad musical number can wreck an otherwise well-planned ritual.

The decision to include music in your Pagan ritual is a great gamble—the risks are real, but the payoff can be worth it. The seven tips in this article will help you maximise participation and impact when presenting music as part of your open rituals.

Keep it simple.

Don’t overestimate the ability of a group to learn a chant or carry a tune. Remember that people will be nervous, distracted, and quite possibly surrounded by more energy than they’re used to feeling.

In my experience, a couple of lines of rhyme or a simple four-line melody is the most you should expect the average crowd to manage on the first pass. Harmonies, rounds, and call-and-response songs can be beautiful, but they rarely work at open Pagan rituals. Save the more complex arrangements for the musically inclined.

One or two songs is usually enough for a public ritual—more than that, and you risk losing the attention of the non-singers. You can sing a song to cast the circle or to open it. You can sing in the Elements or sing them away. A song can celebrate a holiday, honour a season, toast the company or the Gods. You can sing for healing or blessing, greetings or farewells. Choose a couple of these options, but don’t try to cram all of them into one ritual.

For best results, tailor your song selection to your crowd. Of course, there’s no way to know who will show up at your public ritual—but past gatherings should give you a good idea. The more children, nervous newbies, and take-along spouses appear, the less likely you’ll have 100% participation—and that’s okay. (See the Rule of Thirds.)

Use the Rule of Thirds.

Next time you’re at a public ritual and it seems to going well, look around the room and take a quick head count. At least one third of the participants will be actively engaged in all the ritual activities—participating fully and sending energy where it’s needed. Another third will be slightly less focused, but basically in harmony with the direction of the ritual. And up to a third will be fidgeting, whispering among themselves, uncomfortable, or otherwise distracted. Even so, the momentum of the ritual is enough to keep everything moving along.

When applied to singing in ritual, the Rule of Thirds is this: You really only need about a third of the crowd to sing in order to reach a good volume and keep the energy flowing.

One third of the gathering is singing their hearts out. One third is more reserved, but along for the ride--they’re mouthing the words, humming the chorus, or following along on paper. One third is making paper airplanes out of their song sheets. (But who needs ‘em?)

As a ritual leader, this is an easy formula for success. Just work up some quick ratios. If there are five members of your coven and you’re expecting ten guests, you can carry the song yourselves. If you’re expecting a total of thirty, then you’re going to need the help of about five other attendees.

Tailor your song selection and timing so you can gather that critical third. Here are two other factors to keep in mind:

The more familiar the song or chant, the more people will be willing to sing. Original music can be a real treat in circle, but if your ratio is in danger, choose something well-known. If you do introduce a new song, consider leading or following with a golden oldie.

It’s harder to open a circle with a song than close with one. At the beginning of a ritual, people tend to be more jittery, uncertain, and energetically closed-off. By the end, folks are more at ease with each other. An opening song is a powerful ice-breaker, but the ritual team has to have the muscle to push through that nervous inertia.

Be confident.

Everyone in your ritual team should know the song(s) well and be willing to participate in boosting the music. (No exceptions!) Attendees will be looking at your group members to lead them. Nothing will derail the effort faster than ritualists stumbling over the words or appearing hesitant to sing in public. If you won’t risk looking silly, why should they? Where members of your group have reservations about singing, you should seriously reconsider the use of song in your public ritual.

Group songs work best if you designate a Song Leader in advance. This does not have to be the High Priest or High Priestess or the personal leading the main ritual. (But it helps if it’s the group member with the strongest singing voice.) The Song Leader will set the starting pitch and signal the song’s triumphant end. They will carry the melody if it lags. They will bully, goad, and (hopefully) inspire total strangers into singing together—all without coming across as a choirmaster or diva. It’s a tough job—make sure your Song Leader has plenty of love and encouragement!

Try to distribute your singers evenly around the circle instead of concentrating them in one area. If you place ritualists in each of the four Quarters, they can do double duty as song guides. Nobody cares about technical skill—be loud, proud, and joyful, and your energy will be contagious.

Come prepared.

Once you’ve practised the song with the ritual team, think about what items you will need to present it to a group. This could include musical instruments, song sheets—even a microphone and speakers for very large public rituals. Perhaps you’d like to add a drum to keep the beat, or a chime to signal the start or end of the song? Practice these elements beforehand so things are seamless during the ritual.

In rituals that are open to the public, printed song sheets are the norm. Only a scant percentage of people can read musical notation—just the words is fine. Besides the lyrics, you can add musical directions or pronunciation notes (“Repeat chorus twice” or “Sung to the tune of ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat.’”) Some participants will read over the song and notes before the ritual starts—but don’t assume everyone will prepare.

If you opt for song sheets, make sure that you bring enough and that the font is easy to read. (Even in low light or candlelight.) It’s best to pass these out before ritual so participants can have a look and ask questions--but not too early, or people will set them down and lose them.

Song sheets are a lifeline, but can also be an awkward encumbrance. Will participants be asked to join hands, handle ritual items, or partake of cakes and ale? Plan ahead so people aren’t fumbling throughout the ritual. Guests will also want to know what to do with their paper when the rite is finished, so designate a person to collect them or have a recycle bin handy.

Get helpers.

Before the ritual, mingle with some of the early birds. (You did show up early, right?) Let ‘em know that the main ritual includes a song, and you’d love them to aid in singing and getting others to sing. This is probably the single best way to boost participation with an unfamiliar group.

Most gatherings of people will have at least a few with strong singing voices. You’ll want their help--and to make sure they’re not drowning your team out with the wrong lyrics or melody. Rehearse the song with your helpers a couple of times, working through any unfamiliar words or tricky bits.

Brief the crowd.

The circle is cast and now it’s time to sing! The ritualists should now instruct the crowd, explicitly asking them to participate in singing. (Otherwise, they might assume they’re not supposed to.)

The main ritualist now gives the name of the song, how many times it will be sung, and any other relevant info. Feel free to credit the song authors or musicians, but keep it focused on the group. The vibe should be like a singalong, not a recital.

“We will now finish the ritual by singing a song three times through. The song is 'We All Come From the Goddess'. Please sing along if you know it, or as soon as you’re able to join in. Our friend Dragon OakBreath will be leading us with a drumbeat.”

If musicians or a Song Leader have been designated, the main ritualist should pause for a breath and allow the group’s energy and attention to be re-directed before the song begins.

Let it fly.

This is the moment of truth. Tentative at first, the melody builds into a slow and steady chorus. The Song Leader gathers up the stray voices and weaves them into a beautiful, coherent whole. As the last note fades, hearts are filled, nerves are soothed, and the circle breathes a collective “whew!” Bless the singers with a wave of gratitude—but don’t start talking or clapping just yet. The afterglow is often the best part.

Hooray! You did it! You successfully incorporated music into a public ritual—something that would make lesser men and women shake in their boots. Okay, so I’ve never heard a random bunch of Pagans sound anything like a good church choir—but hey, we drink more and practice less!

https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/115049223-how-to-use-music-in-pagan-ritual-seven-tips-for-successful-songs-and-chants

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