Forgotten Histories of Singing at Work

You may have heard of the songs known as “sea chanties,” but did you know that these historical songs were intended for and only sung by sailors while working? Despite what you might see presented in movies or read in fiction, chanties were not sung by pirates, nor were they sung in the Navy. Their lyrics are rarely about “the sea,” and they aren’t even very old. So what were chanties? Where did they come from, and when and by whom were they sung? Moreover, what did they sound like and how did they actually function? Why are they sung by sailors no more?

In the Spring 2017 course, “American Maritime Musical Worlds” (PO MUS 74), students have explored these questions to gain insight into America’s lesser-known musical histories and maritime culture. Yet, some questions cannot be answered solely through text-based research. To acquire experience-based understanding, a group of Claremont students and faculty recently set sail aboard a traditional-style ship in the Port of Los Angeles, where they tested the efficacy of the forgotten chanties in a saltier, practical context.

In this Hive workshop, project collaborators will share insights from their experience, while inviting guests to participate in the composition of chanties and simulating the technique of singing at work.

———-
ACCESSIBILITY
The Hive is accessible through the entrance facing 7th Street (north entrance), the entrance facing College Ave (west entrance), and the entrance adjacent to Millikan Laboratory and the Cowart ITS building (east entrance). The west entrance can open automatically. For accommodations, please contact the Hive via Facebook message, email (hive@claremont.edu), or phone call (909-607-9248).