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Abstract

This thesis presents a study of English Gypsy Singing in the broader context of contemporary English folksong research and previous English Gypsy song studies. It describes and illustrates Gypsy singers and their respective song performances in the five detail ed case studies of formal and informal contexts. It examines communal engagement in singing and observes that there are three different Singing roles: the Novice, the Participating singer and the Specialist which it considers in relationship to other roles activated during song performances. It gives an account of the way in which Gypsy singing is employed as an enabling device for social bonding, through song performances of the community's Participating and Specialist singers. It further observes that the social constructs which apply to Gypsy singing change according to gender and context. Finally, it considers the songs that Gypsies perform and emphasises that there is no such thing as Gypsy song, rather, it is the song performance, indeed, the whole activity of singing that is specific to Gypsies. English Gypsy singing provides the opportunity to observe community ritual in a vibrant context.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	M Music and Books on Music > M Music
Departments:	School of Communication & Creativity > Performing Arts > Music School of Communication & Creativity > School of Communication & Creativity Doctoral Theses

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