Sky Shanties: A History of The Rhapsodists

The boy looked strong, his body chiseled and acclimated to labor. I wasn't sure how I felt about him calling me 'ma'am.' It was polite, but implied an age that stood well over a decade ahead of me. He looked the part, but to fly aboard The Woman in Red, you needed to prove yourself.
"Ambrose Fitzgerald Pierce?" I asked, "May I call you Fittz, or perhaps Pierce?"
"Yes, ma'am. Either, If you wish," he began, "who am I to deny a Barron?'"
"I like my crew to speak freely. If you object, I should know."
He took a breath, pondered his words carefully, and his response made me laugh, "My mother called me Rosey. Honestly, Fitz is fine."
"Well Fitz," I began, " I see no reason to say no, but I'll have to give you a little test."
He cocked his head, "Yes, ma'am. Whatever you need. Will there be heavy lifting?"
"This may sound odd," I said, smiling, "but how's your singing?"

— The Journals of Cortney Clarke

Before Airships came about, making the trek across vast oceans took time. Crews needed ways of staying busy, or at least maintaining sanity. They needed a way to make the work more pleasant or keep in time when rowing or working the vessel. Thus came the sea shanty.
Sea Shanties were work songs sung on seafaring vessels. When these vessels took to the skies, these songs would follow. They changed in many ways, adapting to the shorter travel time and differences in work. This work was easier and lacked the constant maintenance of seafaring ships.
Sky Shanties helped create a culture around these songs, which included folk songs and original compositions by those who performed. These men and women were pampered and revered by both captain and crew. Collectively referred to as Rhapsodists, their dedication to entertainment became essential for life aboard an airship and did more than brighten one's day. They changed lives, forming an organization that commands power and respect.

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Shift In Focus

The first Rhapsodist is a matter of debate. The term wouldn't be used for many years, the profession already established before an organization formed. Some claim that no one was the first. The transition from sea to sky ensured this, but others say the shift from work songs to a form of entertainment, art, and skill implies there must be a first. They claim that, the first true Rhapsodist was Jenny Lind. In 1847, the famous opera singer performed in Bellini's La Sonnambula on The Parable, an American cruise ship. It stands as the first ever operatic performance aboard an airship. Lind performed on airships many times in the years that came after.
Most who knew of this event realized how profitable it could be, and sought to follow the example. Not all airships could afford such a performance, nor could they retain the same level of reputable talent. They hired many unknown musicians and singers to fill the void, entertaining both passengers and crew during a voyage.
This made taking on passengers for one way trips easier. It also paved the way for social reforms, equality between race and the sexes, and some would claim Rhapsodists had a military application as well.

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Digging Deeper: The Aether Man's Song

With the rise in Quantum harvesting, an adaptation of a popular work song, "Lord, save us miners," rotated between Rhapsodists in a time when workplace safety took a back seat, if it was cared about at all. The dark tone of the original depicted the horrors of working in coal mines, as well as various other similar fields.
After The Black Riots, these industries died off. The workers had to move on, eventually moving the song to the quantum fields where Aether was harvested. The lyrics changed to reflect the dangers of the profession, and the Rhapsodists took notice.
As the song circulated among them, particularly aboard ships that use Aether as fuel, members of high society began to question the ethical ramifications of such condition. Change would come when the strongly worded correspondence between a wealthy investor of The Skyway Mining Company demanded it. The letters began when the concerned investor asked about the song's origin from a performer aboard the French destroyer, The D'Artagnan

The Development of A New Profession

Initially, being a performer was more of a hobby than anything else. These performers pulled double-duty during this time, usually spending their nights entertaining and their days working one of the many jobs on an airship.
This changed as music did. Composers would hire musicians with airship experience when beginning a tour of the skies, filling their orchestras with those who are more accustomed to playing in the sky. The swaying of the vessel in a high wind as well as the potential for playing through a storm all contributed to this decision.
Rhapsodists feared being forced to choose between their duties on an airship, or the duties they owed to their fellow musicians. There was little time to practice and this would need to change to adapt to more complex pieces, original works, and of course, a growing reputation.

Reputation and Unionization

Many refused a job on a vessel if it involved double-duty outside of combat. While most captains were accommodating, if performers lacked a reputation, they often lost their jobs. Others were never hired because the captain perceived the request as laziness.

These performers spoke frequently. They exchanged songs, swapped stories, and collaborated on performances of various types that stemmed beyond music like theater and "personality acts." (See sidebar.)
In the year 1873, Rhapsodists unified, using their reputation as ammunition. With the help of The Sky Barrons, they established an organization for representing Rhapsodists, finding yhem work, and ensureing they were compensated and respected. If one didn't comply, they would face the wrath of the Barrons. The organization was called, The Rhapsodist Society, and was the first time the term "Rhapsodist" was used.

Personality Acts

A Personality Act doesn't need a composition worked through a dozen times to perfection. Personality Acts are performances designed to showcase the personality of the performer. Improvised Dance, Jam sessions, musical duals with other musicians, the beginnings of stand-up comedy, storytelling, and forms of public speaking are all considered personality acts. It helped those with a reputation act as a force of change, raising awareness and taking a stance on various issues of their time.

Equality

"When I'm playing the horn onstage, I'm not just an equal. I'm the center of attention, the producer of joy through skill and dedication. I get to forget my color and feel what it's like to be respected. It almost feels like I'm above them, even if only for a moment. Maybe that's why the stage is always higher than the crowd."

— Joseph Cleaver

Women were a common sight on Airships, and were encouraged to join airship crews. Having various performers aboard your ship will guarantee a performer to suit every taste. While this represents a profound statement of equality, it isn't the strongest.
America is not the same, no longer a nation but a region governed by The Pauper Kings. There are still areas of America where slavery is prominent, and racism is a common truth for those of African American, Chinese, and any ethnic minority. Even the Irish experienced racism like violent crimes, especially those who migrated to New York City during the potato famine. This continued until a Skyfall event created The Erin Reef.
Becoming a Rhapsodist gave a chance to share one's culture, and experience something new. Foreign Rhapsodists were in high demand, as many captains desired exotic and more unique performers to help them stand out. Playing unique instruments, or knowing another language gives an advantage. Being from another country was even better.

Rhapsodists in the military

In 1877, the first combat focused Rhapsodist unit was established aboard The Galahad. Through the use of Quantum Keys, the band projected their music across the battlefield. Initially, this was to bolster morale of English soldiers, but after aquiring a Key Of Chorus, they could alter and distort sound. The same tactic was used by spies when having secret conversations.
Those who engaged The Galahad would be distracted or disoriented by the music, comparing it to nails on a chaulkboard while British soldiers heard patriotic tunes from home. The sounds could also damage or wear out enemy vessels, vibrating the hull and causing loose rivets, faulty weapons, and cracking wood. These tactics were adopted by many who waged war in the sky, and found themselves lucky enough to possess a Key of Chorus.
The group of Rhapsodists that first used this tactic called themselves The Round Table, and consisted of 12 members. Each member knew how to play a variety of instruments, from bagpipes to tin wistles and drums.

Quantum Keys

The rise of Rhapsodists occurred roughly around the same time The Locksmith and The Watchmaker were making their mark on the world through Quantum Keys, keys that can grant unusual abilities to the one using them. These performers added an extra sense of wonder to their performance, as well as protected themselves in dangerous situations.
They searched for keys that would enhance their skills. There was a rumored storyteller from Africa who possessed a key that manifested illusions, allowing him to not only tell the story, but illustrate it. Another possessed a key that would carry the sound through the vessel, allowing their songs to reach everyone aboard as if they sat in the front row. These keys are rare, and unless one is creative, not much use for anything else.
Rhapsodists are still willing to pay a fortune merely to add to their performance, but remain cautious when using the keys. They remain an enigma among many of the common people who travel the world.