2011 American Dance Musicians Course
Tentative Schedule
| 7:45-8:15 | Hot Breakfast served cafeteria style |
| 8:15-8:45 | Cold Breakfast Coffee/Tea available |
| 9:00-10:00 |
English Dance (Advanced): Joanna ReinerMusic by: Debbie Jackson, Anne Ogren, Martha Stokely Becoming Aware: This class will explore areas beyond choreography that affect not just what you dance, but how you dance: different musical meters, available dance space, how other dancers on the floor are moving, etc. The goal is to lift your attention beyond the figures and help you make active and reactive choices about your personal dance style. Knowledge of all basic ECD figures is expected. |
Harmony Singing: Suzannah ParkIn this class we will sing in two, three and four part harmony, drawing from many singing traditions including: Appalachian and British ballads, American gospel quartet and shape-note songs. We will also learn songs from the Balkans, Georgia and South African. All singing levels are welcome and all songs and parts will be taught by ear. No sight-reading skills are required. We’ll hoot and holler and enjoy making great music together. If you can talk, you can sing! |
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Harmony in Motion (English for All): Scott HiggsMusic by: Peter Barnes, Bill Tomczak A joyful banquet of favorites, old and new. Selected dances will be accessible to all, yet feature special delights for experienced dancers to savor. Beautiful music will guide every step, courtesy of Peter and Bill. |
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| 10:15-11:15 | American Dance Musicians Course |
| 11:25-11:55 |
Gathering: Carol OrmandJoin Carol, your MC, in a daily extravaganza of camper and staff talent, singing, stories and high jinks. A great way to wind down before lunch and hang out with the whole camp! |
| 11:55-12:30 | Swimming, Bookstore staffed |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 1:45-2:45 | American Dance Musicians Course |
| 3:00-4:00 |
Many Moods of Contra: Scott HiggsMusic by: Eden MacAdam-Somer, Larry Unger Hard-driving and energetic, smooth flowing and romantic, percussive, fluid, playful, time-tested, brand-new, off-the-wall (!) ... we'll explore the full range of delightful contras, with tips to ensure that you (and your partners) enjoy every opportunity for magic and connection. |
Molly Dancing: Sue DupreMusic by: Suzannah Park Just before it was time for 19th century farm workers in East Anglia to return to work in the fields after the Christmas holidays, they got together for one last blow-out celebration, which essentially involved annoying the gentry by dressing in women's clothing, disguising themselves, caricaturing the gentry's English country dances, and getting drunk. Flash ahead to the 21st century where molly dancing has been revived as a colorful form of street theater for both men and women, the latest greatest thing in the world of display dancing. Be prepared for dances with exciting figures and vigorous but simple stepping, in the styles of several molly teams. We’ll spend some time looking at how to create exciting molly choreography. |
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Back Up and Push: Debbie JacksonA hands-on workshop that emphasizes the ‘back up’ role in musical ensembles and bands. Whether you play backup or melody for contras, English or square dancing, we’ll cover chording, chord progressions, chord creation, the use of drones, and new variations to create rhythmic textures. There will be plenty of time for experimentation and practice. Each day will focus on a specific theme. |
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| 4:00-4:20 | Tea |
| 4:30-5:30 |
Borderline English: Joanna ReinerMusic by: Debbie Jackson, Anne Ogren, Martha Stokely Have you ever done a dance and wondered, is this really an English dance? This class will feature genre-bending English dances that borrow ideas, figures and tunes from somewhere else, yet maintain their place in the ECD repertoire. We’ll run the gamut from gentle to energetic, traditional to modern, and everything in-between! |
Rapper: Gillian StewartMusic by: Dave Langford Rapper is fast, furious, and all about the group dynamic. Come learn the basics, trade figures and create a unifying style and a fulfilling dance in a rapper set this week! Class will focus on creating a strong performance in a new grouping of people through attention to movement, dance writing and sheer joy. Wear hard soled dance shoes. |
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Vocal Blast!: Bob WalserHave a blast singing - loud (mostly)! Chorus songs, funny songs, shanties, songs of love, lust and liquor. Harmony encouraged but optional. |
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| 5:30-6:15 | Swimming, Bookstore staffed |
| 6:30 | Dinner |
| 7:45 | Couple Dances |
| 8:00-11:00 | Evening Dance Party |
| 11:00 | After-dance Activities |
August 27 - September 3, 2011
Held during English & American Dance Week at Pinewoods.
Is there still room?
For up-to-date info about availability and wait lists,
see our Program Weeks page.
Program Directors
Eden MacAdam-Somer
Eden MacAdam-Somer is one of the most exciting and versatile young musicians performing and teaching today. Her music transcends genre. She has been a featured soloist with symphony and chamber orchestras, jazz and swing bands, and Eastern European and American folk ensembles. She has been an artist at the Aspen and Beijing International Music Festivals, and, with her contemporary folk duo, NotoriousFolk, has traveled across the continental U.S., and visited Alaska, Hawaii, India, Iceland, the U.K., and Afghanistan. In 2009, Eden was accepted as the first doctoral student of the groundbreaking Contemporary Improvisation department of the New England Conservatory of Music. There, she has pursued explorations of composition and improvisation across genres, including works for solo performer on violin, voice, and dance. In between studies, performances and teaching, Eden maintains an active recording career and continues to tour, beguiling audiences with a style that is truly her own.
Family Week at Pinewoods , CDSS at Timber Ridge
American Dance Musicians Course , English Dance Week at Pinewoods
Larry Unger
Larry Unger has been a prolific tunesmith and full time musician for over 20 years, and probably logs more road miles each year than any other contra dance musician, playing guitar, banjo, piano and bass with numerous bands. Larry's broad musical interests include old-time, blues and swing AND he's a great teacher too.
Program Description
We will work on tunes from a variety of cultures, all of which can be used for contra dancing. We will play familiar tunes and will also learn music by ear, so be sure to bring your recording devices. We'll work both in small groups and as one large ensemble, and will focus on learning to play well in a band, to communicate with band members mid-set, to create harmonies and embellish melodies, to choose tunes for dances, and to use dynamics, articulation, and ornamentation to make the music especially fun to dance to. We're going to spend a lot of time working on melody and harmony, rather than jamming.
The Course meets for two periond: 10:15 and 1:45. For the rest of the day, participants can choose from among the activities available at English & American Dance Week.
Registration
This course is limited to 16 participants to ensure plenty of opportunity for active participation. Participants should be comfortable getting around on their instruments and playing at dance speed, or close to it. If it is oversubscribed on March 21, there will be a lottery, with preference given to musicians more comfortable playing at dance speed. Please clearly indicate if you would like to attend English & American Dance Week, if you did not get a space in the course. Scholarships are available.