Country Dance and Song Society English Dance Musicians Course at Buffalo Gap July 10 - 17, 1999 as of 6-9-99: we are still looking for fiddlers and pianists for this program.

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English Dance Musicians Course at Buffalo Gap July 10 - 17, 1999 Program Director: Laurie Andres
Tentative Schedule: [Back to Top]
9:00 - 10:00
English Dance Musicians Course: Small Ensembles or Instrument Classes
10:15 - 11:15
English for Experts	Helene Cornelius
English Dancing for Poets	Scott Higgs
11:30 - 12:15
Camp Gathering	Alisa Dodson
2:00 - 3:00
English Dance Musicians Course: Small Ensembles or Instrument Classes
3:15 - 4:15
English Dance Musicians Course: Small Ensembles or Instrument Classes
4:30 - 5:15
Couple Dance Playshop	Scott Higgs
Free time for dancing, jamming, napping, partying, swimming ...
8:00
Couple Dances
8:15
Evening Dance Party
11:00
After-dance refreshments Late-night parties (camper initiated)

Program Description: [Back to Top]
This special course is being repeated for intermediate and advanced players with experience playing for dances. Last year's participants gave the program rave reviews.

Join a group of enthusiastic and dedicated musicians for a weeklong course of English country dance music. Our objectives for the week will be to play with phrasing, danceability, expression and gusto, coupled with an awareness of and sensitivity to your fellow musicians, the caller and the dancers. We will examine and probe phrasing, rhythm, ornamentation, improvisation, arrangement and orchestration. We will also delve into the mechanics of performing with other musicians and callers and the historical and social background to the music and dance from 1651 to the present. To help translate theory into practice, we will break into smaller ensembles which provide a more realistic band experience. Participants must be able to play their instruments at dance tempos. An ability to read music is helpful, but not required.

The course, held concurrently with Dance Week at Buffalo Gap, is designed and led by Laurie Andres who has been playing jubilantly danceable music on the piano and piano accordion for English country, contra, square and morris dancing since 1976. He has been on the staff at Buffalo Gap, Pinewoods and many other music and dance festivals since 1980.

For two periods every day, Laurie Andres will lead an exploration of the intimate relationship between music and dance in English country dancing.

Master classes on individual instruments will fill a third period, the time of which will vary from day to day. They will draw on the talent and experience of the tiptop musicians at Dance Week at Buffalo Gap.

As dancing can only serve to enhance one's playing, participants will be free (and encouraged) to dance during the morning graded English classes and at the evening dance parties. The schedule also allows participation in the full range of camp activities and social events, from singing to swimming to saunas. Please check the description of Dance Week at Buffalo Gap for details on the rich and varied program and staff. There will be limited opportunities to play at the programmed evening dance parties, but playing at informal, camper-instigated dances and music sessions during free periods is encouraged.

Registration: [Back to Top]
English Dance Musicians Course is limited to 15 people to ensure ample opportunity for active participation. There will be an acoustic piano, but piano players are encouraged to bring an electric keyboard with headphones. We will attempt to keep a balance between melody players and accompanists. Scholarships are available; please check the appropriate box on the Registration Form.

Program Description Tentative Schedule Top

413-268-7426 FAX: 413-268-7471

Country Dance and Song Society 132 Main St/PO Box 338 Haydenville, MA 01039-0338 Office Hours M-F 9:30am - 5:00pm EST

http://www.cdss.org/