Country Dance and Song Society

American Dance Musicians Course at Pinewoods
August 3 - 10, 2002

As of July 10, there is a short wait list at this week.

Buffalo Gap	Pinewoods			Ogontz
Dance Week Dance Leaders Family	Early Music Folk Music Family	English & American American Musicians English Dance English Musicians	Campers' American Dance Square Callers	New Family Teacher Family

Schedule & Fees

Registration Info

Registration Form

Scholarships

Camplife

American Dance Musicians Course at Pinewoods
August 3 - 10, 2002

Program Director:
Mary Lea

Tentative Schedule: [Back to Top]

9:00 - 10:00

American Dance Musicians Course:
Small Ensembles or Instrument Classes

10:15 - 11:15

American Dance Musicians Course:
Small Ensembles or Instrument Classes

11:25 - 11:55

All Camp Gathering Cis

1:45 - 2:45

Open Mic for Callers and Musicians MCs: Mary D. David D.

Morris: "Minneapolis-on-Charles" Rick

Stories for Fun and a Little Bit More Donald

3:00 - 4:00

English Country Dance for All Philippe

ECD: Go Figure Helene

Advanced English Clog Alex

We All Have Stories Donald

4:05 - 4:25

Tea

4:30 - 5:30

American Dance Musicians Course:
Small Ensembles or Instrument Classes

8:00

Special Dances

8:15

Evening Dance Party

11:00

After-dance Activities

Program Description: [Back to Top]

Look up our Special Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.

This special course is for intermediate and advanced players with experience playing for dances. Participants must be able to play their instruments at dance tempos. An ability to learn music by ear, by music or both is valued. Some music for the course will be provided before camp in cassette format and other music in written form during the classes.

The course is designed and led by Mary Lea, who brings 23 years of experience playing a wide variety of dance music in many ensembles, including Bare Necessities, Yankee Ingenuity, BLT, Orijent Express, Wild Asparagus, Childsplay and a marching samba band. She has taught individual fiddle and band workshops at many different dance and music camps around the country and was program director for two years for American Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods.

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
For two periods every day, Mary Lea will lead an exploration of the intimate relationship between music and dance in American contra dancing. Special attention will be given to playing rhythmically and creating a groove, developing medleys and harmonic interest and exploring what different musical genres (Irish, quebecois, southern old-time, etc.) contribute to the dancing. The group will form small ensembles in order to play for an evening dance. Some time will be spent looking at creative and sensitive ways to address the interpersonal aspect of music-making! Master classes will be held each day during the second period. Dave Wiesler will work with the rhythm players, and Mary will work with the melody instrumentalists. It's possible that other English & American Week staff members will be able to provide special workshops at other times. These can be arranged during the week to meet specific needs.

During free times, participants can choose from among other activities available. Please check the description of English & American Dance Week at Pinewoods for details on the rich and varied program and staff.

Registration: [Back to Top]
The registration deadline for this course is March 18. If it is oversubscribed on the 18th, there will be a lottery. American Dance Musicians Course is limited to 15 people. There will be acoustic pianos, 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.