Country Dance and Song Society English Dance Leaders Training in Music at Pinewoods June 26 - July 3, 2003

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English Dance Leaders Training in Music at Pinewoods June 26 - July 3, 2003 Program Director: Gene Murrow
Tentative Schedule: [Back to Top]
7:45 - 8:15	Breakfast
8:30 - 8:50	Morning warm-ups for all
9:00 - 10:30	Morning Instrument Class
11:00- 12:00	Morning Dance class
12:00 - 12:30	Break, swimming, etc.
12:30	Lunch
2:00 - 3:15	Afternoon Seminar
3:30 - 4:45	Open Mic dance class with you calling
5:00 - 5:30	Teatime
5:30 - 6:30	Free time
6:30	Dinner
7:45	Mini-lectures
8:15	Community Dance Party
9:45 - 11:00	Special Events

Program Description: [Back to Top]

English Dance Leaders Training in Music is an intensive course designed to meet the needs of English country dance teachers with some calling experience who feel constrained by their lack of formal musical training. This year's course has been expanded with an additional time period devoted to actual practice calling. Music is of paramount importance in English dance especially with the long-standing tradition of using live music whenever possible. In this course, the goal is to convey the knowledge and tools necessary to understand the relationship of dance and music more fully, to plan superior programs and to communicate with musicians more effectively to produce music that is danceable, appropriate and enjoyable for all.

Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:

1. determine the structure, meter and rhythmic character of an English dance tune from the printed music alone and be able to "doodle" at least a reasonable facsimile of the tune;
2. properly align the movements described in the printed dance directions with the music;
3. determine the correct tempo for the music and communicate it effectively to the musicians;
4. determine the correct character of the music, based on the dance and appropriate historical context, and communicate these elements effectively to the musicians;
5. properly coordinate the mechanical elements of teaching and prompting dances to live music;
6. design a program of English dancing that reflects important musical, as well as choreographic, considerations;
7. play very simple dance tunes on the recorder and be able to progress further on the recorder with the aid of a teacher or through self-instruction;
8. oversee the engagement and direction of musicians for a class, dance party or ball in a manner that produces enjoyment and satisfaction for the dancers and musicians alike.

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]

Held during Early Music Week at Pinewoods Camp in order to share the fabulous musical resources of that program, we use their timetable for our sessions, as follows:

Morning Instrument Class (1.5 hours): The classes in reading music and playing the recorder are a key to the success of the course for those leaders who do not play an instrument at all. The recorder is an ideal instrument for adult beginners. It has a long history dating back to the Renaissance, and a varied repertory of folk and art music. Yet it is possible to learn to play fairly well very quickly. The class is geared to people with no musical experience, or long-forgotten musical training from childhood and will focus on the rudiments of music (how to read music, the basics of rhythm, pitch, etc.). If you already have some facility on an instrument, you may elect to participate in one of the regular instrumental classes.

Morning Dance Class (1 hour): Early Music Week runs three English dance classes simultaneously. Participants in the course will help in these sessions as "angels" and careful observers.

Afternoon Seminar (1.25 hours): This is the core of our program, based on a Resource Guide containing numerous articles, examples and exercises by various authors. In a supportive atmosphere among peers, we will use the Resource Guide as a basis for presentations, exercises and discussions. We will cover such topics as musical vocabulary, the styles of English dance music, the historical context of the music, identifying the important musical characteristics of dances (meter, tempo, style, etc.), musical challenges presented by particular dances, planning a strong program, communicating with dance musicians, etc. Part of each session will also be devoted to preparing for the evening's dance party.

Open Mic (1.25 hours): This is a chance for you to call with Peter Barnes and others playing. The class is open to dancers from the full Early Music Week community and may include both experienced and novice dancers. Gene will be there to offer feedback and support.

Community Dance Party (1.5 - 2 hours): We'll plan the evening program together, with special attention to musical as well as dance program issues. You will have an opportunity to present several dances during the week.

Materials: [Back to Top]
All necessary materials may be ordered with your confirmation of registration and ordered items will be sent to you in advance of the week. These include:

1. the Resource Guide
2. an inexpensive but high quality recorder
3. a method book (The Recorder Guide by Johanna E. Kulbach and Arthur Nitka)
4. a musical reference guide (Learn to Read Music by Howard Shanet)
5. The Barnes Book of English Country Dance Tunes (revised edition)
6. a "credit card"-sized metronome.

Total cost of materials is approximately $50-$60. If you are applying for scholarship aid, a special fund is being made available to cover the purchase cost of these items. If you already own a recorder, other instrument or any of the books, do bring them.

Registration: [Back to Top]
The registration deadline for this course is March 17. If it is oversubscribed on the 17th, there will be a lottery. This course is limited to eight participants to ensure plenty of opportunity for active participation. Scholarships are available.

Program Description Tentative Schedule Registration 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

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