Bill,

I have been using singing squares at contra dances in southern New England for about 10 years. I must admit that many of these are the smaller dances in CT and on Cape Cod, but I have also done some at the Scout House. Generally, the singing squares are received well, especially on Cape Cod.

My singing square method is a mix of modern and traditional. I often ask the band what singing tune they are comfortable with, and even if I do not know the "traditional" dance, I can prompt most traditional NE squares to fit the tune. Two of my favorites are Tony Parke's Malden Square set to Yankee Doodle Dandy (or any 32 Bar Tune) and Ted Sannella's Dosido and Face the Sides to Hurry, Hurry, Hurry (or any 16 Bar Tune repeated 3 times for each figure).

Here is an example of Tony's Malden Square that was recorded at a club dance. I have called to contra bands many times, bothe with this tune or to a generic reel. I particularly love this square because I can call it almost anywhere. I often replace the Grand Square with Circle Left and then Circle Right.

https://youtu.be/bB16Q348CWA

Rich

(Stafford, CT)

On Sun, Mar 19, 2023 at 10:54 AM Bill Olson via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Hard to know where to jump in here, but I am thrilled we are having this conversation. First of all, many years ago I always used to (incorrectly) quote Tony as having said "when in doubt, call Texas Star". I find that dance accessible for almost any experience level and it's pretty easy to stay on the phrase. It turns out Tony never said that hah hah, but I still love the dance and use it often.. BUT,..

I've been more interested in calling singing squares lately and, though my last experience doing so to a "contra dance crowd" was at Ralph Page in 2020 (just prior to the Covid shutdown) and that's not a typical "contradance crowd' to say the least!! BUT it does bring up the issue of having to coordinate with the band ahead of time because they need to know or learn the tune. (Though I do remember one time at the little Kingston, NH dance when the band was Vince O'Donnell, David Kaynor and Debby Knight and throwing On the Trail of the lonesome Pine and Smoke on the Water at them with no warning and "no problem let's go"! woo hoo..

Anyway I wonder how many are trying singing squares with their 'reluctant' contra dance crowds.

bill

(Oh yeah,.. Tony's book, Ralph's book, Ted's book, David's project... YES!!!!!)

From: Tony Parkes via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 5:48 PM
To: Maia McCormick <maia.mcc@gmail.com>; Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Starting to call squares at contra dances

A resource definitely worth exploring is David Millstone’s Square Dance History Project. I didn’t mention it in my first response because it may not be the easiest place to find specific types of dance video quickly, but it’s a must for anyone who loves squares and has a bit of free time to peruse.

www.squaredancehistory.org

Tony Parkes

Billerica, Mass.

www.hands4.com

New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century

(available now)

From: Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 12:21 PM
To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Starting to call squares at contra dances

After dancing to some of Lisa's Greenleaf's 🔥 squares at Beantown Stomp last weekend, I'm feeling inspired to add some to my repertoire. (To be clear, I'm looking for squares-for-contra-dancers, not MWSD squares.)

Any resources to recommend for someone learning to call squares?
Any advice to share, techniques to look into, things you wish you'd known when starting out / wish contra callers knew about squares?
Suggestions for callers to look up on YouTube (besides Lisa ofc) / fave videos?
Favorite dances that I should add to my box?

Thanks in advance,

Maia

--

Maia McCormick (she/her)

917.279.8194

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