[Callers] Re: tune names

Hi all, One of the things that we started doing during the virtual/Zoom dances that happened throughout the pandemic was having the band themselves announce the tune name. Dancers loved it, and it helped them feel more connected with the band (which was particularly important in that setting, as dancers donated directly to the band.) It was one of the things I've attempted to carry back over to the live setting, and I've had very positive feedback on doing so. The key is to still keep that transition tight, from the end of the walk through to starting the dance. I announce the dance name and choreographer as a fluid transition into the start of the dance, so it's not "eating up time." And the bands I've worked with usually only say a few words, unless the tune is particularly special. When I can, I note down the tune name so I can repeat it at the end of the dance as the applause subsides, along the lines of "That was DANCE NAME by CHOREOGRAPHER, and that (beautiful/fun/energetic) tune was TUNE NAME." Often people are more interested in names of things after they've heard it or experienced it - especially other callers - so it's valuable to share names of things when finished, as well. Cheers! Drew