15 Sep
2013
15 Sep
'13
5:49 p.m.
As a new caller, I've received lots of advice on this topic, and I want to
make sure I've been doing it right.
I generally try to have an arc of difficulty, starting with an easy dance,
getting gradually harder, peaking around the 2nd or 3rd dance after the
break, then ending with a simple dance as a cool-down. The actual
difficulty you start and peak with is dependent on the skill level of your
local dance. I also try to have a few extra options if I find the dancers
on a particular evening are newbie-heavy or experience-heavy. In my
programs, that generally means having an extra dance in the arc, then
skipping either an easy dance early on (if there are not many newbies), or
a harder dance later on (if there are lots of newbies).
I also put all my dance cards next to each other and try to make sure that
I don't put very similar dances consecutively, and that I have a good
variety of figures throughout the evening.
More experienced callers: feel free to tell me if this strategy is good or
bad.
Cheers,
Ben
(Houston, TX)
15 Sep
15 Sep
7:52 p.m.
New subject: How to Devise a Program
On 9/15/2013 11:49 AM, Ben Hornstein wrote:
As a new caller, I've received lots of advice on
this topic, and I want to
make sure I've been doing it right.
I generally try to have an arc of difficulty, starting with an easy dance,
getting gradually harder, peaking around the 2nd or 3rd dance after the
break, then ending with a simple dance as a cool-down. The actual
difficulty you start and peak with is dependent on the skill level of your
local dance. I also try to have a few extra options if I find the dancers
on a particular evening are newbie-heavy or experience-heavy. In my
programs, that generally means having an extra dance in the arc, then
skipping either an easy dance early on (if there are not many newbies), or
a harder dance later on (if there are lots of newbies).
I also put all my dance cards next to each other and try to make sure that
I don't put very similar dances consecutively, and that I have a good
variety of figures throughout the evening.
More experienced callers: feel free to tell me if this strategy is good or
bad.
This sounds like a good plan to me. It is basically what has been
discussed in calling workshops I have attended over the years. Everyone
has a different way of doing things, but starting out with easier
dances, progressing to more challenging and then returning to simpler
dances is a good overall plan. Some callers suggest making each half of
the evening follow this pattern. I usually tend to place the most
challenging dance(s) after the break, but not the first dance after the
break. Some people think the peak should be before the break. Your
mileage may vary. I also like to put a mixer in as the 2nd or 3rd
dance. My thought is that at this point most of the people who are
coming are there, the dancers are warmed up, and it's a good time to get
them mixed around a bit, especially if there are new dancers present. I
also like to plan for a couple of squares and some non-typical formation
dances, such as 4 face 4 or Sicilian circle dances, during the evening
for variety.
Jonathan
-----
Jonathan Sivier
Caller of Contra, English and Early American Dances
jsivier AT illinois DOT edu
Dance Page: http://www.sivier.me/dance_leader.html
-----
Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
A: It depends on what dance you call!
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Jonathan Sivier