Can you describe the rough spots?
Several suggestions:
1) Two to four weeks of so before the dance email them some resources about
playing for contra dance
Example resources (found with a Google search-- What makes a good
tune for a contra dance?)
https://cdss.org/wp-content/uploads/resources/CDSS-The-Basics-of-Playing-for-Contras.pdf
http://www.tallydancer.com/SuggestedBasicCriteriaForBandsPlayingAContraDance.pdf
2) Find 3-5 good for contra tunes, send them recordings of them an if
needed the sheet music.
Ask them to practice them for the dance
3) After reading the material Have them select 5-7 dances in their
repertoire they would like them to pla
and listen to a record or video of them, suggesting which ones
might not work well
4) Meet with them for a practice within a week a two (or maybe even an hour
or so)before the dance
On Wed, Feb 19, 2025 at 1:46 AM Joseph Erhard-Hudson via Contra Callers <
[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I live in a relatively isolated community in the contra dance world. To
> the extent we have a house caller it's me. We are trying to foster and
> develop new callers, but you gotta have bands too. So,
> I'd welcome your thoughts on working with new bands.
>
> My motive for asking is, a couple of times in the last year we have had
> new bands come play for our monthly dance. One was a blue-grassey country
> band. Another was a family group playing predominantly Irish tunes. Their
> musical skills were fine and their repertoire was serviceable, and they did
> okay, but there were definitely some rough spots.
>
> New musical talent is a valuable commodity for us, and I want to set them
> up for success. So, how would you approach this? I'd especially love to
> hear from folks who have done this sort of thing before, but all thoughts
> are welcome.
>
> Joseph Erhard-Hudson
> Moscow, Idaho, USA
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