Country Dance & Song Society > Resources > Audience > Callers

Category: Callers

A concise summary of what to considerations when calling a contra dance from preparation through the dance.

From Peter Amidon

Some great calling tips from Douglas A. Singleton especially for newer callers.

From CDSS News

Village Green English Country Dancers ECD Manual

This manual describes in detail figures, formations, and steps in English country dancing. It also includes descriptions of common difficulties in executing steps and figures.

From Village Green English Country Dancers

New Mexico Callers Collective Handbook

This resource outlines a number of considerations for callers and callers collectives. This includes having a growth mindset, how to give feedback, how to prepare for calling, teaching a beginner lesson, how to cover when a dance breaks down, rolling starts, and so much more. The resource touches upon calling both contra and square dances although many of the ideas are likely applicable to most calling situations.

From Erik Erhardt

Contra Calling Basics

This how-to is for those interested in learning to call contra dances. The resource assumes that you have experience dancing contra dances (i.e. you know the basic figures well enough to explain them to others), but that you are calling for and teaching a group of dancers that includes a sizable portion of beginners.

From CDSS

Traditional Music Today Facebook Group

This Facebook group “attempts to be a safe(r) space to discuss traditional music, culture and our lives as members of it.”

GEMS: The Best of The Country Dance and Song Society Diamond Jubilee Music, Dance and Song Contest

This online collection contains American (e.g., contra, mixer, triplet) dances, English dances (with music), tunes, and songs composed by the country dance and song community.

From CDSS

Childgrove Dance Video Archives

This website, hosted by the Childgrove Country Dancers, hold a wide range of videos of contra dances, English country dances, morris dances, and square dances. They are organized by dance title for easy reference by callers, musicians, and dance leaders.