A wealth of information on all aspects of calling for ECD, contras, squares, barn dances, and more.
From Colin Hume
Notes on Teaching Country Dance
These notes are distilled from Bruce Hamilton’s workshops on teaching country dances. If you can’t get to a camp or workshop to experience this respected dance leader’s teaching up close, this is the next best thing. Thoughtful, thought-provoking, and challenging to teachers at all levels.
This resource is free for CDSS members and is available for purchase through the CDSS Online Store.
Calling All Callers, Old and New
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
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
All things shape note, provided by the Sacred Harp Musical Heritage Association.
Singalong and Song Circle Locator
Rise Up and Sing provides a list of regular song swap/singalong groups that are open to the general public, organized by geographical location.
From Annie Patterson and Peter Blood
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.”
Sacred Harp Singing Discussion Lists
Two Sacred Harp singing email lists. One focuses on events and individuals while the other focuses on the historical and technical aspects of shape note singing.
From Sacred Harp Musical Heritage Association
Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their generous support.