Program: English Dance Musicians' Course
We offer an English Dance Musicians’ Course led by Shira Kammen. The program is funded in part by the Chuck Ward Fund for Musicians' Training of the Country Dance and Song Society. The course is limited to twelve musicians to provide a lot of individual attention.
English dance music can use skills from a variety of musical backgrounds—contra, classical (especially chamber music), jazz, even choral part singing. This course will give you the tools to take what you already know and transform it into music that enhances English dancing. Regardless of the type of music you've been used to playing, if you have command of your instrument, can parse written music, and are willing to devote three hours a day to this effort for the week, you will emerge a better and more sensitive dance musician.
You will spend the whole morning with Shira. The course will contain practical musical theory, demonstrations, instruction in arranging, and intensive work in small groups, supervised and unsupervised.
After lunch, during period three, you will take a class in English country dance--either one for advanced dancers or an ECD core curriculum. Fourth period, you have your choice of another ECD class, a band workshop open to the whole camp, longsword, improv comedy, practicing on your own, or relaxing.
Stage time (to practice what you've learned in a real dance setting) can be arranged depending on its availability and your interest and skill. One such time is the last class period of the day, an open mic for callers, musicians, and dancers. This will be a chance for you to play for dancing as well as get more experience on the dance floor. Thursday night is Campers' Night, when staff gets to dance and the campers provide the music and calling for the evening's dance.
Application
To apply, submit one of the Hey Days registration forms from the registration page (a PDF to print and mail or an online form) or use the registration form in the brochure. Check the box that indicates you are applying for the Musicians' Course (and let us know if you still want to attend Hey Days even if you are not accepted to the Musicians' Course). If you need a scholarship, check the appropriate scholarship boxes on the Heys Days registration form. For more information on scholarships, click here.
And use the online Musicians' Course application or print this PDF Musicians' Course application, fill it out and mail it with your registration form.
Regardless of application method, make sure to send a deposit.
Other Music Offerings at Hey Days
Musicians not enrolled in this course will have a number of other music workshops to choose from. Check out the schedule and class descriptions for more information.