Last week was quite challenging. This week should be a little easier. We have decided to include a dance from the Belleville Ball program - Cadgers in the Cannongate. There are a few in the class going to the workshop and this is a good dance to know.
Beach Dancer
A 32 bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4 couple longwise set
For Margaret Blackhall, a teacher at Kamo Club who lives on the coast at Ngunguru.
Devised by Eddy West 2003.
1-4 First couple set and cross giving right hand.
5-8 First couple set to second couple and change places on the side giving left hands (men remain facing out).
9-16 Second and first couples dance a ladies chain, first man finishes facing out. First couple must continue into the next figure without hesitation.
17-20 First man casts down round third lady and crosses to third place, own side then casts up behind third man to second place, first lady follows to own side third place then dances up the middle to second place on own side.
21-24 First and second ladies, and at the same time first and second men, turn giving left hands.
25-32 Second, first and third couples dance reels of three on the sides, first couple passing third couple right shoulder to start.
Repeat having passed a couple
Suggested recorded music "Over the Pond II" - Sound Company CD "On Track".
Cadgers in the Canongate
RSCDS Book 9 – No. 10
48-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
Bars Description
1 – 8 1st couple dance reels of three, 1st woman with 2nd and 3rd men and 1st man with 2nd and 3rd women. To begin 1st woman crosses down to pass 3rd man by the left and 1st man dances across to partner’s place to pass 2nd woman by the right. 1st couple finish in partner’s original place. (Note 1)
9 – 16 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides. To begin 1st man crosses down to pass 3rd man by the left and 1st woman dances across to original place to pass 2nd woman by the right. 1st couple finish facing 2nd woman.
17 – 18 1st couple, giving nearer hands, set to 2nd woman.
19 – 20 1st couple, with two pas de basque, move round to face 2nd man. (Note 2)
21 – 22 1st couple set to 2nd man.
23 – 24 1st couple, with two pas de basque retire to places.
25 – 28 1st and 2nd couples set, and dance right hands across halfway round.
29 – 32 2nd and 1st couples set, and dance left hands across back to places.
33 – 36 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 35-36.
37 – 40 1st couple, giving left hands, turn one and a half times to finish in second place on own sides.
41 – 48 2nd and 1st couples dance rights and lefts.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Notes:
1. In some areas, on bar 8, 1st woman dances across the top of the set to original place while 1st man dances across from 2nd woman’s place to his original place. To begin the second reels, 1st and 2nd man and 1st and 2nd woman pass by the right.
2. In bars 19-22, 1st couple retain nearer hands throughout.
Walsh’s Caledonian Country Dances, c. 1748.
Original Tune: Cadgers in the Canongate (Walsh’s Caledonian Country Dances c. 1748) but more usually danced to John McNeil’s Reel (Peter Milne).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
1-8 1st cpl finish reel in partner’s place. 1st man dancing short way into place (i.e. no loop).
9-16 1st couple follow partner’s track but finish in middle, 1st woman on her partner’s left.
Miss Milligan’s Strathspey
RSCDS Leaflet — No. 20
(Strathspey)
Music Description
Bars
1 – 4 1st and 2nd couples dance four hands round to finish, 1st couple facing down, 2nd couple facing up, nearer hands joined.
5 – 6 1st and 2nd couples set. On the second step, 1st couple turn towards each other to face up.
7 – 8 1st couple cast off to second place, while 2nd couple dance up to first place and face out.
9 – 16 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on own sides, all joining nearer hands with partner where possible. 2nd and 3rd couples turn the long way round to places.
17 – 18 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples set.
19 – 20 2nd and 1st couples turn partners by the left hand halfway round, to finish facing down the dance.
21 – 24 1st couple, followed by 2nd couple, lead down, cross over below 3rd couple and cast up to original place.
Progression: “The Knot”
25 – 26 1st and 2nd couples turn partners halfway round by right hand to finish in the centre, facing down, the woman turning clockwise under her partner’s arm to allemande position.
27 – 28 2nd couple, followed by 1st couple, dance up the woman’s side of the dance to positions as in.
29 – 32 2nd and 1st couples turn partners by the left hand to own sides.
The Wellingtonia Reel
12 Scottish Country Dances devised by Mervyn Short
32 bar Reel for 3 couples
Bars
1 – 4 1C & 2C set and link, 1M finish facing out.
5 - 8 1M, followed by partner, casts up and dances down the middle to finish facing 3M, 1W faces 2M.
9 – 16 1M with 3C and 1W with 2C dance reels of three across, passing right shoulders to begin; finish as started.
17 – 20 1M & 3M and 1W & 2M turn right hands.
21 - 24 1M & 3W and 1W & 2W turn left hands, 1C finish in the centre facing down, (1M between 3C, 1W between 2C).
25 – 28 1M followed by partner, casts up one place on men’s side and dances across to the opposite side in second place. 1W finishes in second place on the men’s side.
29-32 1C turn right hands one and a half times, to finish in second place own sides.
Repeat having passes a couple.
This dance was inspired by the magnificent Wellingtonia trees near Finchampstead, Berkshire which I regularly travel past on the way to class.
Tune: The Burnt Leg
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Dances for February 2, 2012
This week will be challenging with a couple of more difficult dances from upcoming programs.
Alltshellach is a very challenging dance from the March program. We are covering it now so we can review it again before the social.
The Reel of Mey has a basic pattern but there is a funny bit in the diagonal reels. It does require some good dancing.
ALLTSHELLACH
RSCDS Book 23 No. 2
(Strathspey)
MUSIC. DESCRIPTION.
Bars.
1 – 4 First and second couples set to and turn partners (both hands).
5 – 8 First and second couples half poussette. Both couples finish in the centre, facing down.
9 – 16 First couple, followed by second couple, lead down. On the fourth step the first couple turn towards each other, lead up between second couple who dance down to follow first couple to original places.
17 – 24 Reel of four across the dance, first woman and second man passing left shoulders to begin.
25 – 32 First and second couples dance the Tournée.
Repeat, having passed a couple
Devised by Elizabeth D. Gilroy, Cockenzie (East Lothian Branch); with acknowledgement to Robert Campbell (Hamilton (Ontario) Branch) for the Tournée.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
23-24 2nd man passes through 1st man’s position & dances in & down, passing 1st man R shoulder, curving round into 2nd place. Similarly, 1st woman passes through 2nd woman’s position & dances in & up, passing 2nd woman R shoulder, & casting into place.
25-32 Bars 2, 3 & 4 of tournée are continuous (with promenade hold) to finish bar 28 with men facing women’s side & women facing men’s side, in a line in the middle of set, partners with nearer hands joined.
The Reel of Mey (Slow 6/8)
RSCDS Book 22 – No. 1
MUSIC DESCRIPTION.
Bars.
1 – 4 First couple, giving right hands in passing, cross over and cast off one place. Second couple move up.
5 – 8 First and second couples, giving right hands, dance four hands across right round.
9 – 12 First couple, giving left hands in passing, cross over and cast off one place. Third couple move up.
13 – 16 First and third couples, giving left hands, dance four hands across right round.
17 – 24 First couple dance to the top, cast off one place on own sides, dance down between third couple, cast up round them and cross to corners. Third couple move down. (Fig.)
25 – 32 First couple dance reel of four diagonally with first corners, finishing by dancing round each other, passing right shoulders to face second corners.
33 – 40 First couple dance reel of four diagonally with second corners, finishing on own sides in second place.
41 – 48 Second, first and third couples dance six hands round and back again.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by George Small, formerly Belfast Branch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
13-16 1st cpl finish wheel in the middle & take nearer hands ready for bar 17.
17-24 Nearer hand leads. 3rd cpl step down bar 23-24.
The Lass of Richmond Hill
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
Bars Description
1 – 8 1st couple lead down middle and up to the top to finish in the middle of the set, facing up.
9 – 14 1st couple cast off one place and, passing partner by the left, dance round first corners by the right and into the middle of the set. 2nd couple step up on bars 9-10.
15 – 16 1st couple , giving left hands, turn to face first corners.
17 – 24 1st couple and first corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish facing second corners.
25 – 32 1st couple and second corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Fiona Turnbull, RSCDS Richmond Branch.
First published in Richmond Anniversary Book 1952-1992.
©RSCDS Richmond Branch, printed with permission.
Alltshellach is a very challenging dance from the March program. We are covering it now so we can review it again before the social.
The Reel of Mey has a basic pattern but there is a funny bit in the diagonal reels. It does require some good dancing.
ALLTSHELLACH
RSCDS Book 23 No. 2
(Strathspey)
MUSIC. DESCRIPTION.
Bars.
1 – 4 First and second couples set to and turn partners (both hands).
5 – 8 First and second couples half poussette. Both couples finish in the centre, facing down.
9 – 16 First couple, followed by second couple, lead down. On the fourth step the first couple turn towards each other, lead up between second couple who dance down to follow first couple to original places.
17 – 24 Reel of four across the dance, first woman and second man passing left shoulders to begin.
25 – 32 First and second couples dance the Tournée.
Repeat, having passed a couple
Devised by Elizabeth D. Gilroy, Cockenzie (East Lothian Branch); with acknowledgement to Robert Campbell (Hamilton (Ontario) Branch) for the Tournée.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
23-24 2nd man passes through 1st man’s position & dances in & down, passing 1st man R shoulder, curving round into 2nd place. Similarly, 1st woman passes through 2nd woman’s position & dances in & up, passing 2nd woman R shoulder, & casting into place.
25-32 Bars 2, 3 & 4 of tournée are continuous (with promenade hold) to finish bar 28 with men facing women’s side & women facing men’s side, in a line in the middle of set, partners with nearer hands joined.
The Reel of Mey (Slow 6/8)
RSCDS Book 22 – No. 1
MUSIC DESCRIPTION.
Bars.
1 – 4 First couple, giving right hands in passing, cross over and cast off one place. Second couple move up.
5 – 8 First and second couples, giving right hands, dance four hands across right round.
9 – 12 First couple, giving left hands in passing, cross over and cast off one place. Third couple move up.
13 – 16 First and third couples, giving left hands, dance four hands across right round.
17 – 24 First couple dance to the top, cast off one place on own sides, dance down between third couple, cast up round them and cross to corners. Third couple move down. (Fig.)
25 – 32 First couple dance reel of four diagonally with first corners, finishing by dancing round each other, passing right shoulders to face second corners.
33 – 40 First couple dance reel of four diagonally with second corners, finishing on own sides in second place.
41 – 48 Second, first and third couples dance six hands round and back again.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by George Small, formerly Belfast Branch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
13-16 1st cpl finish wheel in the middle & take nearer hands ready for bar 17.
17-24 Nearer hand leads. 3rd cpl step down bar 23-24.
The Lass of Richmond Hill
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
Bars Description
1 – 8 1st couple lead down middle and up to the top to finish in the middle of the set, facing up.
9 – 14 1st couple cast off one place and, passing partner by the left, dance round first corners by the right and into the middle of the set. 2nd couple step up on bars 9-10.
15 – 16 1st couple , giving left hands, turn to face first corners.
17 – 24 1st couple and first corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish facing second corners.
25 – 32 1st couple and second corners dance a corner chain. 1st couple finish in second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Fiona Turnbull, RSCDS Richmond Branch.
First published in Richmond Anniversary Book 1952-1992.
©RSCDS Richmond Branch, printed with permission.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Dances for Janurary 26, 2012
I hope you all had ample amounts of haggis and scotch to celebrate Burns day. We will now be focusing on the dances from the February Social. We will slip in one dance from the March social so you can have a second chance at it before that social.
A DANCING CAREER
or
A DANCE IN KOREA
THE GREENBURN BOOK, A Collection of Scottish Country Dances by JOHN DREWRY, 1997 – 1998
devised in September 1997 for Campbell and Isobel Barclay of Kippford and for the dancers in Korea
Jig – 2 couples – 32 bars
Tune – “ “
BARS
1 – 4 1st couple, joining nearer hands, dance down between 2nd couple and then cast up back to place.
5 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across.
9 – 16 1st couple dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple’s places. At the same time, 2nd couple set to each other, cross giving right hands, set on opposite sides and cross back to own sides giving right hands. 2nd couple stay facing out.
17 – 20 1st couple lead down the middle and 2nd couple dance up on the sides to first place and then follow 1st couple down the middle.
21 – 24 2nd couple, followed by 1st couple, lead up the middle and stay in the middle ready for : -
25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance a two-couple promenade.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
THE GARRY STRATHSPEY
TWENTY-TWO SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES by James B. Cosh and TWO OTHERS
Music. Description.
Bars.
1 – 4 First couple with second couple and third couple with fourth couple half rights and lefts.
5 – 8 First and fourth couples half rights and lefts. (Centre couples.)
9 – 10 Second with fourth couple and first couple with third, circle half round (change places diagonally.)
11 – 12 Second and third couples circle half round to the right (centre couples.) Reading from the top couples 4, 3, 2, 1 all on wrong side.
13 – 16 First couple lead up to the top (others step down.)
17 – 20 First facing fourth and third facing second on sides all set highland schottische right and left.
21 – 24 All giving right hand to person facing, half Grand Chain one step to each hand to meet and give right shoulder to same person for
25 – 32 Reels of four on own side.
Davy Nick Nack
A hornpipe for three couples
GLASGOW ASSEMBLY and other SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES by Bob Campbell
Bars
1 – 4 First, second and third couples cross over giving right hands to finish a little in front of opposite side lines, and set.
5 – 8 All cross back to own places, and set
9 – 16 First couple turn time and a half with the right hand, cast off one place on opposite sides, then turn with the left hand to finish in a diagonal line with first corners. Second couple step up on bars 13–14.
17 – 18 First couple turn first corners with the right hand to change places, corners finishing back to back facing first couple.
19 – 20 First couple set to corners in their new position.
21 – 24 First couple turn their first corners back into place with the right hand then turn each other with the left hand to finish in a diagonal line with second corners.
25 – 28 The same as bars 17–20 but with second corners.
29 – 32 First couple turn second corners back into place with the right hand then, giving left hands briefly in passing, curve into second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
THE HIGHLAND RAMBLER
(a 40 bar reel for 3 couples)
Roy Goldring, Leeds Branch, Silver Jubilee.
1 – 4 1st couple dance towards each other then cast to 2nd place; 2nd couple steps up.
5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples dance Right Hands Across once around; 1st lady remains facing out.
9 – 12 1st and 2nd couples dance Left Hands Across once around; 1st lady remains facing out.
13 – 16 1st lady followed by her partner casts up around 2nd lady and dances down the middle to finish 1st lady between 3rd couple and 1st man between 2nd couple; all facing down.
17 – 24 In lines of three, all dance down the set, turn (pulling back right shoulders) and dance up again; 1st couple remains facing up.
25 – 28 1st man followed by his partner casts off one place on the ladies’ side and dances across the set to 2nd place on his own side; 1st lady finishes on her own side.
29 – 32 1st couple turns by the Right Hand.
33 – 40 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance Six Hands Round and back.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
A DANCING CAREER
or
A DANCE IN KOREA
THE GREENBURN BOOK, A Collection of Scottish Country Dances by JOHN DREWRY, 1997 – 1998
devised in September 1997 for Campbell and Isobel Barclay of Kippford and for the dancers in Korea
Jig – 2 couples – 32 bars
Tune – “ “
BARS
1 – 4 1st couple, joining nearer hands, dance down between 2nd couple and then cast up back to place.
5 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across.
9 – 16 1st couple dance a figure of eight round 2nd couple’s places. At the same time, 2nd couple set to each other, cross giving right hands, set on opposite sides and cross back to own sides giving right hands. 2nd couple stay facing out.
17 – 20 1st couple lead down the middle and 2nd couple dance up on the sides to first place and then follow 1st couple down the middle.
21 – 24 2nd couple, followed by 1st couple, lead up the middle and stay in the middle ready for : -
25 – 32 2nd and 1st couples dance a two-couple promenade.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
THE GARRY STRATHSPEY
TWENTY-TWO SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES by James B. Cosh and TWO OTHERS
Music. Description.
Bars.
1 – 4 First couple with second couple and third couple with fourth couple half rights and lefts.
5 – 8 First and fourth couples half rights and lefts. (Centre couples.)
9 – 10 Second with fourth couple and first couple with third, circle half round (change places diagonally.)
11 – 12 Second and third couples circle half round to the right (centre couples.) Reading from the top couples 4, 3, 2, 1 all on wrong side.
13 – 16 First couple lead up to the top (others step down.)
17 – 20 First facing fourth and third facing second on sides all set highland schottische right and left.
21 – 24 All giving right hand to person facing, half Grand Chain one step to each hand to meet and give right shoulder to same person for
25 – 32 Reels of four on own side.
Davy Nick Nack
A hornpipe for three couples
GLASGOW ASSEMBLY and other SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCES by Bob Campbell
Bars
1 – 4 First, second and third couples cross over giving right hands to finish a little in front of opposite side lines, and set.
5 – 8 All cross back to own places, and set
9 – 16 First couple turn time and a half with the right hand, cast off one place on opposite sides, then turn with the left hand to finish in a diagonal line with first corners. Second couple step up on bars 13–14.
17 – 18 First couple turn first corners with the right hand to change places, corners finishing back to back facing first couple.
19 – 20 First couple set to corners in their new position.
21 – 24 First couple turn their first corners back into place with the right hand then turn each other with the left hand to finish in a diagonal line with second corners.
25 – 28 The same as bars 17–20 but with second corners.
29 – 32 First couple turn second corners back into place with the right hand then, giving left hands briefly in passing, curve into second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
THE HIGHLAND RAMBLER
(a 40 bar reel for 3 couples)
Roy Goldring, Leeds Branch, Silver Jubilee.
1 – 4 1st couple dance towards each other then cast to 2nd place; 2nd couple steps up.
5 – 8 1st and 3rd couples dance Right Hands Across once around; 1st lady remains facing out.
9 – 12 1st and 2nd couples dance Left Hands Across once around; 1st lady remains facing out.
13 – 16 1st lady followed by her partner casts up around 2nd lady and dances down the middle to finish 1st lady between 3rd couple and 1st man between 2nd couple; all facing down.
17 – 24 In lines of three, all dance down the set, turn (pulling back right shoulders) and dance up again; 1st couple remains facing up.
25 – 28 1st man followed by his partner casts off one place on the ladies’ side and dances across the set to 2nd place on his own side; 1st lady finishes on her own side.
29 – 32 1st couple turns by the Right Hand.
33 – 40 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance Six Hands Round and back.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Dances for January 19, 2012
Since we missed last class last week we won't be able to cover all the dances for the social this Friday. We have decided to omit The Exciseman. It is quite a difficult dance and we think it might be better for us to focus on other dances.
THE MEETING OF THE WATERS
Iain Boyd, Strathtay Album (New Zealand, 1969)
“The Meeting of the Waters” is a three couple, 48 bar reel
for four couples in a longwise set.
Bars
1 – 8 First and second couples dance a reel of four across the dance. First man and second woman pass by left shoulders while first woman casts off and second man casts up to commence.
9 – 16 First couple dance a parallel figure of eight on own sides round second and third couples passing second couple by right shoulders to commence.
17 – 24 First woman casts off behind second woman, crosses down between third couple, casts up round third man and crosses over to second woman’s place, while first man follows his partner across the dance, casts off behind second woman, crosses down between third couple and casts up round third man to second man’s place. Second couple move up on bars 19 – 20.
25 – 28 First and third couples dance right hands across once round.
29 – 32 Second and first couples dance left hands across once round.
33 – 40 Second, first and third couples dance reels of three on own side. First and third couples pass by right shoulders to commence.
41 – 48 Second, first and third couples dance six hands round and back.
Repeat having passed a couple.
“The Meeting of the Waters” was devised to commemorate the 1964-65 Summer School held in Wanganui, the ‘River City’.
THE MISTY ISLE IN SUMMER
10 SOCIAL DANCES devised by ROY GOLDRING
32 bar strathspey for 3 couples
Bars
1 – 4 1st couple cross giving right hands and cast off two places. Meanwhile 2nd and 3rd couples set and cross up one place. (Women pass in front of their partners but do not give hands).
5 – 8 Repeat bars 1 – 4 with 2nd couple crossing and casting to third place while 3rd and 1st couples set and cross up. At the end of bar 8, 1st woman curves round to her right into second place.
9 – 12 1st and 2nd couples (in second and third places) dance four hands round to the left. At the end of bar 12, 1st couple finish (momentarily) in second place.
13 – 16 3rd and 1st couples dance four hands round to the right.1st couple finish facing their 1st corner positions.
17 – 20 1st couple set to person in 1st corner position then to person in 2nd corner position. On bar 20, 1st couple pull back right shoulders to face each other up and down the dance.
21 – 24 1st couple set then dance a petronella turn to second place on own sides.
25 – 32 Three couple Knot.
Repeat having passed a couple.
For Linda Gaul
Tune: Linda Gaul (Muriel Johnstone)
Burn's Hornpipe
RSCDS Book 27 No. 4
Music DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 8 First woman casts off behind second, third and fourth women, while first man dances down the middle. First couple meet below fourth couple and lead up to original places.
9 – 16 On bar 9 men all turn by the LEFT to face out folding arms as in hornpipe. On bar 16 they face the middle again turning by the left. First woman dances across in front of her partner, behind second man, in front of third man and across to third woman’s place (Fig. 1). Second and third women step up on bars 15 – 16.
17 – 24 First man repeats the pattern of bars 9 – 16 round the women to finish in third man’s place. Women remain facing the middle (Fig. 2). Second and third men step up on bars 23 – 24.
25 – 32 First and fourth couples poussette.
Repeat with a new top couple
Hill Manuscript (Aberdeen) 1841.
Tune: Glasgow Hornpipe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 9 – 16 As the men stand facing out, they may beat with the right heel.
Bars 17 – 24 1st man dances into 3rd man’s place on bar 23, so that on bar 24, 1st and 4th couples step in to the middle ready for the poussette.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNOTES:
9 – 16 Men may beat with right heel, while facing out.
23 – 24 1st man dances through 3rd man’s position & then curves by right into middle, as his prtnr & 4th cpl step in on bar 24, all ready for possette.
THE MEETING OF THE WATERS
Iain Boyd, Strathtay Album (New Zealand, 1969)
“The Meeting of the Waters” is a three couple, 48 bar reel
for four couples in a longwise set.
Bars
1 – 8 First and second couples dance a reel of four across the dance. First man and second woman pass by left shoulders while first woman casts off and second man casts up to commence.
9 – 16 First couple dance a parallel figure of eight on own sides round second and third couples passing second couple by right shoulders to commence.
17 – 24 First woman casts off behind second woman, crosses down between third couple, casts up round third man and crosses over to second woman’s place, while first man follows his partner across the dance, casts off behind second woman, crosses down between third couple and casts up round third man to second man’s place. Second couple move up on bars 19 – 20.
25 – 28 First and third couples dance right hands across once round.
29 – 32 Second and first couples dance left hands across once round.
33 – 40 Second, first and third couples dance reels of three on own side. First and third couples pass by right shoulders to commence.
41 – 48 Second, first and third couples dance six hands round and back.
Repeat having passed a couple.
“The Meeting of the Waters” was devised to commemorate the 1964-65 Summer School held in Wanganui, the ‘River City’.
THE MISTY ISLE IN SUMMER
10 SOCIAL DANCES devised by ROY GOLDRING
32 bar strathspey for 3 couples
Bars
1 – 4 1st couple cross giving right hands and cast off two places. Meanwhile 2nd and 3rd couples set and cross up one place. (Women pass in front of their partners but do not give hands).
5 – 8 Repeat bars 1 – 4 with 2nd couple crossing and casting to third place while 3rd and 1st couples set and cross up. At the end of bar 8, 1st woman curves round to her right into second place.
9 – 12 1st and 2nd couples (in second and third places) dance four hands round to the left. At the end of bar 12, 1st couple finish (momentarily) in second place.
13 – 16 3rd and 1st couples dance four hands round to the right.1st couple finish facing their 1st corner positions.
17 – 20 1st couple set to person in 1st corner position then to person in 2nd corner position. On bar 20, 1st couple pull back right shoulders to face each other up and down the dance.
21 – 24 1st couple set then dance a petronella turn to second place on own sides.
25 – 32 Three couple Knot.
Repeat having passed a couple.
For Linda Gaul
Tune: Linda Gaul (Muriel Johnstone)
Burn's Hornpipe
RSCDS Book 27 No. 4
Music DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 8 First woman casts off behind second, third and fourth women, while first man dances down the middle. First couple meet below fourth couple and lead up to original places.
9 – 16 On bar 9 men all turn by the LEFT to face out folding arms as in hornpipe. On bar 16 they face the middle again turning by the left. First woman dances across in front of her partner, behind second man, in front of third man and across to third woman’s place (Fig. 1). Second and third women step up on bars 15 – 16.
17 – 24 First man repeats the pattern of bars 9 – 16 round the women to finish in third man’s place. Women remain facing the middle (Fig. 2). Second and third men step up on bars 23 – 24.
25 – 32 First and fourth couples poussette.
Repeat with a new top couple
Hill Manuscript (Aberdeen) 1841.
Tune: Glasgow Hornpipe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 9 – 16 As the men stand facing out, they may beat with the right heel.
Bars 17 – 24 1st man dances into 3rd man’s place on bar 23, so that on bar 24, 1st and 4th couples step in to the middle ready for the poussette.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNOTES:
9 – 16 Men may beat with right heel, while facing out.
23 – 24 1st man dances through 3rd man’s position & then curves by right into middle, as his prtnr & 4th cpl step in on bar 24, all ready for possette.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Missed Class
Too bad we had to cancel the class on January 12. We will to adjust our plans for next week to cover the best choice of dances for the class. Obviously, we won't get to all of the challenging dances now.
In the mean time here is a link to an article on how dancing makes you smarter.
See you next week.
In the mean time here is a link to an article on how dancing makes you smarter.
See you next week.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Dances for January 12, 2012
We will continue to review the more challenging dances for the January Social. The Meeting of the Waters will be quite challenging. The reel of four can be confusing. Hopefully, we will present it in a clear manner.
We will also be repeating the strathspey from last week.
Cumberland Reel
32-bar jig for four couples in a four-couple longwise set
RSCDS Book 1 – No. 11
Bars Description
1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across left hands across back to places.
9 – 16 First couple lead down the middle and up to finish in first place, facing out.
17 – 22 1st couple, followed by 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples cast off and dance behind their own lines.
23 – 28 1st couple, followed by 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples dance up the middle. On bar 28, 1st couple face down and 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples join both hands with partners to make an arch in the middle.
29 – 32 First couple dance down the middle under the arches to fourth place. On bar 32, 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples release hands and step up and out to new places.
Repeat with a new top couple.
There are many versions of Cumberland Reel in 19th Century ballroom guides. Several are similar to the above description but include a four-couple promenade in a 40-bar dance.
Originl tune: Cumberland Reel (Traditional)
BURNS BICENTENARY STRATHSPEY
THE BANKHEAD BOOK, Part 6, Scottish Country Dances by JOHN DREWRY, 1995 – 1996
dance devised in November 1995
A dance to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of Robert Burns
Requested by the Ayr Branch of the RSCDS.
Strathspey – 4 couples – 32 bars
Tune – “Of A’ the Airts the Wind Can Blaw”
In this dance, 3rd and 4th couples start on opposite sides.
BARS
1 – 4 1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple dance four hands round to the left.
5 – 8 1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple, retaining hold of nearer hands on the sides, set and then link to change places.
At the end:-
2nd couple are in first place facing down,
1st couple are in second place facing up,
4th couple are in third place on opposite sides facing down,
3rd couple are in fourth place on opposite sides facing up.
9 – 16 2nd man, 1st man, 4th woman and 3rd woman dance a reel of four on the men’s side, while their partners dance a reel of four on the women’s side. At the end, 1st and 4th men stay facing out.
17 – 24 1st and 4th couples dance a ladies’ chain across the dance. At the end, 1st man turns towards 4th woman to face in and, retaining hold of her left hand, joins right hands with her in promenade hold. 4th man dances similarly with 1st woman.
25 – 28 1st man with 4th woman and 4th man with 1st woman cross the dance to change sides, the men passing each other by the left shoulder.
29 – 32 4th couple, joining nearer hands, dance up between 2nd couple and cast off to second place on own sides. 1st couple, similarly, dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to third place on opposite sides.
The finishing order is 2, 4, 1, 3.
Repeat from new places.
THE MEETING OF THE WATERS
Iain Boyd, Strathtay Album (New Zealand, 1969)
“The Meeting of the Waters” is a three couple, 48 bar reel for four couples in a longwise set.
Bars
1 – 8 First and second couples dance a reel of four across the dance. First man and second woman pass by left shoulders while first woman casts off and second man casts up to commence.
9 – 16 First couple dance a parallel figure of eight on own sides round second and third couples passing second couple by right shoulders to commence.
17 – 24 First woman casts off behind second woman, crosses down between third couple, casts up round third man and crosses over to second woman’s place, while first man follows his partner across the dance, casts off behind second woman, crosses down between third couple and casts up round third man to second man’s place.Second couple move up on bars 19 – 20.
25 – 28 First and third couples dance right hands across once round.
29 – 32 Second and first couples dance left hands across once round.
33 – 40 Second, first and third couples dance reels of three on own side. First and third couples pass by right shoulders to commence.
41 – 48 Second, first and third couples dance six hands round and back.
Repeat having passed a couple.
“The Meeting of the Waters” was devised to commemorate the 1964-65 Summer School held in Wanganui, the ‘River City’.
Burn's Hornpipe
RSCDS Book 27 No. 4
Music DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 8 First woman casts off behind second, third and fourth women, while first man dances down the middle. First couple meet below fourth couple and lead up to original places.
9 – 16 On bar 9 men all turn by the LEFT to face out folding arms as in hornpipe. On bar 16 they face the middle again turning by the left. First woman dances across in front of her partner, behind second man, in front of third man and across to third woman’s place (Fig. 1). Second and third women step up on bars 15 – 16.
17 – 24 First man repeats the pattern of bars 9 – 16 round the women to finish in third man’s place. Women remain facing the middle (Fig. 2). Second and third men step up on bars 23 – 24.
25 – 32 First and fourth couples poussette.
Repeat with a new top couple
Hill Manuscript (Aberdeen) 1841.
Tune: Glasgow Hornpipe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 9 – 16 As the men stand facing out, they may beat with the right heel.
Bars 17 – 24 1st man dances into 3rd man’s place on bar 23, so that on bar 24, 1st and 4th couples step
in to the middle ready for the poussette.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNOTES:
9 – 16 Men may beat with right heel, while facing out.
23 – 24 1st man dances through 3rd man’s position & then curves by right into middle,
as his prtnr & 4th cpl step in on bar 24, all ready for possette.
We will also be repeating the strathspey from last week.
Cumberland Reel
32-bar jig for four couples in a four-couple longwise set
RSCDS Book 1 – No. 11
Bars Description
1 – 8 1st and 2nd couples dance right hands across left hands across back to places.
9 – 16 First couple lead down the middle and up to finish in first place, facing out.
17 – 22 1st couple, followed by 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples cast off and dance behind their own lines.
23 – 28 1st couple, followed by 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples dance up the middle. On bar 28, 1st couple face down and 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples join both hands with partners to make an arch in the middle.
29 – 32 First couple dance down the middle under the arches to fourth place. On bar 32, 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples release hands and step up and out to new places.
Repeat with a new top couple.
There are many versions of Cumberland Reel in 19th Century ballroom guides. Several are similar to the above description but include a four-couple promenade in a 40-bar dance.
Originl tune: Cumberland Reel (Traditional)
BURNS BICENTENARY STRATHSPEY
THE BANKHEAD BOOK, Part 6, Scottish Country Dances by JOHN DREWRY, 1995 – 1996
dance devised in November 1995
A dance to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of Robert Burns
Requested by the Ayr Branch of the RSCDS.
Strathspey – 4 couples – 32 bars
Tune – “Of A’ the Airts the Wind Can Blaw”
In this dance, 3rd and 4th couples start on opposite sides.
BARS
1 – 4 1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple dance four hands round to the left.
5 – 8 1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple, retaining hold of nearer hands on the sides, set and then link to change places.
At the end:-
2nd couple are in first place facing down,
1st couple are in second place facing up,
4th couple are in third place on opposite sides facing down,
3rd couple are in fourth place on opposite sides facing up.
9 – 16 2nd man, 1st man, 4th woman and 3rd woman dance a reel of four on the men’s side, while their partners dance a reel of four on the women’s side. At the end, 1st and 4th men stay facing out.
17 – 24 1st and 4th couples dance a ladies’ chain across the dance. At the end, 1st man turns towards 4th woman to face in and, retaining hold of her left hand, joins right hands with her in promenade hold. 4th man dances similarly with 1st woman.
25 – 28 1st man with 4th woman and 4th man with 1st woman cross the dance to change sides, the men passing each other by the left shoulder.
29 – 32 4th couple, joining nearer hands, dance up between 2nd couple and cast off to second place on own sides. 1st couple, similarly, dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to third place on opposite sides.
The finishing order is 2, 4, 1, 3.
Repeat from new places.
THE MEETING OF THE WATERS
Iain Boyd, Strathtay Album (New Zealand, 1969)
“The Meeting of the Waters” is a three couple, 48 bar reel for four couples in a longwise set.
Bars
1 – 8 First and second couples dance a reel of four across the dance. First man and second woman pass by left shoulders while first woman casts off and second man casts up to commence.
9 – 16 First couple dance a parallel figure of eight on own sides round second and third couples passing second couple by right shoulders to commence.
17 – 24 First woman casts off behind second woman, crosses down between third couple, casts up round third man and crosses over to second woman’s place, while first man follows his partner across the dance, casts off behind second woman, crosses down between third couple and casts up round third man to second man’s place.Second couple move up on bars 19 – 20.
25 – 28 First and third couples dance right hands across once round.
29 – 32 Second and first couples dance left hands across once round.
33 – 40 Second, first and third couples dance reels of three on own side. First and third couples pass by right shoulders to commence.
41 – 48 Second, first and third couples dance six hands round and back.
Repeat having passed a couple.
“The Meeting of the Waters” was devised to commemorate the 1964-65 Summer School held in Wanganui, the ‘River City’.
Burn's Hornpipe
RSCDS Book 27 No. 4
Music DESCRIPTION
Bars
1 – 8 First woman casts off behind second, third and fourth women, while first man dances down the middle. First couple meet below fourth couple and lead up to original places.
9 – 16 On bar 9 men all turn by the LEFT to face out folding arms as in hornpipe. On bar 16 they face the middle again turning by the left. First woman dances across in front of her partner, behind second man, in front of third man and across to third woman’s place (Fig. 1). Second and third women step up on bars 15 – 16.
17 – 24 First man repeats the pattern of bars 9 – 16 round the women to finish in third man’s place. Women remain facing the middle (Fig. 2). Second and third men step up on bars 23 – 24.
25 – 32 First and fourth couples poussette.
Repeat with a new top couple
Hill Manuscript (Aberdeen) 1841.
Tune: Glasgow Hornpipe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Manual of Scottish Country Dancing:
Bars 9 – 16 As the men stand facing out, they may beat with the right heel.
Bars 17 – 24 1st man dances into 3rd man’s place on bar 23, so that on bar 24, 1st and 4th couples step
in to the middle ready for the poussette.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNOTES:
9 – 16 Men may beat with right heel, while facing out.
23 – 24 1st man dances through 3rd man’s position & then curves by right into middle,
as his prtnr & 4th cpl step in on bar 24, all ready for possette.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Dances for January 5, 2012
Welcome back to dancing for 2012. We will be working towards the socials as usual. In addition, we will be looking at the dances for the Ottawa Branch Ball in April.
Here are the dances for this week.
The Montgomeries’ Rant
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
RSCDS Book 10 – No. 1
Bars Description
1 – 8 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides. 1st couple, giving left hands, cross over and 1st woman casts up one place while 1st man casts off one place. 1st woman finishes between 2nd couple facing 2nd man with 1st man between 3rd couple facing 3rd woman. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.
9 – 16 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance reels of three across the set. 1st woman and 2nd man and 1st man and 3rd woman pass by the right to begin. On bar 16, 1st couple, with nearer hands joined, face 2nd woman.
17 – 24 1st couple set to 2nd woman. 1st couple turn towards each other and change hands to face 3rd man and set. 1st couple move round to face 3rd woman and set. 1st couple turn towards each other and change hands to face 2nd man and set. 1st couple finish facing second corners.
25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple pass second corners by the right to begin.
31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross to second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, 1749.
Original tune: Lord Eglintoune (John Riddell, c. 1766) but usually danced to Lady Montgomerie (Lord Eglintoune, 1796).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
17-24 1st woman is on her partner’s left to begin &, on bar 24, turns L about, with assistance from her partner, to face her second corner.
BURNS BICENTENARY STRATHSPEY
Strathspey – 4 couples – 32 bars
THE BANKHEAD BOOK, Part 6, Scottish Country Dances by JOHN DREWRY, 1995 – 1996
dance devised in November 1995
A dance to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of Robert Burns
Requested by the Ayr Branch of the RSCDS.
Tune – “Of A’ the Airts the Wind Can Blaw”
In this dance, 3rd and 4th couples start on opposite sides.
BARS
1 – 4 1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple dance four hands round to the left.
5 – 8 1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple, retaining hold of nearer hands on the sides, set and then link to change places.
At the end:-
2nd couple are in first place facing down,
1st couple are in second place facing up,
4th couple are in third place on opposite sides facing down,
3rd couple are in fourth place on opposite sides facing up.
9 – 16 2nd man, 1st man, 4th woman and 3rd woman dance a reel of four on the men’s side, while their partners dance a reel of four on the women’s side. At the end, 1st and 4th men stay facing out.
17 – 24 1st and 4th couples dance a ladies’ chain across the dance. At the end, 1st man turns towards 4th woman to face in and, retaining hold of her left hand, joins right hands with her in promenade hold. 4th man dances similarly with 1st woman.
25 – 28 1st man with 4th woman and 4th man with 1st woman cross the dance to change sides, the men passing each other by the left shoulder.
29 – 32 4th couple, joining nearer hands, dance up between 2nd couple and cast off to second place on own sides. 1st couple, similarly, dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to third place on opposite sides.
The finishing order is 2, 4, 1, 3.
Repeat from new places.
It’s all right
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances, No. 12
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
Bars Description
1 – 4 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set and, giving right hands, cross over to finish facing clockwise.
5 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples chase halfway to finish in the order 3,2,1 on own sides.
9 – 16 3rd, 2nd and 1st couples repeat bars 1-8 to finish in original places.
17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and up.
25 – 32 1st couple set and, giving right hands, cross over, cast off one place and, giving right hands, cross to second place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 29-30.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Elma See.
For those who forget which is their ‘right’ hand.
Here are the dances for this week.
The Montgomeries’ Rant
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
RSCDS Book 10 – No. 1
Bars Description
1 – 8 1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place on opposite sides. 1st couple, giving left hands, cross over and 1st woman casts up one place while 1st man casts off one place. 1st woman finishes between 2nd couple facing 2nd man with 1st man between 3rd couple facing 3rd woman. 2nd couple step up on bars 3-4.
9 – 16 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance reels of three across the set. 1st woman and 2nd man and 1st man and 3rd woman pass by the right to begin. On bar 16, 1st couple, with nearer hands joined, face 2nd woman.
17 – 24 1st couple set to 2nd woman. 1st couple turn towards each other and change hands to face 3rd man and set. 1st couple move round to face 3rd woman and set. 1st couple turn towards each other and change hands to face 2nd man and set. 1st couple finish facing second corners.
25 – 30 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance reels of three on the sides. 1st couple pass second corners by the right to begin.
31 – 32 1st couple, giving right hands, cross to second place on own sides.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
The Register of Dances at Castle Menzies, 1749.
Original tune: Lord Eglintoune (John Riddell, c. 1766) but usually danced to Lady Montgomerie (Lord Eglintoune, 1796).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TACNotes:’
17-24 1st woman is on her partner’s left to begin &, on bar 24, turns L about, with assistance from her partner, to face her second corner.
BURNS BICENTENARY STRATHSPEY
Strathspey – 4 couples – 32 bars
THE BANKHEAD BOOK, Part 6, Scottish Country Dances by JOHN DREWRY, 1995 – 1996
dance devised in November 1995
A dance to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of Robert Burns
Requested by the Ayr Branch of the RSCDS.
Tune – “Of A’ the Airts the Wind Can Blaw”
In this dance, 3rd and 4th couples start on opposite sides.
BARS
1 – 4 1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple dance four hands round to the left.
5 – 8 1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple, retaining hold of nearer hands on the sides, set and then link to change places.
At the end:-
2nd couple are in first place facing down,
1st couple are in second place facing up,
4th couple are in third place on opposite sides facing down,
3rd couple are in fourth place on opposite sides facing up.
9 – 16 2nd man, 1st man, 4th woman and 3rd woman dance a reel of four on the men’s side, while their partners dance a reel of four on the women’s side. At the end, 1st and 4th men stay facing out.
17 – 24 1st and 4th couples dance a ladies’ chain across the dance. At the end, 1st man turns towards 4th woman to face in and, retaining hold of her left hand, joins right hands with her in promenade hold. 4th man dances similarly with 1st woman.
25 – 28 1st man with 4th woman and 4th man with 1st woman cross the dance to change sides, the men passing each other by the left shoulder.
29 – 32 4th couple, joining nearer hands, dance up between 2nd couple and cast off to second place on own sides. 1st couple, similarly, dance down between 3rd couple and cast up to third place on opposite sides.
The finishing order is 2, 4, 1, 3.
Repeat from new places.
It’s all right
RSCDS Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances, No. 12
32-bar jig for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
Bars Description
1 – 4 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples set and, giving right hands, cross over to finish facing clockwise.
5 – 8 1st, 2nd and 3rd couples chase halfway to finish in the order 3,2,1 on own sides.
9 – 16 3rd, 2nd and 1st couples repeat bars 1-8 to finish in original places.
17 – 24 1st couple lead down the middle and up.
25 – 32 1st couple set and, giving right hands, cross over, cast off one place and, giving right hands, cross to second place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 29-30.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Elma See.
For those who forget which is their ‘right’ hand.
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