The ‘caller’ directs other people to learn the dance. If everyone knows the dance, there’s no need for a caller.
Calling on FSC isn’t the same as being a professional caller – anyone can do it, and it’s all about learning by doing. Older kids can have a go for the lodge, or smaller kids for their own groups. It helps to be able to herd people, know the dance, and be able to keep in time with the music. Clear instructions are good, and most important is a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
WIth a live band, the caller should also tell musicians when to stop playing each dance. Usually, each dance would have 5 or 6 ‘rounds’, or repetitions.
Tips for calling on FSC
- Practice the dance by calling for just a couple of people
- It’s fun to take it in turns – if you’re running a ceilidh, get different callers for each dance. If getting kids to call, it’s helpful if it’s a dance lots of people already know because very few kids can project their voices loudly enough for everyone to hear
- Once the dancing has started, shout out simplified instructions e.g. ‘Right Hand Star’ just before the dancers get to the relevant bit of the music.
- Count movements in the first couple of rounds to help keep inexperienced dancers in time to the music e.g. “forward, 2, 3, 4….”. Most country dancing movements are 8 counts or steps long, which translates to 4 bars of music e.g. “Circle Right, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8”.
- Stop giving instructions before the last couple of rounds if that looks possible so the dancers can learn to instruct themselves and aren’t relying on you as the caller. Maybe let them know you’re going to do this.
- It is great to keep dancers in time with the music and it’s more satisfying for them. However, worrying about trying to get them in time can be stressful and ruin the vibe – the most important thing is that everyone has fun.
- If the dance involves a complex movement, get dancers to practice it on its own first or teach it at Rally as a ‘dance move of the day’
- Dance several times on camp – this makes a huge difference. Learn a couple of dances before dinner or whilst waiting for lodge walk to start & then hold a celebratory ceilidh after Peafair.
- If you’re organising a ceilidh at an FSC event (Postcamps, Stores etc) it’s usually the caller who decides the setlist. And it’s more inclusive to let musicians know in advance what the setlist is so they can practice – only really good musicians will be able to play without practice.