February 2, 2010
Laird Jim's 60th 1x60 R
LAIRD JIM'S 60th
60-bar reel for 4 couples in a square set
1-8 1st Lady followed by her partner, chases anti-clockwise ¾ way round the outside of the set, comes into the set through first and second places and finishes in fourth place.
On bars 1 and 2, 2nd, 3rd and 4th couples join nearer hands with partner and slip step one place to the right.
Finish in the order 2, 3, 4, & 1.
9-16 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 1st couples dance eight hands round to the right and back.
17-24 1st and 3rd couples dance a Men's Chain.
25-32 2nd and 4th couples dance Rights and Lefts.
33-40 1st and 3rd couples dance Rights and Lefts.
41-48 2nd and 4th couples dance a Men's Chain.
49-56 All dance a Grand Chain. Finish facing partner.
57-60 Men turn partner with the right hand into Promenade hold, and dance clockwise one place to original places. The lady turns under her partner's right hand to finish in the centre, retaining right hands, ready for the bow and curtsey.
Notes:
Bars 1-16 - Depict the "6" and "0".
Bars 17-48 - Party games.
Bars 49-56 - Mingling and saying Goodbyes.
Bars 57-60 - Leaving the party with your partner.
Devised by the Unit 3 class of week 2 at the 2009 Summer School, to celebrate the 60th birthday of Jim Laird who was their pianist. Contact: Gabrielle Funhoff, parbleuoui [at] aol.com
Music: Original tune,Laird Jim's 60th by Gabrielle Funhoff.
November 11, 2009
Miss McBurnie's Wedding 3x32 S
MISS McBURNIE'S WEDDING
32-bar strathspey for three couples in a three-couple longways set
1 - 8 2nd couple followed by 1st couple lead down and back to place.
9 - 16 1st and 2nd couples Set and Link. 1st couple set advancing and turn with both hands.
17 - 24 1st and 3rd couples dance the knot.
25 - 32 1st couple dance up for two bars, turn twice with both hands, dance back to 3rd place.
Recommended recorded music: "The Partnership" from "Vintage Goldring" by Muriel Johnstone & Keith Smith
Devised by Andrew Hodgson (andrew [at] hodgson.za.net), in celebration of his marriage to Miss Heather McBurnie on 10th October 2009 in Cape Town.
May be reproduced for dance instruction and use.
November 5, 2009
Gordon of Straloch 8x32 S
GORDON OF STRALOCH
A 32-bar Strathspey for three couples in a four couple set
1 - 8 1st and 2nd couples dance the first six bars of Poussette Right Round. On the last two bars, they turn with both hands once round and face down improper, left hands joined with partner.
9 -12 2nd couple followed by 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple, cross to own sides and cast up to progressed places.
13-16 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple dance right hands across once round. 1st couple finish in the center of the dance, right shoulder to right shoulder, facing 2nd corners.
17-24 Corners Pass & Turn:
17-20 1st couple dance out and loop right around 2nd corner positions, dance in and pass right shoulders in the middle to face 3rd corners. Meanwhile 2nd corners dance in (1 bar), turn with right hands half round (1 bar), dance out (1 bar) and loop right about into place (1 bar).
21-24 1st couple dance out and loop right around 3rd corner positions and, from the ends of the set, cross to 2nd place improper and face out. Meanwhile 1st corners dance in (1 bar), turn with right hands half round (1 bar), dance out (1 bar) and loop right about into place (1 bar).
25-32 Reels of three on the sides.
To begin: 1st man dances out and down, passing 3rd woman by the right.
1st woman dances out and up, passing 2nd man by the right.
2nd couple dance in and down.
3rd couple dance in and up.
At the end: 1st couple, from the ends of their reels, cross to 2nd place proper.
Repeat having passed a couple.
Tunes: "Rorate Coeli" and "I long for thy virginitie," the last from the Straloch Lute Book, 1627.
Recommended recorded music: Set of Strathspey Airs (track 5) on Waverley Station's CD First Stop.
Devised by Peter Price (peter.price1672 [at] gmail.com)
October 28, 2009
The Physicist's Folly 1x128 S
THE PHYSICIST'S FOLLY
(aka A-A prime-BC transpose)
128-bar strathspey for 4 couples in a square set
1-8 1C & 3C dance ladies' chain ending in promenade hold.
9-16 1C & 3C promenade CCW halfway around the inside of the set to change places and face in, then set advancing and turn BH halfway with the person opposite to end facing the side couples. (1W facing 2W, 1M facing 4M, 3W facing 4W, and 3M facing 2M)
17-24 Parallel reels of 4 across the set, ending with 1W facing 3W with their partners behind them.
25-32 1C & 3C dance a reel of 4 up and down the dance, 1W & 3W passing right shoulder to start. 1C & 3C end in original places.
33-64 2C & 4C repeat bars 1-32.
65-72 All set, then all women dance RH across and dance around partners passing them left shoulder, ending in original places.
73-80 All set, then all men dance LH across and turn partners RH to end with men facing in and women facing out.
81-96 All dance Schiehallion reels, ending with all women facing out.
97-104 All women dance one position CW, turn the man they meet once round RH, dance one position CW, and turn the man they meet once round RH to end facing.
105-112 All dance a grand chain around the set, taking 1 bar per pass, ending with men facing CCW.
113-120 All men dance one position CCW, turn the woman they meet once round LH, dance one position CCW, and turn partners LH into allemande hold facing CCW.
121-128 All dance halfway around the set in allemande hold to original places, turn in on bar 5, then turn the women to face (as in allemande) so the women are back-to-back in the center. All turn partners once round RH, women ending back-to-back in the center, and honor partners.
Devised by Sue McKinnell (luvscd [at] suedan.com)
Suggested Music: "Fill the Fetters" from Celebrate 50 Years with the Boston Branch.
UPDATE 9 November 2009: Wording for bars 9-16 and 73-80 slightly tweaked
August 17, 2009
Mally's Meek, Mally's Sweet 8x32 S
MALLY'S MEEK, MALLY'S SWEET
32-bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 4-couple set
1-4 1st couple cast into second place (4-bar cast), 2nd couple step up on bars 3 & 4. (1st couple take near hands briefly at end of bar 1)
5-8 1st couple dance between 3rd couple and cast up into second place on own sides.
9-12 1st couple set advancing to first corners (who set back)2 and turn ¾ with two hands to finish in line across the dance, 1st woman between 2nd couple and 1st man between 3rd couple.
12-16 1st couple set advancing to second corners (who set back)3 and turn ¾ with two hands to finish between their corners (i.e., 2nd place on opposite sides).
17-20 With hands joined on the sides, all set then all turn partners with two hands once round.
21-24 1st couple dance half figures of eight across, 1st woman around 2nd couple and 1st man around 3rd couple,4 passing through second place on own sides to finish left shoulder to left shoulder in the center.
25-28 1st couple dance right hands across, 1st woman with 2nd couple and 1st man with 3rd couple.
29-32 1st couple dance left hands across, 1st woman with 3rd couple and 1st man with 2nd couple (1st couple pass right shoulders in the center to begin), finishing in second place on own sides.
Notes:
At the end of bar 10, 1st couple should be back to back in the center facing their first corners.
At the end of bar 14, 1st couple should be back to back in the center facing their second corners.
Bars 21-24 are colloquially known as "fishhooks" - 1st woman dances around 2nd woman passing right shoulders and 1st man around 3rd man, also passing right shoulders.
Devised by 2009 by Lee Fuell (fuell [at] mindspring.com)
Mally's meek, Mally's sweet,
Mally's modest and discreet;
Mally's rare, Mally's fair,
Mally's every way complete.
--- Robert Burns, 1795
Gude Ale Keeps the Heart Aboon 8x32 R
GUDE ALE KEEPS THE HEART ABOON
32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple set
1-8 1st couple set, dance a half figure of eight around 2nd couple, then dance in and down to finish back to back facing opposite sides (2nd couple step up on bars 7 & 8). (1st couple may take near hands briefly as they dance in and down on bars 7 & 8.)
9-12 1st couple and corners set as in double triangles, then 1st couple and first corners turn with right hands to finish in position as on bar 9.
12-16 1st couple and corners set as in double triangles, then 1st couple and second corners turn with left hands to finish in position as on bar 9.
17-24 1st couple and corners dance inverting double triangles (1st couple and corners set as in double triangles, then all advance setting and turn right about so 1st couple is in second place on opposite sides facing in and 2nd and 3rd couples are back to back in the center facing out. All set with hands joined, then all advance setting and turn right about to finish in position as on bar 9 (1st couple back to back in the center facing out)).
25-32 1st couple dance out opposite sides and cast around their first corners to face each other up and down in the center of the set, then turn 1 ¼ times with the right hand to finish in second place on own sides ready to begin again. (If desired, 1st couple may substitute a Tulloch turn or birl for the right hand turn at the end of the dance.)
Devised 2009 by Lee Fuell (fuell [at] mindspring.com)
O gude ale comes and gude ale goes;
Gude ale gars me sell my hose,
Sell my hose, and pawn my shoon--
Gude ale keeps my heart aboon!
--- Robert Burns, 1795
July 5, 2009
Quaternary Knot 8x32 J
QUATERNARY KNOT
32 bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4-couple set
1 - 2 nbsp; 1st and 2nd couple set with nearer hands joined.
3 - 4 nbsp; Releasing hands, 1st couple cast into 2nd place while 2nd couple dance in and up then, turning away from each other, curve into 1st place.
5 - 8 nbsp; 1st couple dance down the middle between 3rd couple and cast into 2nd place on own side.
9 - 12 nbsp; 1st couple cross up to dance half reels on opposite sides with their corners, 1st woman passing 2nd man by the left shoulder and 1st man passing 2nd woman by the right shoulder (a.k.a. mirror reels").
13 - 16 nbsp; On bar 13, 1st couple cross down and dance half reels on own sides. The reels finish with 1st couple in the middle of the set in 2nd place, both pulling back their shoulders, turning toward the bottom of the set to finish back to back facing their own side.2
17 - 24 nbsp; 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance double triangles.
25 - 32 nbsp; 2nd, 1st, and 3rd couples circle six hands round and back.
Repeat from progressed position
Devised 2009 by Gary Lindsey (gary.lindsey [at] sbcglobal.net)
NOTES:
Bars 9 - 16 Quaternary Knot: Basically a crossover mirrored reel of three with 1st couple crossing at the top and bottom. From their starting position, they are dancing a diagonal oval around the couple above then the couple below while 2nd and 3rd couples dance a mirror reel on the side.
Bars 13-16: The turn to finish back to back is an excellent opportunity for good eye contact with your partner. 2nd and 3rd couples can finish the reels the long way into place ready for double triangles
A few meaning possibilities of your Quaternary knot design:
- Indication of the four directions: North, South, East, West.
- Indication of the four seasons.
- Indication of the four great treasures of the Tuatha
- A more modern indication of the four Latin Gospels in the Book of Kells
- Indication of the four elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Air
- Indication of the four Celtic fire festivals, Samhain, Beltane, Imbolc, Lughnasadh.
- An emblem of Brigid, also known as the Queen of the Four Fires a she demonstrates her four-branched wisdom of hand, hearth, head and heart.
June 16, 2009
The Falls of Lana 8x32 R
THE FALLS OF LANA
32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple longwise set
1 - 8 1st woman, followed closely by her partner, casts behind 2nd woman, dances across the set, casts around 3rd man, and dances up the center to finish facing her first corner. 1st man finishes facing his first corner.1 2nd couple steps up on bars 7 and 8.
9 - 16 Set to corners and partner. On bar 15, 1st couple sets to each other up and down the set and on bar 16 sets advancing and turns right about to finish back-to-back in the center of set, 1st man facing up and 1st woman facing down.2
17 - 24 Right-shoulder reels of three across the set in six bars (17-22). 1st couple begins the reels by passing right shoulder with the person on their right (1st man with 2nd woman and 1st woman with 3rd man). 1st couple ends the reels with 1st couple in the center, right shoulder to right shoulder facing opposite sides. On bars 23 and 24, 1st couple turn ¾ with right hands to second place on own sides.
25 - 32 2nd, 1st, 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.
Devised 2009 by Lee Fuell and Patty Lindsay (fuell [at] mindspring.com)
Recommended recorded music: "Shetland Reels," Track 2 from Steppin' Out by John Taylor and Andrew Imbrie
The Falls of Lana are near Salisbury, Addison County, Vermont, USA and are easily accessible if you don't mind scrambling over some rocks uphill along a pipeline. The view is worth the trouble, as is Silver Lake if you continue up the trail for another hour or so and 500+ feet elevation. See photos of the Falls of Lana here.
Bars 1-8 represent the trail to Silver Lake, 9-16 greeting other hikers on the trail, 17-24 the tumbling and roiling waters of Sucker Creek over the falls, and 25-32 is Silver Lake at the top.
May 31, 2009
Triangle Reel 8x32 J
TRIANGLE REEL
32-bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4-couple long set
1-4 1st couple cast down one place, 2nd couple step up on bar 3 and 4.
5-8 1st couple dance down and cast up to 2nd place, finishing back to back facing own sides.
9 - 12 The Men dance a half Reel of 3 on the mens side, 1st Man start left shoulder to 3rd man; while the Ladies set as in Double Triangles. 1st couple finish back to back facing opposite sides.
13 - 16 1st Man, 2nd and 3rd Lady set as in Double Triangles; while 1st Lady dance a half Reel of 3 on the Men's side, starting right shoulder to 3rd man on top place. 1st couple finish back to back facing own sides.
17 - 20 The Men set as in Double Triangles; while the Ladies dance a half Reel of 3 on the ladies side, 1st Lady start right shoulder to 3rd lady. 1st couple finish back to back facing opposite sides.
21 - 24 1st Man dance a half Reel of 3 on the Ladies' side, starting left shoulder to 3rd Lady on top place; while 1st Lady, 2nd and 3rd Man set as in Double Triangles. 1st couple finish in the middle, left shoulder to partner, Lady facing up, Man down.
25 - 28 1st couple dance Right Hands across on the sides.
28 - 32 1st couple dance right shoulder round their 4th corner to 2nd place,
own sides.
Repeat from new positions
Music: Tilliedudlem on Music Makars: Sing, Dance and Rejoice
Devised by Ilona Stitz (i.stitz [at] onlinehome.de)
February 11, 2009
Anna's Homecoming 8x32 R
ANNA'S HOMECOMING
32-bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple longwise set
1-8 Mirror reels of 3 on the sides, 1st couple dancing in and down to begin, 2nd couple out and up.
9-16 1st couple with nearer hands joined dance down the middle and up, finishing facing out ready for. . .
17-20 Mirror turns 1-1/2 times to change places with the 2nd couple, i.e. 1W and 2W turn RH 1-1/2, 1M and 2M turn LH 1-1/2.
21-24 2nd, 1st, and 3rd couples taking hands on the sides advance and retire
25-32 2nd, 1st, and 3rd couples circle six hands round and back.
Repeat having passed a couple
Music: A frolicsome reel, yet to be determined.
Devised by Lara Friedman-Shedlov (lfriedmanshedlov [at] gmail.com), as a possible entry for the RSCDS "Homecoming Scotland" dance competition, and dedicated in memory of Anna Laino, who left us far too soon. Anna, you'll always be part of the dance.
Anna Laino, 1983-2009, was a member of the RSCDS Twin Cities Branch. A gifted musician, Anna was also fiddler for Duck or Grouse Rapper Sword Dancers. In addition to fiddle, her repertoire of musical instruments included piano, accordion, organ, and trumpet, and she sang like an angel. She completed her Masters in Sacred Music in 2008 and was organist and choirmaster for St. David's Episcopal Church in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
November 18, 2008
Lairds' Chain 8x32 S
THE LAIRDS' CHAIN
32 bar Strathspey for two couples
1-4 First and second couples dance right hands across once around; finish in place, first couple facing down and second couple facing up
5-8 First and second women set and turn with right hands, a three-quarter turn, and finish facing each other; first and second men do the same, to make a line of four across the dance
9-16 Reel of four across the dance
17-20 First and second women, also first and second men, set, and turn with both hands, a three-quarter turn; open out, retaining near hands, and flow into
21-24 second and first couples circle, four hands round to the left; finish on the sidelines
25-32 Second and first couples dance rights and lefts
Repeat, having passed a couple
Tune: Mountain Mist, by A. M. Laird
Devised by Peter McClure (joptmc [at] cc.umanitoba.ca), Winnipeg, March 2003, for Rena and Adam Laird . This dance can be used to introduce relatively new dancers to the reel of four. It is a variation of "The Lairds' Diamond," the reel of four is central to Scottish country dancing, just as Rena and Adam Laird have been central to the local Scottish cultural community for as long as we have known them.
The dance could also be done as a jig; in that case, we suggest skip-change-of-step for the two hand turns at bars 19-20. That may not be according to current RSCDS convention, but it will make the flow into the circle more pleasant. Finally, it could be done as a medley, 32 bars strathspey followed by 32 bars jig for each couple in a three couple set.
Lairds' Diamond 8x32 S
THE LAIRDS' DIAMOND
32 bar Strathspey for two couples
1-4 First couple turn with right hands once around; finish in place, facing down (first man curves round by the right to face down), and second couple face up
5-8 First and second women set and turn with right hands, a three-quarter turn, and finish facing each other; first and second men do the same, to make a line of four across the dance
9-16 Reel of four across the dance
17-20 First and second women, also first and second men, set, and turn with both hands, a three-quarter turn, opening out, retaining near hands, to flow into
21-24 Second and first couples circle, four hands round to the left; finish on the sidelines
25-32 Second and first couples dance a Diamond Poussette (like an all round poussette, except that partners take equal steps in to meet in the centre on the first bar, and couples are covered up and down at the end of the first and fourth bars)
Repeat, having passed a couple
Tune: Mountain Mist, by A. M. Laird
Devised by Peter McClure (joptmc [at] cc.umanitoba.ca), for Rena and Adam Laird, on the occasion of their Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary, 10 April 2003. Rena and Adam were married in Glasgow in 1943, and emigrated to Winnipeg a few years later. A devoted couple - symbolised by the solo turn for the first couple - they have also been very active in their community, both Rena's hospitality and Adam's music being appreciated by many people, including visitors to Winnipeg from faraway parts of the world. The reel of four is central to Scottish country dancing, as they have been central in their community, and the Diamond Poussette salutes their Diamond Anniversary.
Peter McClure, Winnipeg, March 2003
November 3, 2008
Audrey & Peter's Jubilee 3x48 S
AUDREY & PETER'S JUBILEE
48-bar strathspey for 3 couples in a 3-couple set
1 - 4 1st couple turn once round with the right hand and cast off to second place on own sides. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 and 4.
5 - 8 1st man dances a half figure of eight round 3rd couple, passing 3rd lady by the left shoulder to begin. 1st lady dances a half figure of eight round 2nd couple, passing 2nd man by the left shoulder to begin. 1st couple finish in second place on opposite sides. At the same time, 2nd and 3rd couple set to partners and cross over giving right hands.
9 - 12 1st couple turn once and three quarters with the left hand to finish facing partner’s second corner position (1st lady facing 2nd man and 1st man facing 3rd lady).
13 - 16 1st lady with 2nd man and 1st man with 3rd lady dance a half turn giving right hand. 2nd man and 3rd lady turn once and a quarter with the left hand to face their partners (who are in first corner positions).
17 - 20 2nd and 3rd couples dance a half turn giving right hands to their partners. 2nd lady and 3rd man turn once and a quarter with the left hand to face 1st couple (who are in second corner positions).
21 - 24 3rd man with 1st lady and 2nd lady with 1st man dance a half turn giving right hand. 1st couple turn with the left hand to finish with 1st lady between 2nd and 3rd men (in first place), all facing down and 1st man between 2nd and 3rd ladies (in third place), all facing up.
25 - 32 Joining hands, all set in lines of three then dance 6 bar reels of three across the dance, 1st couple giving right shoulder to the dancer on their right to begin the reel. 2nd and 3rd couples should end this reel by dancing loops on the corners.
33 – 40 All dance 6 bar reels of three on the sides of the dance, 1st lady giving left shoulder to 2nd lady and 1st man giving left shoulder to 3rd man to begin the reels. Finish in lines of three across the dance as at the end of bar 24 and joining hands, all set.
41 – 4 8 All dance six hands round to the left to finish with 2nd and 3rd couples on own sides and 1st couple in second place on opposite sides. 1st couple turn once and a half with the right hand.
Finish in the order 312.
Suitable Music: CD Dancers’ Choice 2, Robert Whitehead & the Danelaw Dance Band, Track 6 ‘One for the Millenium’.
Devised by John Brenchley (jbrenchley [at] hatch.com.au) and presented to Audrey and Peter Saunders on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary.
High Society 4x40 R
HIGH SOCIETY
40-bar reel for 4 couples in a 4-couple set
2nd and 4th couples start the dance on opposite sides
1 - 8 All dance reels of four on the sides. On bar 8, 2nd and 3rd couples do not pass left shoulder but curve to their right to face 4th and 1st couples respectively.
9 - 16 1st couple with 3rd couple and 2nd couple with 4th couple dance rights and lefts, commencing by giving right hand on the sides. At the end, 3rd and 2nd couple remain in the centre facing partners and join both hands.
17 - 24 3rd and 2nd couples dance a poussette. Finish in original places.
25 - 28 2nd and 3rd couples dance half figures of eight round 1st and 4th couples respectively. Finish in the order1,2,3,4 with 3rd and 4th couples on opposite sides.
29 - 32 All turn partners once round with the right hand to finish in the middle with 1st and 2nd couples facing up on own sides and 3rd and 4th couple facing down on opposite sides.
33 - 40 1st couple with 2nd couple and 3rd couple with 4th couple dance an allemande. On bar 36, 1st and 4th couples dance along the sides to 3rd and 2nd places respectively to interlock the allemandes. On bar 38, when all couples dance into the centre, the order is 2,4,1,3.
Finish in the order 2,4,1,3 with 4th and 3rd couples on opposite sides.
Suitable Music: CD: A’ the best fae Banffshire Track 15 by Colin Dewar
Devised by John Brenchly (jbrenchley [at] hatch.com.au) and presented to Barbara Boyd on the occasion of her 50th birthday. Barbara has a preference for RSCDS dances and traditional formations, hence the title and style of this dance.
October 20, 2008
Tribute to Fred DeMarse or The Nondescript Carpet Court 8x32 R
A TRIBUTE TO FRED DeMARSE or THE NONDESCRIPT CARPET COURT
32 bar reel for 3 couples in a 4-couple longwise set
1- 8 1st couple cross giving right hands, cast off 2 places, dance up to top Nearer Hands Joined and cast off 1 place. 2nd couple step up 3-4
9-14 Chain Rights & Lefts for 6 bars;
Bars 9-10 1st man changes diagonally giving right hands with 2nd man, while 1st woman changes diagonally giving right hands with 3rd woman.
Bars 11-12 2nd man changes diagonally giving left hands with 3rd man, while 3rd woman changes diagonally giving left hands with 2nd woman.
Bars 13-14 1st man changes diagonally giving right hands with 3rd man, while 1st woman changes diagonally giving right hands with 2nd woman.
15-16 1st couple turn 3/4 right hand to face 2nd corner position, while 2nd and 3rd couples cross giving right hands
17-20 1st couple dance ½ a reel of 4 with 2nd corners, 1st couplet urn left hands approximately 3/4 on bar 20 to face 1st corner position.
21-24 1st couple dance ½ a reel of 4 with 1st corners, 1s dance straight to 2nd place own sides from 1st corners' position on 23-24.
25-32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance 6 hands round and back.
Tune: Alasdair Fraser's Compliments to Lorna Mitchell (Publ. in The Nineties Collection – Saltire Music)
Devised by Duncan Brown (duncanqlnbrown [at] tiscali.co.uk, sometime in 2008. Named in tribute to Fred DeMarse's great teaching of the Highland Class at the 2008 RSCDS Summer School.
The alternative title - The Nondescript Carpet Court refers to an article in the Nov 2008 RSCDS San Francisco Branch Newsletter 'The Reel and Strathspeyper' where Donna Weidenfeller had told of the demise of the chequered carpet tiles of the Chequered Court in University Hall in St Andrews, which have been replaced by nondescript carpeting.
