Program Planning

These notes on Program Planning are drawn from Teme Kernerman’s “Teacher Workshop” material, and are being  used with her approval.

Programming is of prime importance.  Poor programming can spoil the entire session.  Good programming will set the mood and make the session enjoyable.  Be flexible and once you are comfortable with your role as programmers, use discretion as to which dances you choose.  

1.	Put your personal preferences aside and choose what is right for the group.  Your choice of dances is most important in order to encourage, build co-ordination and group spirit.  The group should feel that they are capable,  and that they are achieving.  Keep in mind that the program must be balanced to feed different levels of difficulty depending on who is participating.  If appropriate, choose dances with similar steps so that the program will build with minimum effort.  THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR BEGINNERS.

2.	PACE DANCES—not too many fast or slow together.  Build the evening.  You will feel the atmosphere and mood of the session.  Keep a constant watch.  If a lot of people are sitting, are stepping out of the dances, or are struggling with the steps/formations, that is an indication that something is wrong and you had better do something fast.  Playing a dance that everyone knows will help to remedy the situation.  After all, everyone is there to dance.

3.	ALTERNATE your dances.  Arrange your program so that there is a mix of slow, medium and fast dances.  A variety of circles, lines and couples, should be played during the evening.  Some countries have mixers and trio dances that are easy and fun to do.  Incorporate a flavourful variety of dances into your program.

4.	CLASSIFY your dances according to circle, couples, mixers, trios and lines.  This will help in selecting your program and in making quick substitutions.

5.	ARRANGE the dances so that formations follow smoothly.  Playing a couple dance after a trio or a trio after a couple dance makes for an unpleasant situation in that people have to scramble to complete the required formation.  Also, it is best not to open the program with a couple/trio dance.  In most situations it’s better to start with some simple non-partnered dances and save the couple/trio dances for a little later in the session.

6.	Attitude and friendliness comes from the top.  Be pleasant and courteous to those who come with specific requests, while still maintaining control of the planned dances.  Atmosphere should be relaxed, fun, friendly and social.

7.	WARM-UP  It’s nice to have “mood” music playing as people arrive.  This sets the atmosphere.  Play music that relates to the evening but be careful not to play dances that people know or your evening will start before it is supposed to.  The first dance is important.  A familiar circle dance to get everyone dancing is a good beginning.  It is best to choose slower dances to warm up the dancers.  Then move into medium and faster paced material.

8.	REQUESTS  Put up a request sheet.  This gives participants the opportunity to request dances of their choice.  The programmer PLANS the requests.  Use the group’s suggestions but you might need to throw in a few of your own choices to keep the majority involved.  The request list can be utilized throughout the evening.  You may not have enough time to play all the requests in one evening.  If applicable, keep the list for the next session.

9.	CLOSING (COOL DOWN)  Treat the last few minutes (3 dances) as a “cool down” period.  Let people know that it is the last dance.  Choose a familiar dance so that everyone will join in.  Medium to slow circle dances are best played at this time.

10.	Ask for help if you are unfamiliar with a dance, or if you want someone to lead a quick walk through or to call the steps.  Even experienced programmers ask for help when they need it.

Additional Details

11.	Arrive in plenty of time to check out the facility and set up the equipment (if applicable).

12.	Discuss intermission and when refreshments are to be served, so that you can arrange your program accordingly.  If you are unfamiliar with the group, this should be discussed ahead of time.

13.	BE AWARE OF SAFETY ISSUES such as slippery floors, chairs or tables which might obstruct the dance floor, any possible electrical cord placement that could cause tripping.  You don’t want an accident on your hands.