TRADITIONAL  DANCE AND MUSIC OF QUEBEC AND FRANCE
FOR HIGH SCHOOL FRENCH LANGUAGE STUDENTS 

Traditional Dances of Latin America for High School Spanish Students 

Traditional Dances of Germany, Italy, Russia and Other Parts of the World 

Square dancing originated in France!  When settlers from France and western Europe came to the new world, they brought their quadrilles (square dance formation), their fiddles and their dances.  The cultural heritage of Francophone America is brought to life in this dynamic participatory workshop.  Accompanied by the energetic Quebecois fiddling of George Wilson and the pulsating rhythmic piano and guitar of Peter Davis, Paul Rosenberg leads high school French students through a series of lively dances as he points out the origin of such phrases as “do-si-do” (which was originally “dos à dos” – back-to-back).  Dances are in square, circle, and contra formations.  This multidisciplinary workshop encompasses language, history, geography, physical education and, of course, music! 

In Latin America, some dances were brought over by Spanish colonists, and others are ancient dances of native peoples who were influenced by Spanish culture. Many of these dances tend to be very energetic and lots of fun!

We also teach dances from Germany, Italy, Russia and more than thirty other countries around the world.

FIDDLE FOR ORCHESTRA STUDENTS

Master fiddler George Wilson has developed a program for working with musicians in school orchestra programs. Students will be introduced to and instructed in the nuances of traditional fiddle styles.

George has an extensive background playing tunes from Quebec   (as well as Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton/Nova Scotia, Appalachia, Scandinavia and the Shetland Islands). These traditional tunes include reels, jigs, hornpipes, schottisches, marches, polkas and waltzes.

During instruction, George will focus on the rhythms and accents that give this traditional music its distinct feel. Sheet music for melody and harmony/accompaniment will be provided; George will also employ the more traditional method of teaching tunes by ear.  Students will learn melody, harmony and accompaniment for each tune. The details of bowing, ornamentation, rhythm, and accents idiomatic to a style or tune will then be added.

These workshops, rehearsals and sessions can be integrated with history and geography units as well as being aligned with the New York State Learning Standards in the areas of multicultural and traditional music, improvisation and playing solo or in an ensemble.