Square Dance Federation of Minnesota

Central East Region

Callers and Cuers

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Swingmasters: The CE Region Callers Association

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* Caller is a Swingmaster Member

Caller and Cuer Organizations

            In this section we will try to identify and explain the basic function of the different caller and cuer organizations.  The associations that are most prevalent are:  Swingmasters, MSDCA, MRDC, CALLERLAB and ROUNDALAB.  You can click on the organization name to visit their web site.

 Swingmasters:

            Minnesota is divided into six (6) square and round dance regions.  These regions are:  Central East (CE), Central West (CW), Northeast (NE), Northwest (NW) Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW).

            Each of the regions has its own callers’ association.  The CE Region’s association is called Swingmasters.  The members of Swingmasters provide callers for the Regional Meetings/Dances within our region.  Members also meet with other regions’ associations to exchange ideas and report on dancing activities in their region.  Their annual last Saturday dance in January is known as Mid Winter Magic.  They have generously provided some of the financial assistance to the CE Region for our new lesson Voice Mail phone number and other occasions.

 MSDCA:

            MSDCA is short for Minnesota Square Dance Caller’s Association.  This organization is our state’s callers association.  Most callers in the state and some from surrounding states belong to MSDCA.  The organization does basically the same as the regional callers associations except they concentrate more on a state level.  The executive secretary writes a monthly article for The ROUNDUP to keep dancers informed.

            MSDCA with a little financial help from the State Federation holds annual caller seminars to keep the callers up-to-date on what is happening in the square dance world.  MSDCA programs the callers (state and national) for our state conventions.

 MRDC:

            MRDC is the Minnesota Round Dance Council.  This organization was founded in 1975.  They hold four (4) business meetings a year, which are usually short with most of the time spent working on round dances.  During the meetings four (4) each of Phase II, Phase III, and Phase IV rounds are presented by various teachers.  From the list members cast their vote for the round dance of the month to be taught throughout the state.  The council also sponsors an annual seminar for round dance instructors

 CALLERLAB:

            CALLERLAB is an international callers association.  MSDCA and most callers on an individual basis belong to this organization.  CALLERLAB holds an annual convention where various training classes are held along with committee meetings.  They also define and decide on square dance moves.  Quarterly selections are voted on, with input from dancers.  They also review the list of calls and remove unused moves and add new moves as voted on by members.

 ROUNDALAB:

            ROUNDALAB, like CALLERLAB is an international organization for round dance teachers, and is open to all teachers at all levels.  Members have an obligation to actively maintain the heritage and desirability of the activity.  They are obligated to encourage dancers to support this heritage.

            As with most organizations, members of the above named organizations strive to work for a standardization of dancing and terminology used in their profession.  They also work to keep new ideas within the capabilities of the dancers and encourage participation in all levels of the activity.