Summer School

Dances taught at Summer School 2014

by the core teachers 

Bobby Brown Music Apprenticeship at the 2020 TAC Summer School 

July 26 - August 2, 2020

Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Background

Bobby Brown (1941-2011) devoted his life to the playing, researching, recording, and teaching of Scottish Dance Music. As an individual performer, a member of two Scottish Country Dance Bands, the Musical Director of the internationally renowned fiddle troupe The Cape Breton Symphony, and the leader of The Scottish Accent, Bobby Brown was a leading proponent of Scottish Country Dance music and traditional Scottish music in Canada, the United States, Britain, and Europe for over fifty years.

Scope and Purpose
Understanding that cultural preservation is dependent upon the devoted cultivation and transition of knowledge, Bobby Brown encouraged young musicians to learn and preserve the songs and tunes of the Scottish tradition. At workshops and classes, Bobby set aside his performer responsibilities to become an engaging teacher and eagerly instructed participants in the subtle idiomatic nuances of traditional Scottish music. He loved playing, and Scottish music was in his soul.

In his memory, the annual Bobby Brown Music Apprenticeship was initiated in 2015 to provide funding towards the cost for tuition, meals, and accommodation for one musician to attend one of the following:
• A music internship at TAC Summer School
• A music course at TAC Summer School
• A music course at a TAC-recognized Scottish Country Dance event

2019 Bobby Brown Apprentice

Lorraine McCormick, Lethbridge, AB, Canada

Lorraine McCormick, from Lethbridge in southern Alberta, has had a life-long interest in music which she has pursued along different tracks in different places. She began by studying voice and piano, completing senior level Toronto Royal Conservatory exams, before receiving a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Alberta, following up with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge. In London, England, she studied classical guitar. Returning to Lethbridge, she taught piano and music theory, developing a studio of more than forty students of various ages and skill levels.

Her love of singing took her into Sweet Adelines (women's barbershop) with several groups including Edmonton's Gateway Chorus, competing internationally and singing in Carnegie Hall; she also arranged some of the group's performance pieces. More recently, she has taken up the Celtic harp, alto recorder, and English handbells.

She played keyboard with GlenMorin Scottish country dance band before forming her own keyboard and recorder duo ("The Spurtles") which plays for weekly classes and monthly socials of the Lethbridge Scottish country dance club, and also a harp and recorder trio ("Thistle Do") to pursue her love of Celtic music.

Previous Bobby Brown Apprentices

2018 Sarah Thompson, Minneapolis, MN, US
2017 Martha Matthews, Los Angeles, CA, US
2016 Heather Cameron, Plymouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
2015 Mary Ross, Victoria, BC, Canada

The Music Director for the 2020 TAC Summer School will work with one pre-selected lead player /melody instrument (fiddle, accordion, keyboard) on a daily basis in the capacity of private tutor/coach. By the conclusion of the week, the candidate will have all the necessary information and skills to confidently and competently play for a class and future dances. This program could potentially be developed to incorporate additional summer school musicians working in the same manner with piano, bass, drums, or other instruments.

The apprentice program will include:

• Selection of approved and appropriate music for dances
• Tempos
• Opening & Closing Chords (Bow & Curtsey)
• Grace notes & other idiomatic choices
• Phrasing, Dynamics, Interpretation
• Assembling sets/ musical research
• Guiding & assisting the candidate through classes
• Working with teachers
• Afternoon discussions and preparation for following day
• Involving and preparing candidate for participation in evening socials where possible

Eligibility Criteria:
Provided a suitable applicant meets all the following criteria, one award will be made for 2020
• The musician must have demonstrated a genuine interest in Scottish music, preferably with some experience playing Scottish Country Dance Music
• The musician must have a desire to improve his or her musical skills
• The musician must display an appropriate level of technical proficiency on his/her instrument, with the ability to improve musical skills
• The musician must have the passion and commitment to continue to play for and promote the music for Scottish Country Dancing

Application Process:
Next deadline March 31, 2020

A musician may apply for the 2019 Bobby Brown Music Apprenticeship by submitting:

• the completed application form (download Music Application Form)
• a letter of application which addresses each of the above eligibility criteria
• a recording of three tunes; at least two of the tunes should be in the Scottish idiom
• a letter of reference from a Scottish Country Dance teacher, RSCDS Branch, or music teacher

Please submit the application for the 2020 Bobby Brown Music Apprenticeship by email to Kathy Simonsen, Director of TAC Summer Events 2020, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by  March 31, 2020
Please include the applicant's surname and the phrase 2020 Music Intern in the email subject line and in the file names of attachments.

Selection Process:

• Applications for the 2020 Bobby Brown Music Apprenticeship received by the deadline will be reviewed by a committee of the Teachers' Association (Canada) including, but not limited to: TAC Chair, TAC Treasurer, TAC Summer Events Director, and TAC Summer School Music Director.
• The award will be presented to the recipient in the form of a pre-paid scholarship (to a maximum of the cost of the full-week resident registration fee, including meals and accommodation, dependent on the value of funds available)
• A recipient can only be awarded the scholarship once
• Following the 2020 TAC Summer School, the recipient will forward a report on his/her experience to the Teachers' Association (Canada) for publication in the next issue of TACTalk

Direct any queries to the Director of Summer School, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 TAC Summer Events Registration Information 2017

for TWO events at
University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

TAC Teachers' Conference Weekend (TCW)  21 - 23 July  2017

and

TAC Summer School Week (SS)  23 - 30 July 2017

see below for eligibility to attend these events

Registration period ended 20 June

Registration period 15 February - 20 June 2017
Registrations received and paid by 15 April 2017 will receive a 10% discount

When you are ready to register,
proceed directly to Summer Event Registration Form 2017  
Login not required

see Fee Schedule below

TAC Teachers' Conference Weekend (TC Weekend) 21 – 23 July 2017
Eligibility:  Teachers of Scottish Country Dance who are paid-up Members of TAC are eligible to attend the TAC Teachers' Conference Weekend and Annual General Meeting.  Contact the TAC Membership Secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you are uncertain about your current TAC Membership status or re-new online using the TAC Membership page.  Lapsed members can register for TCW, but TAC Membership must be current at the time of TCW attendance in July.

The TC Weekend commences with afternoon registration and dinner on Friday 21 July and ends with an afternoon discussion session on Sunday 23 July.  See TCW Programme 2017 for further information.
Attendees can register as Residents (on-campus meal and accommodation package included) or as Non-residents (partial meal package and no accommodation).

TC Weekend Resident Registration Fee for TAC Members includes:
all meals from Friday dinner 21 July through Sunday lunch 23 July
2 nights' accommodation (single-occupancy rooms) on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 July
Friday evening social dance 21 July and Saturday evening ball 22 July
Saturday afternoon AGM (TAC Members only)
dance classes Saturday morning and Sunday morning (TAC Members only)
discussion group Sunday afternoon (TAC Members only) 

TC Weekend Non-Resident Registration Fee for TAC Members includes:
all the above events with a meal package of Saturday lunch, Saturday banquet, Sunday lunch but no accommodation.

Companion Resident Registration Fee for Non-members includes:
attendance at the two TCW evening social events and the full meals and accommodation package for a companion who is accompanying a TAC Member to TCW

TCW Partial Attendance for TAC Members not attending full TCW weekend:
TCW Friday Evening Dance:
walk-in fee of $20 per person for a TAC Member and for one dancer companion of a TAC Member; paid at the door, no prior notification required
TCW Saturday Evening Reception, Banquet, and Ball:
Saturday 22 July at $125 per person for a TAC Member and for one companion.  Contact the Registrar by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with name(s) starting 1 May to request a ticket; information will then be provided on ticket availability and how to pre-pay the ticket(s).  Request period ends 20 June .

TAC Summer School Week (SS Week) 23 – 30 July 2017
Eligibility:  Summer School is open to all Scottish Country Dancers from basic to advanced and from beginner to experienced.

The SS Week commences with afternoon registration and dinner followed by an evening social dance on Sunday 23 July.
The finale is the evening Ball on Saturday 29 July.  Brunch will be available on Sunday 30 July for those who do not have an early departure time.
See Summer School Programme 2017 for further information.
Attendees can register as Residents (on-campus meal and accommodation package included) or as Non-residents (no accommodation and partial meal package)

SS Week Resident Dancer Registration Fee includes:

• all meals from Sunday dinner July 29th through Sunday breakfast August 5th
  
• 7 nights' accommodation from Sunday July 29th through Saturday August 4th
  
• 4 evening SCD dances and Saturday evening Ball on August 4th
  
• 2 evenings of entertainment (Contra dance and ceilidh)
• 6 morning SCD dance classes (Monday through Saturday)
• choice of 4 dance levels of instruction
• Saturday afternoon ball walk-through
• Optional classes on four afternoons
  

SS Week Non-resident Registration Fee includes:
all the above events, a meal package of lunches on Monday through Friday and Saturday banquet, but no accommodation

SS Week Resident Non-dancer includes:
attendance at evening functions and the full meal and accommodation package for companions not attending morning or afternoon classes

Summer School partial attendance and walk-in options (with fees)

Summer School Weekend-Only Resident:
includes 2 night's accommodation (Friday and Saturday 28 and 29 July), all meals from Friday dinner to Sunday brunch, Friday evening social dance, Saturday events (morning class, afternoon ball walk-through, banquet and ball).  Weekend Dancer fee is $395 and the Weekend Non-dancer fee is $350.  On-line registration opens 16 April 2017.

Summer School Reception, Banquet, and Ball for Dancers not attending SS (and a companion):
Saturday 29 July at $125 per person, if space permits.  Contact the Registrar by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with name(s) starting 1 May to request a ticket; tickets will be assigned on a first come-first served basis as long as space permits, and information will then be provided on how to pay once tickets are assigned.  Request period ends 20 June.

Summer School Sunday through Friday Social Evenings:
walk-in fee of $20 per person per evening to be paid at the door; no prior notification required.

ALL dancers under the age of 18 years are required to attend with a parent or guardian
who will be responsible for them for the duration of the Summer Event.

Fee Schedule for TC Weekend (TCW)  and Summer School (SS) Week
Registration period 15 February through 20 June 2017.
The fee schedule below lists the Regular Registration fee.
Participants registering and paying from 15 February through 15 April 2017 will receive a 10% discount.

All prices are per person.  All rooms are single occupancy.
Each attendee registers and pays separately.
All prices are in CANADIAN $$ and include the Canadian Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% and the British Columbia Provincial Accommodation Sales Tax (PST) of 8%
All registrations will be submitted on-line with on-line payment by credit card or PayPal.
Registrants can use a single registration process to register for either TCW or SS or for both TCW and SS.

Additional night's accommodation
Registrants who plan to arrive a day early (Thursday 20 July for TCW or Saturday 22 July for SS) or depart a day later (staying overnight Sunday 23 July after TCW or Sunday 30 July after SS) can purchase additional accommodation and breakfast for the extra nights at CAD$56 per night per person.  If participants want to be certain of being accommodated in the same room on the extra night(s) as for the event being attended, the extra accommodation must be reserved and paid at the time of event registration.

Cancellation: All refunds on or before 20 June 2017 will incur a $50 administration fee.
NO REFUNDS will be given after 20 June 2017 under any circumstances.
Participants are strongly advised to have suitable insurance to cover any loss of fees in the event of illness, injury, inability to attend, delayed arrival, early departure, or other circumstances.

ConTACt the TAC Summer Events 2017 Committee
A single committee is organizing both the Teachers' Conference Weekend (TCW) and Summer School (SS)
Director:   Fiona Miller (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Assistant Director:  Tine MacKay (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Registrar:   Gail Michener (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Treasurer:   Sandy Gallamore (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Local Committee Convenor:  Fran Caruth (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

TAC Summer Events

Teachers' Conference Weekend  29 - 31 July 2016
Summer School Week  31 July - 7 August 2016

2600 College St., Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1M 1Z7, Canada

Accommodation in Paterson Hall at Bishop's University

2016 TAC Summer Events participants will be housed in Paterson Hall, an L-shaped, four-story, air-conditioned residence within the campus of Bishop's University, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.  Accomodation is suite style, with four bedrooms per suite, three with single beds and one with a double bed.  Each suite includes a kitchen, lounge, dining area, and two bathrooms.
Smoking is banned on campus in all public buildings including student residences.  Smoking is also banned outdoors within 9 m of any door leading to a campus building and in other designated non-smoking areas.

TAC Teachers' Conference Weekend (TCW) registration fee includes two night's accommodation (Friday 29 and Saturday 30 July); departure date Sunday 31 July
TAC Summer School (SS) registration fee includes seven night's accommodation (Sunday 31 July through Saturday 6 August); departure date Sunday 7 August
Combined TCW and SS registration fee includes nine night's accommodation (Friday 29 July through Saturday 6 August); departure date Sunday 7 August
For information on reserving an extra night's accommodation (with meals) before TCW (Thursday 28 July) or SS (30 July) or after TCW (31 July) go to Extra Options 2016.

For directions and a campus map for Bishop's University, consult the University's Directions and Maps web page.

What's in the four-bedroom suite?

Each suite has a maximum capacity of 5 people and contains:

4 bedrooms; three single-occupancy rooms with a single bed and one double-occupancy room with a double bed
2 bathrooms, each with shower and one with bath
kitchen with oven, refrigerator, cutlery/crockery for 5 people (but no toaster, microwave, or coffee maker)
dining area
lounge with openable windows
Wi-Fi wireless network

What's in the bedroom?

Each bedroom contains:

one bed (single in 3 of the rooms and double in 4th room)
linens and towels (additional blankets and towels available from Paterson front desk)
desk and chair
bureau and closet (no coat hangers, so bring your own)
nightstand and lamp
openable window

What's in the building?

large common lounge on the main floor available at all times, including evening hospitality
alcohol is permited in non-public areas
small TV room per floor
laundry facilities on main floor ($1.25 per wash cycle, $1.25 per drying cycle)
laundry card and laundry supplies purchasable at Paterson front desk
hair dryer, iron, ironing board available on loan from Paterson front desk
Wi-Fi wireless network throughout the residence