CANTON -- TAUNY invites local musicians who have a strong sense rhythm and are comfortable playing their acoustic melody or chording instruments to join Gretchen Koehler and The Madstop Fiddlers to form a community Contra Dance Band for a dance at The TAUNY Center on Friday, March 29.

Rehearsals for this band are Saturday mornings Feb. 2 and 23, March 9 and 16 at The TAUNY Center in Canton. Tuning, warm-up, and informal jamming from 10-10:30 a.m.

Rehearsal will begin promptly at 10:30 am-noon.

The four rehearsals will be run as workshops, each offering specific "dance band techniques" (alternate chords, Quebec foot percussion, harmonies, etc.) and how to connect the music directly to the dance formations.

Musicians will be given what they need to work on tunes at home including sheet music, chord charts, and a CD of the tunes played slowly/full dance tempo.

Attendance at all four rehearsals is not required, but highly recommended.

Each of the four rehearsals will cover different tunes and specific arrangements.

At the dance, players will perform on whichever of the tune arrangements they have learned at rehearsals, and are welcome to join the dance or just listen in on others.

Musicians will need to bring their instrument, a 1-inch three-ring binder, and a pencil to the rehearsals.

A recording device is highly recommended.

Chairs and music stands will be available in the TAUNY Center classroom (upstairs).

RSVP is requested to Gretchen Koehler at gretchenkoehlermusic@gmail.com for a list of tunes, a link to a sound file, and more info about the first rehearsal on Feb. 2 and/or later rehearsals if you’re not able to attend the first one.