Briefings at formal balls?

Smith, Kent

Message 14297 · 5 Nov 1998 17:23:53 · Fixed-width font · Whole thread

This thread about the number of MCs began with several observations about
the problems of having multiple MCs: one, a concern for the pace of events,
including the length of intervals, and another, the fact that the band has
to develop rapport with multiple briefers.

I understand why one person might not want to and might not be able to do a
good job of briefing every dance on a lengthy program, but there can be
multiple briefers and still one overall "master of ceremonies" who takes
charge of the general pace of the event, watches that intervals don't drag
on too long, stays attuned to the needs of the dancers and band, acts as the
point person for comments about tempos and sound, defines the general
procedures for announcing and organizing the next dance (8 bars of music
followed by the announcement to form sets or vice versa, etc.), etc. Being
a briefer is not the same as being an MC.

I'm neutral on the number of briefers, having had delightful evenings with
one and with many. But I have seen lots of problems with multiple MCs.
Changing MCs during an interval too often means the baton will be dropped
and we'll wait too long while it's being picked up again.

Kent (Connecticut, USA)