https://doi.org/10.1177/1048371320942278 General Music Today 1–3 © National Association for Music Education 2020 DOI:10.1177/1048371320942278 journals.sagepub.com/home/gmt Column Here, we will explore an older music and dance tradition known as čoček (choh-chek) in Macedonia, or kjuček (kyoo-chek) in Bulgaria among other names in Albania, Serbia, Croatia, and Kosovo in the Balkan Peninsula. This particular music and dance tradition is often associated to the Rom, or Roma people, sometimes referred to as Gypsies. 1 Rom society is believed to have originated in India. From the 11th century, likely due to racial and reli- gious persecution, Roma families began migrating west- ward. By the 15th century, Rom communities were found throughout Europe, and today Rom families live through- out the world. The Roma have experienced a long history of discrimination likely based on typical racism toward darker skin color and perceived (but not real) differences. Throughout contemporary Roma communities, there is a strong connection to music and dance with a reputation and history of virtuosity unmatched in other culture groups. The demand for and popularity of Roma musicians throughout the Balkans persist despite a xenophobic atti- tude toward the Rom. For instance, in Bulgaria laws were passed that prohibited Roma musicians from working con- tracted music gigs as non-Roma were not receiving the invitations to play as frequently. This did not change the desire for Rom musicians at events, rather it forced Roma to play under the table for far less than their White counter- parts who could work as union-type musicians. A title from Keil’s (2002) musing on music participation, They Want the Music, But They Don’t Want the People, 2 fits this dilemma. Roma music and musicians were and are sought after, but for their service rather than their human existence. Playing, Singing, and Dancing the Čoček As a music and dance genre with multiple variations in different countries and cultures, there is much opportu- nity to explore the particular nuances of a čoček. With slight changes in hand motions, shoulder shakes, and small stepping patterns, the dance is accessible to chil- dren all the way through adults. Čoček was originally a solo dance, but after all of the social and governmental upheaval in the Balkans in the 1990s, 3 social norms were relaxed. This led to new hybridized forms of the dance such as turbo-folk, chalga, and manele being enjoyed by everyone. It is still a popular solo dance style, but also has many choreographed versions to dance as a group. One of the most popular dance styles played at weddings throughout the Balkans, Silverman (2003) noted other events where the dance appears such as “circumcisions 4 , housewarmings, soldier-send-off celebrations, and calendri- cal celebrations such as saints’ days” (p. 125). Commonly played instruments in such settings include violin, oud, dajre (frame drum with jingles), clarinet, trumpet, accordion, darabuka (goblet drum), and often singing. Following are directions for dancing a čoček in different forms, starting with a simple version and working to a more stylized option. Simple Čoček Formation Open-ended circle, facing center of circle. The open- ended shape allows the leader to wind the circle on the inside, like a coiled snake. Students of all ages enjoy this and the inevitable need to unwind the coil by reversing the direction and passing closely by all of the dancers/ classmates. 942278GMT XX X 10.1177/1048371320942278General Music TodayHoward research-article 2020 1 University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, USA Corresponding Author: Karen Howard, University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Avenue BEC5, St. Paul, MN 55105, USA. Email: karen.howard@stthomas.edu Variations on a Dance of the Roma Karen Howard 1 Abstract Explore a music and dance tradition known as čoček in Macedonia, and by other names in Bulgaria. Albania, Serbia, and throughout the Balkan Peninsula. This tradition is long associated with the Roma people who carry a reputation of music virtuosity. Suggestions for using the dance and music in elementary and secondary general music classes are offered as well as options for listening. Keywords Balkans, čoček, darabouka, folk dance, Roma