I was going to ask where you are; if you had been in hollering distance I would recommend that you get Phil and Vivian Williams to come and do their workshop on this very topic. Their tapes include a lot of contrad dance-type music.

It sounds like you are not as beginning as you think. People have mentioned needing as bass or keyboard for rhythm; it's hard to have too many rhythm guitars either. And the band leader does need to coordinate with the caller, with clear pre-established signals for the other players.

try to get photocopies of other bands' medleys. I have one book from the Portland (OR) area but I don't have it here.

You do need someone to play lead, usually fiddle, and you say your fiddler is a beginner. Can he/she carry the tune? If the fiddler/harmonica player/mandolinist keeps the tune going everyone else can follow on photocopies or just use chord charts of the song eg:

G for 2/C for 4/D for 2/ etc.

Hope this helps. Great thread.

MA