Paris Artists Evolve Astounding Modes To Meet Needs of The Moment

NZ Truth, Issue 1239, 29 August 1929, Page 10

Paris Artists Evolve Astounding Modes To Meet Needs of The Moment

POSITION OF PUBLIC

. ■ *■ Society's Functions

AND TEACHER

Wlio- Decides What Will Be The Popular Dance?,

(By Miss Phyllis Bates— Member of Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, Ballroom Branch, London.)

Last week's article reviewed briefly the history of modern dancing and made clear the distinction between the "old-time" and the modern dances, which are all governed by the new natural technique.

I BELIEVE it is a fact that m the "olden" days it was the teachers

public

who dictated what the should dance.

When a new dance waa decided upon, the public were told what had' to be danced for that particular season.

Since the advent of modern dancing, however, all this has changed, and it ia the public who decide what they will' have.

It Is not always possible to say how dances originate, but . of late years most of . our inspirations have come from - the American stage— a new rhythm and a new movement featured on the stage that has caught the public , fancy and has become the "rage" m every ballroom for a time at least.

Thus it is that the public have decided what they want, while the dancing teachers have seen to it that they get it m a manner consistent with our British standards.

Commencing with the Pox- trot, which made its appearance iri, 1914, the public insisted on dancing to 4/4 time music and really revelled m twinkjes and "shimmies," biit the teachers have given ,118.. that most graceful dance, the open three-step Fox-trot which we know to-day.

Quick-time came next, and to-day we have our Quickstep. The Charleston presented a great affront to the established ballroom traditions and technique, but created a greater furore than ever. •• *;••■ ■■■.-.''■' ■'■■ But the teachers brought forth a "flat" Charleston, which has since been whittled down more and .more, until now "Charleston" is little" more than a name to a step m the Quickstep.

The Yale Blues might at first appear to be an exception, but here it was a case of fifty-fifty. It was a new dance to an old rhythm. A teacher provided the dance which revived m popularity a rhythm which the public already knew.

The original "Yale" has gone, but the Blues rhythm is still, popular to. a certain extent.

However, m the case of the waltz, I think it can definitely be said that the teachers have created the modern -Waltz without any special lead: or 'demand from the public. . ;.v>y <i v r? v ,

If it had not 'been for the fact that the "Waltz rhythm has always been popular, the dance would not have developed as it has done:'

On the other ■■ hand, . dances such as the Heebie Jeebies, Sugar Step, Baltimore- 'etc., sponsored by individual teachers, have made, no impression whatever.

It is apparent that nowadays the

public decide what dance rhythms they prefer, and the teachers supply the dances to those rhythms.

This brings us to consider the scope and functions of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.

The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing is the most influential body of its kind m the world, and, with the exception of the Operatic Society, whch does not deal wth ballroom dancing, it Is the only one of ribte m England.

It has Cechetti, Greek, General and. Ballroom branches. Leaders of note of the various branches form the committee, and conferences are held every year for the purpose of general research m technique, the giving of lectures

ahd demonstrations, and, m the case pf ballroom dancing, deciding which variations and changes- m established dances are acceptable.

Expert demonstrations of and lectures m all the standard dances are given, and the trend of each dance is thoroughly explained.

Periodically,, examinations are held. The examiners are appointed by members of "the committee. Candidates for admission to the! society must pass to be admitted. New dances do not f ornrt a subject of examination, but candidates are examined m the theory and practice of the standard dances, Fox-trot, Quickstep, Waltz and; Tango.

, The committee has the right of refusing or cancelling membership to teachers whose, professional behavior, or whose, work, is not calculated to improve the status of the profession.

This year m England, owing" to the fact that many children m the schools are taught by persons who in* some cases have neither the time nor the inclination to make a sufficient study m ballroom dancing, the ballroom branch is instituting children's examinations.

The Imperial Society keeps its members advised continuously of all developments m dancing. This is a wonderful service, as members are kept m touch with all the changes that take place and have the opinions of all the leaders of the profession.

T'he ballroom branch of the society is now taking a stand against the introduction of new dances, unless they are likely to have a public appeal.