FOLK DANCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 February 1939, Page 8

FOLK DANCES

REVIVAL IN MODERN TIMES LIKED BY CHILDREN. NOTABLE PROGRESS RECORDED IN AMERICA. “Modern Revival of the Folk Dance” is the title of an excellent article by Alice Hayden in the “Research Quarterly” (published by the American Physical Education Association).

“Great musicians of the world today.” she writes, “have been affected by the modern revival of the folk dance. In fact, many of them have helped to stimulate and advance this movement. They have wanted to bring new material into their music, something that is different, so they have turned to the music of the folk people. They have revived the folk music of the old masters, such as Wagner, Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms with such success that the public is always ready to hear it. Percy Grainger has probably done more for this cause than any other musician of this age. No musical programme is complete without the playing of an old traditional folk song or dance of some nation. “The public schools of America have been affected by the modern revival of the folk dance. They realise its importance to the needs of the-child and have developed it along with their physical education programmes. So far, only the larger school systems have adopted a definite plan for folk dancing in their physical education programmes, but the smaller schools are gradually building up this part of their recreational programme. “All modern educators realise that the child is peculiarly responsive to the appeal made by rhythm. They also realise that folk dancing ‘is a moderate and healthful form of exercise and has valuable social contact. It gives opportunity for learning by doing rather than being told how to do things. It is a great pleasure to the child to be allowed this delightful experience; at the same time he is developing skill and bodily control. “Elizabeth Burchenal, chairman of the • organisation committee of American Folk Dancing, is in charge of s festival given each year by the girls of the Public School Athletic League. This festival is given at Central Park, New York City, and requires a meadow of twenty-five acres, forty policemen, and two hundred Boy Scouts. There is no effort to give a performance, but ten thousand children enjoy a happy, beautiful, play time together. The nations of the world are-represen-ted on this occasion in song, dance, costume, and spirit. Many of the children dance the folk dances in costumes worn by them or their mothers in their native lands; so it is easy to realise the vigor and spirit they put into this wonderful festival!

“Folk dancing is especially good for the average school boy of the world. Boys need rhythmic training and respond to it as readily as girls. They like best the clogs, Indian dances, the dances of Robin Hood. These dances are done without self-consciousness, and may be given to any group of boys.

“The development of the modern playground movement has been a great help to folk dancing. The playgrounds all over the United States have introduced folk dancing into their programmes. Like all the other organisations, they realise the value of folk dancing, and have undertaken to give to the children the best possible training along this line. The children respond better than other groups when folk dancing tunes are played. The playground leaders of America are seeking instruction • in folk dancing so that it may become one of the most important activities in the national movement.”