The magazine of COUNTRY THE COUNrRY DANCE AND SONG SOCIETY· OF AMERICA EDITOR DANCE May Ge.dd ASSOCIATE EDITOR AND John J. Dunn ART EDITOR SONG Genevieve Shimer

COUNTRY DANCE AND SONG is published once a year - with supplementary Newsletters. Subscription is by membership in the Country Dance and Song Society of America.. Annual dues $5. Educational institutions and libraries $3. Inquiries and subscrip­ tions should be sent to the Secretary at 55 Christopher Street, New York, N.Y. 10014

Copyright 1968 by the Country Dance Society 1 Inc. Contents Page Country Dance and Song Magazine. • • • • • 3 Newport Festival••••••••••••••••••••• 4 Benefit Parties •••••••••••••••••••••• 5 Celebration •••••••••••••••••••• -•••••• 5 From Riches to Rags: Joy Van Cleef ••• 6 Firemen's Dance•••••••••••••••••••••• 9 Young CDSS Members Teach ••••••••••••• 10 Folk School Director retires ••••••••• 12 Norman Singer•••••••••••••••••••••••• 13 Irish Folk Music Todey: Sandra Teti 14 and Niall Ma.cDonagh A Visit Remembered ••••••••••••••••••• 16 Dance Demonstrations for Young People 17 More Pah than 06m •••••••••••••••••••• 18 Oranges and Lemons ••••••••••••••••••• 19 MOrris Tour •••••••••••••••••••• 19-20-21 A ~ca.tl Morris... • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22 CDSS Badge•••••••·~··•••••••••••••••• 22 General News...... •••• 23-24-25 Wedding on a Mountain •••••••••••••••• 26 Dance in Psychotherapy:M.Dickenson ••• 28 Folk Music Club••••••••••••••••••••••~32 In Memoriam•••••••••••••••••••••••••• 33 Book Reviews••••••••••••••••••••••••• 34 Library and Sales •••••••••••••••••••• 39

2 £NGLISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY COUNTRY DANCE AND SONG 18100 Monte Bello Road M,tga.rlnenia 95014

We have fiDal.ly accomplished the first number of our magazine in its new format. With you, we wish that there had not been this long delay, but it was unavoidable. With your help1 we expect to keep up to date with newsletters &Qd magazine~ from now on. But we do need your help.

Will all of our members become gatherers of news items and articles? This would rea.J.ly help production. It means something more than sending in a calendar of events or a news item contained in a general letter. The news item1 or Eli'ticle, needs to be written out in a form suitable for reproduction (clear handwriting or double spaced typing 1 please~. Natural.ly1 we will have it re-typed and, because of limitations of spaee, :may have to do some editing. But it will help if you will do some editing first. Humorous items and good photographs are always welcome.

We do not know if you will feel that all items included in, this number are of interest to you1 or if you feel that there are omissions. If so, write and tell us. This is your magazine and we n.nt it to reflect your interests as they touch the field of our Society. Our Society is for all age groups. We have never been divided into young and old - or middle-aged (which apparently now be­ gins at about 25. ) We want to continile to be happy together and to have something for everyone.

We Wish to thank those people who sent in articles .and other items of inter­ est. Their names are in the body of the magazine. We just need more of you. The next publication Will be a Newsletter in the Fall. Natural.ly 1 articles sent in will be saved for the next magazine 1 but news items will be needed by early October. Send us in accounts of any dance or music activities in which you participated dur­ ing the summer and any plans that you have for the Fall. Anyone connected with dance or music groups is especial.ly asked to send in an outline of plans for the new season.

In conclusion, we should like to voice an especial appreciation of the work of JOHN J. DUNN in connection with this magazine. Mr. Dunn has been working part­ time in our office while on leave of absence from college teaching. His reviewing of books received, and his general editing have been invaluable. M.G.

ANY MORE APPLICANTS?

Joachim Foikis1 36, has been awarded a $3 1 500 grant from the Canada Council to serve as town fool of Vancouver.

The Council described his activities as making a "serious contribution to the self-awareness of the entire community. Dreased in traditional fool's motley in Vancouver's Courthouse Square, he has nursery rhymes for the children and meta­ physical riddles for adults." 3 were served in a marquee in the grounds NEWPORT FESTIVAL of the main house, and the after per­ formance hours offered wonderful ex­ Until 1967 the Newport Folk Fes­ amples of folk singers singing and play tival had been almOst entirely dedicated ing to one another after they had fin­ to the cause of folk music, ut this ished entertaining the large crowds of last summer the Festival Board decided general public. to devote the two first days of the week to folk dance. A letter from the program Performers for our M:mday dance director, Ralph Rinzler stated that the demonstration came mainly from the Board of Directors "felt it would be Boston Centre of CDSS, with the program fitting to invite individual callers arranged by May Ge.dd in cooperation wit and or~nizations which have played a Art Cornelius. It was presented in two significant role in the urban dance re­ parts, with general dancing in between. vival in this country, and that it would be appropriate for us to begin a formal Part 1 program with a demonstration by the , Country Dance Society, i .nasmuch as yours Processional WINSTER is the olmest such organization in this Morris Dances BALANCE THE STRAW country." lEAP FROG

Plans were made to hold perform­ Country Dances ARGEERS ances and informal dancing on the Mon­ NEWCASTlE day evening and workshops on Tuesday MORPETH RANT morning and afternoon. Performances of English dances were given by our Society Sword Dance NEWBIGG!lli and of Balkan dances by the North East Folk Dance Ensemble of Cambridge. Eng­ Pa.rt2 lish dances for general dancing and for the workshops were presented by Art Country Dances CUMBERlAND SQUARE EIGHT Cornelius and May Ga.dd, American by PICKING UP STICKS Ralph Page and Margaret Mayo, and gen­ eral folk danci.ng by the Hermans of Morris Jig IlilliES PLEASURE New York and the Taylors of Boston. Morris Dance BRIGID'ON CAMP

It should have attracted a large Circle Dance SELLENGERS ROUND crowd but the weather Qid not cooperate. and exit It rained steadily for the two days, and as the only shelter that the Festival The Newport Folk Festival is an grounds can offer is on the stage, only important force in arousing interest those who could find accommodation on in f olk music and in its use today. The the stage were present. So the dancers big evening concerts give the general mainly danced to and with one another, public an opportunity of hearing musi­ but we all had a fine time. Very good cians from all over the country; th~ arrangements were made for Festival par­ informal daytime workshops - most of ticipants. vle were all housed in one them held in the big field - allow a of the former grand houses of Newport closer contact with the artists and (now college residences), and proviQed an opportunity to ask questions; the with very good meals. Later in the week, after-concert gatherings give the when the weather cleared up and the participants an opportunity of meeting number of participants increased, meals one another.

4 BENEFIT PARTIES CELEBRATION· As usual, Mr. and Mrs. Leland Durkee chose a warm, sunny day for their fifteenth annual Garden-Party Dance Pic­ nic. The collection set a new record of over $160 and the dancers who came from Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania enjoyed themselves huge­ ly - again as usual. There 1 s something positively lux­ urious about dancing on a lawn upon a summer's day1 and our genial hosts once again provided refreshments and an im­ maculate garden in bloom for our inter­ dance enjoyment.

An added feature this year were impromptu morris and sword exhibitions. Most memorable of all, however 1 was the Durkees own demonstration of the cha­ At the end of 1967 two exciting cha-cha to the tune of the kolo from events took place in the life of the "Never on S'llDrl.ey." National President of the Country Dance Our regret that this had to be the anq. Song Society of America. At the finale of the 15-year tradition is tem­ end of November, MRS. RICHARD CONANT pered by the happy memories - and en- (Lily Roberts Conant) celebrated her ri cbment of the CDSS coffers - provided eightieth birthday and early in Decem­ by our host and hostess over the years. ber, she and MR. CONA.Nl.' celebrated Leland and Bernice our deepest thanks. their Golden Wedding Anniversary. 1 J.M.s. Family Parties were held on both Another most enjoyable Dance­ of these occasions. We would like to Picnic was one given last September by have had a National CDSS Party for them; Fred and Miriam Bosworth at their sum­ this was not possible - but the anniver­ mer place in Putnam Valley, New York. sary year will last through Pinewood.s! The weather was not kind for this picnic The Executive Committee sent good wish­ but as there is a large comrmmi ty hall es on behalf of the membership and re­ it made 11ttle difference - dancing and ceived the following poetical reply: picnics were carried on as usual. Con­ tributions brought in $56. Your golden wishes from the Party It seems as if there is a hope Brings happiness and thanks most hearty that another tradition is in the making We hope this note of thanks is better for the Bosworths are giving another Than writing each of you a letter. Dance Picnic for CDSS on September 14. We hope you'll keep on dancing For directions on how to get there Throughout your eightieth year; write to CDSS in August or call the We find it most enhancing Bosworths at 914-IAB-9323. The address With friends so very dear. is RFD 31 Putnam Valley, N.Y. (Three Arrows Cooperative Community.) Lily and Dick Conant 5 in unison and without instrumental ac­ From Riches companiment. {The Puritans used tunes collected by Ravenscroft from the works of DowlandJ MorleyJ Tallis~ and many to Rags other distinguished composers.} Joy H. Van Cleef But that Puritans or Pilgrims ob­ jected to dance J harmony~ secular songs Below is a portion of an essey- by or instrumental musicJ ~r ~ could one of our members that stresses the not be further from the truth - and the vitall ty of English dance and song evidence so diligently assembled by traditions in America. We have chosen Scholes makes it clear that there is principally the section dealing with every reason to suppose they engaged in the early settlers because it reminds all of them as opportunity permitted am us that the stereotype of the dour New went to some pains to provide instruc­ Englander~ who was intolerant of any tion in both music and da.nce as soon as art form outside of a religious con­ it becomes feasible to do so. For ex­ text~ never existed. ample~ we know that Harvard College stu· dents in the 17th Century wrote theses In the Beginning about musicJ though unfortunately we do not know what they wrote because the The early English settlers came~ theses were destroyed when the Harvard as we have said~ from a country revel­ Library burned. ling in a golde,l flood of poetry~ drama~ music~ and. dance~ all. at the peak of an 17th Century unrivalled excellence. Though their pur­ pose in coming was serious~ and one for We know the tradition from which which they were prepared to make all the New England settlers departed when sacrifices~ the Pilgrims were by no they came here. By 1700 we begin to get means the glooley' lot which historians records which have been collected and for many years made them out to be; and analyzed by scholars such as Chase and the Puritans~ coming from a somewhat Sonneck~ giving us a rather substantial higher class~ socially ·and economically~ body of information about colonial musi· were even less so. We are indebted to cal activity in the 18th Century. an Englishman~ Percy Scholes, for the masterly work~ "The Puritan & Nusic," But let me ad.m1 t that about what in 'I>Thich are blasted beyond reconstruc­ went on in the 17th Century we can for tion the popular fa.JJ.acies e.nd miscon­ the most part onJ.¥ conjecture. There ceptions regarding their attitude to­ is J however J such a thing as an edu­ ward the pleasures of life in general cated guess J of which Scholes and Chase and to music and dance in particular. are villi ng to make a great many J and I shall throw in a few more. Iey'Self. The first Massachusetts settlers, obviously, had other things on their Apart from the discussions of minds besides music, such as managing Psalm-singing~ about which we have a not to freeze or starve to death. And great deal of informationJ we catch their first concern musically ~vas to only tantalizing glimpses of the music worship the Lord in appropri~>. te fash­ and dance life of New England through ion - which for them ~ms to sing the here and there~ through a letter~ a Psalms of David, metrically arranged diary~ or a sermon; and yet in a selise1 6 the very casualness of these references of equa.l social status to be arranged. eeems to assume a background of these things going on year by year and dey Of course democrac,y in the Jack­ by day as opportunity permi.tted. An sonian sei'.se of "every one is as good ordinance was passed in Boston in 1646 as everyone else or slightly better" against dancing in ordinaries; and w-as unknown in colonial days. The lead­ ministers preached against drunken and era of the colonies considered them­ lascivious dancing. But just as the selves gentlemen and intended to remain ministers preached against drunkenness so. Both for them and for those intent and received part of their salaries in on rising to the rank of gentlefolk, rum, we cannot assume that they were dance was still a basic accompllshment; opposed to the proper use of dancing for as Agnes DeNille points out in the because they disapproved of its abuse. New York Times Magazine, dancing was not optional for a young person of this One cannot imagine that a group era, it was a x· ~quired part of his of people raised in an atmosphere of training to fit him both for the physi­ music, song and dance would not carry cal skills of warfa.x;e and the polite on such activities even under difficul­ life of social advancement. The dances ties 1 especially when we remember that of Pleyf'ord were judged suitable, in in the wilderness -- without movies, · New England, for use in promoting the T V 1 juke boxes, or transistor radios -­ proper 1nanners and deportment among the th ~ ir only ~ntertainment was what they young. Thoinot Arbeau, in what Kirstein co1U.d provide for themselves. Chase calls the most important record of 16th seys1 "If we wish to know what kind of Century dancing in existence -- "Orch­ music they pleyed and danced., we have esographie 1 " 1588 -- g1 ves a lengthy only to look into Playford's 'English exposition of the accepted philosophy Dancing Master 1 • • • • we can be sure of the dance as a builder of both social that the people of all the American col­ ~ moral graces; and to this philosophy onies knew them well. " the Founding Fathers subscribed, for the most part. There is little question that Elizabeth and her court were enthusias­ Difficulties and Deterioration tic and accomplished dancers, and that the English 'country dances•, whose We can imagine that however much tunes are mentioned in Shakespeare 1 were the New Englanders knew about the best among the dances they performed. Nor English music when they came here 1 and did the political revolutions of the although ships shuttled back and forth Reformation result in abandoning the across the Atlantic reporting the lat­ country dance; on the contrary, it reach­ est artistic developments, it was not ed new heights of populz.rity with the easy to maintain any kind of musical publication of Play:f'ord1 and Cromwell establishment. Music publishers, teach­ himself danced until 5 a.m. at the wed­ ers, instrument-makers, all were lack­ ding of his daughter 1 Frances. The long­ ing. Furthermore 1 hard. manual labor must li.§.Y.§. form of the country dance 1 especi­ have stiffened the bands of the musi­ ally, were in line with the 'democratic' cians 1 and extremes of climate threat­ tendencies of Reformation society; be­ ened their instruments, such as they cause each couple had a chance to dance had. Precious space on the little sail­ in each position, and the formation ac­ ing ships was given over at first to 1 comodated as many as will' 1 without absolute necessities -- toolsl seed, the t edious wait s for sets of dancers food. Not till ear]¥ in the ltjth Century

7 do vTe find an advertisement of musical does not mean none existed. Of course instruments for sale. (In the Boston the harpsichord and the lute were not News Letter, 1716.) well fitted for the rigors of colonial life; but the fiddle and the recorder Not only the arts suffered under to which the English, said Galpin, the frontier conditions of the early 1 clung 1 were almost certainly repre­ colonies. Even simple literacy -- by sented as were the trumpet, the drum, no means anywhere universal of course and t~e Jews harp which even the dero­ required a struggle to maintain; so gatory historian Peters adJ:nits to have much so that "lining out" hymns in been common. Instruments were not used church was adopted (1682) as a necessary in the churches but were approved for expedient to permit, full participation private amusement. In the last years in psalm-singing by those vTho could not of the century they evidently became read the words, or did not have books more common and in 1699 Judge Sewall to read from. The psalms, once sung reports in his diary having stopped in from the Ainsworth Psalter (among the a Boston music store to have his wife's Pilgrims) ~ t a brisk pace and according virginals repaired. to the written notes, were now slowed down by having each line chanted by the Vocal music included the reper­ deacon or precentor before being sung tory of composers of which Ravenscroft by the congregf'- tion. The number of hymn offers a sample, as well as the tradi­ tunes generally known grew fewer and tional airs and ballads w'hich Helen H. fe1ver 1 the first Bay Psalm Book requir­ Flanders has documented and which ing but seven from Re. venscroft; and the Phillips Barry has shown to have been net result by the end of the 17th Century exchanged among seafarers in his "Bri­ became so cacophonous that a widespread tish Ballads From M:!.ine." "The Ballad reaction set in and heroic attempts were Tree" by Evelyn Wells presents a fas­ made to re-introduce singing by note. cinating discussion of ·traditinnal song in America, especially of the old Scotcl This attempt was generally support­ and English Ballads admired by Benjamin ed by the clergy who bore the full brunt Franklin in his day. of the uproar in their hooded pulpits, but fought tooth and nail by the older To summarize: the early settlers and conservative members of the congre­ of New England grew up in a highly gation with a bitterness anQ ferocity developed tradition of music and dance. for which we are at a loss to account. The pri.mi tive conditions of life in the Chase points out the probability that colonies restricted the expression and 'lining out 1 produced an antiphonal extension of the tradition, but it sur­ form of music in which embellishment vived 1 transmitted inforzna.l:cy from per­ and ornamentation of the melodic line son to person and occasionally streng­ according to 17th Century practice be­ thened by a re-infUsion from the parent CP-'lle customary, every man to his own culture; for Europe set the patterns t~ste, which may have given profound for the colonies in music and dance as ss.tisfaction to the performer, however she did in clothing, furniture, archi­ distressing to an audience. 'Lining tecture, and culture generally. Even out', in short, became according to when fashions changed and modified in Chase a true 'folk' art form. towns 1 the old songs 1 the old dances, and the old ballads lingered on in the That no musical instruments are backwoods and villages and never quite recorded until the end of the century died out.

8 The asceticism of which the Pil­ As we awaited the a::-rival1 over the grims and Puritans were incorrectly ac­ hills to glory, of the vo.Lunteer fire cused, was·, in fact, characteristic of department, one intrepid dancer, heedless the evangelistic and pietistic sects of peril4, rushed heroically back into which were the most conspicuous feature the dining room and made a gallant of American religious life for the hun­ rescue.5 dred years preceding the Civil War. The disapproval of worldly pleasures by the The firemen arrived as quick as Methodists, Baptists, and others of the you please and, while the rest doused newer sects was widespread and strong the blaze, one busied himself with get­ enough to have a really discouraging ting upstairs to make sure nobody was effect on dancing; so that at the be­ left in the building. In less than half 6 ginning of the 18th Century we find re­ a gink1 the fire was out , the assemb­ cords of 'Ordination Ba.ll.s', but by the lage gave a rousing "hose-anna" to the end of the century such events, at volunteer~, and the dance began right on which new-made ministers celebrated schedule. f their calling, would have been unthink­ able. BY. Saturday breakfast, the unflapp­ able Mr. Curtis Ream, manager of the farm. bad, Phoenix-like, restored nearly every­ thi.ng to normal. And Saturday night and FIREMEN'S DANCE Su~ morning were spent in dancing with fine companions--only a minor Early arrivals at the Hudson siege of limericks resulted from the Guild Farm dance weekend this spring events of the night before. As always, were cheerily and merrily eating dinner! it bad been a fine weekend, everyone when all of a sudden-- confessed. "I smell something burning," --J. Michael St~on somebody sniffed.

"It's all right. It's only the 1. Buttered peas and sage leaf, inter­ ·toast," his wife said, a bit crustily. alia

The rejoinder came through a 2. (parlor) mouthful of cobbler, tartly: "None such .luck. This place is on fire! " 3. (open)

And so it was. (It later turned 4. {non-existent) out to be camping gear stored in the Main House basement, which caused much 5. Of a roast beef sandwich. Smoked. smoke though, apart from a fireman­ hacked hole in the wall2, little damage.) 6. By sleights of hand, seemingly. Pins and needless to say, however, 1. The cries of "Fire--fire--fire" the building was evacuated in jig-time, that were later heard from the with several members showing excellent barn were only part of the Fire­ technique as they did step stately man's Dance wlUch was done in through the dining room, for' through honor of the volunteers. Once a the ~yer and--in one case--caper through night, as somebody remarked, vas a casement3 to safety outside. enough for that kind of thing.

9 YOUNG CDSS MEMBERS TEACH ENGLISH DANCES

ENGLISH TRADTIIONAL DANCING FOR TEENAGERS Gene Murrow That energetic species of human ferent tradition, and so with various being known as teenagers, when exposed groups we performed the North Skelton to an activity as interesting, exciting, long Sword dance, four Morris set dances and novel as M:>rris and Sword dancing, a jig, and the Earsdon rapper Sword will respond with a great deal of enthu­ dance. On special occasions, such as siasm and hard work. This summer, e.t visitors 1 day, talent night, and open Lincoln Farm Camp in Roscoe, New· York, house (all well attended by outsiders), more than 50 young people learned and there was always a Morris to be lead off enjoyed a great variety of English ritu­ the festivities, and some Sword or jig al dances. I introduced the program, on the program. Many of the young people which consisted of six, 1-reek-long work­ expressed a continued interest and look­ shops, for two hours every other day, , ed forward to dancing some more; four by rattling a few rapper swords in front appeared S,t the recent Morris Day in New of a neeting of the camp and challenging York. anyone to try his hand at a "high-speed, demanding, split-second precision dance. " There is no doubt that these dance Ten signed up, and after a week of tough do indeed have appeal for the "now" gen­ practice a~d uncharacteristic dedication eration. Thus, whenever a CDSS dancer and concentration, were able to perform is in a position to lead a recreation all the figures of the Newbiggen dance program for teen-agers in an environment before an ecstatic audience. as exciting as Lincoln Farm, he should not hesitate to use the English ritual From then on, I had more than I dances. Success is practically ~·an­ could handle; each "reek I chose a dif- teed. Jane Wi1k writes that she'~pent lee, Cumberland Sq_uare and Hole ~n ~ne this past summer as a junior counselor Wall were immediate favorites. Girls at Blueberry Cove, a children's camp who had studied ballet found here a in Tenants Harbor 1 Maine. The children, chance to displey their grace. Balkan most of whom came from New York and and Israeli dances were also popular. Boston (though one girl came all the Sometimes after an hour of folk dance, '"a:;{ from Tuskeegee, Alabama.) were boys country-dance records were used by other and girls from seven to eleven years counselors who were leading groups in old. The activities of the camp were rll;Ythms." directed to the discovery and use of the natural environment. Therefore, "And on da,ys when our inclinations sal ling, fishing, clamming, and rowing-­ were less social, there were always lots as well as horseback riding, arts and of blueberries to pick." crafts (in the "Foc'sle"), shop, mudd­ ling (i.e. taking a bath in mud at low tide), and rock-hops along the shore Paul L.yun in a note to Miss Ge.dd were a.l.lllost daily activities. After mentio09 that last summer he and his the first few weeks of camp, day trips sister Anne gathered with some of their and "overnights" to neighboring islands college-age friends at Woodstock from and to mountains in the western part of the end of J~ through August to learn the state were taken." some of the English Country dances a la Berea and Pine Mountain. "It was amaz­ "Those children who remained in ing to me," he commented, "how this camp continued to select their activity age group seemed to love it. We had at morning council. Several times folk eight or nine couples and learned fif­ dancing was req_uested, and I taught teen dances, using all 'live music English dances such as Christchurch except for 'Black Nag.' Thought you 1d enjoy hearing that some of your efforts Bells 1 La Russe Quadrille 1 and even the Fool's Jig and the playparty game, Jubi- have been passed on." 11 FOLK SCHOOL DIRECTOR RETIRES

On May 13, 1967, Georg Bi ~strup coached the Running Set as it was danced retired as Director of the John C. at Pine Mountain Settlement School when Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C. Cecil Sharp first saw it. The program A special program -was given in honor also included a sampling of singing of him and of his wife, Marguerite, to games and dances representing the devel­ give formal recognition to their de­ opment of the recreation movement in the cades of work dedicated to fostering mountain area - all of which were per­ folk culture, especially folk dancing. formed by members of the community and A scholarship fund for the School has former students of the school." been opened and named in their honor. CDSS was happy to make a contribution This fine use of dancing and music to the fund in the name of its members, (American, Danish, English) as an im­ but it is still open for any who would portant part of the recreation program like to send individual contributions. for the school and the community has been developed entirely by the Bidstrups, On the day of the Bidstrups' last with, in the early days, the support of Board Meeting and special program, Mrs. Olive Dame Campbell. For the "short CDSS sent a telegram of good wishes courses" they have brought in other and received the following letter from people to help - and dtill do - but the Marguerite: main work and inspiration has been theirs. Who coul.d resist Georg's "Make "Georg and I greatly appreciate a beeg circle." We are glad to know that your wire with the affection and good 1t will still continue to be heard. The wishes of you and the Country Dance Bidstrups will continue to live at So ciety. It came during the Board meet­ "Bidstrup Acres", the fine house that ing, just about the time of the morning they built and will still help with the coffee break ••• The surprise party in recreation of the area. our honor that night was beautifuly planned and carried out - everyone was John M. Ramsay is the new Director told to be at Keith House at six; we of the school, and a better successor were asked for six-thirty. When we could not have been found. The Bidstrups drove in, cars were everywhere, but are delighted - Marguerite wrote "John even that did not prepare us. We were is well able to carry on. We told him lead down to the dining room and greet­ that we have put upon his young shoulders ed by singing. Never was such a table the second forty years." We are all de­ of food - the full length of the lighted because one of John's many inter­ center. People, all ages, were packed ests is to see that the dancing at the around the room~ It looked as if they school continues on the same lines as were six deep. Then later, everyone formerly. He will be at Pinewoods for gathered in the big room for singing the two Dance Weeks this August. games - as we did in 1926, etc. It was a memorable event."

A letter from John Ramsay tells us PRIZE that "the program began with one of the How many dance names can you identif'y first singing games taught by Georg, in the story on page 9· when dancing was frowned upon but games The authoz: offers a prize of a record to were acceptable, and that Marguerite the winner: the first with the most.

12 NORMAN SINGER

Our congratulations and very good wishes go to NORMAN SINGER who has been appointed General Administrator of the New York City Center of Music and Drama.

By this appointment Mr. Singer be­ comes one of the two or three most power­ ful artistic administrators in the coun• try. His control extends over the City Ballet, the City Opera, the City Center Gilbert and Sullivan Company, the City Center Light Opera Company, the City Center Drama Company and the City Center Jaffrey Ballet.

Formerly on the faculty of the Juilliard School of Music, in 1956 Mr, Singer was asked to help organize the summer music school of the Aspen Festival and stayed on as dean for eight years. He then became Administrator of the Hunter College Concert Bureau.

Concerts of French music and of French musicians were included in the msny many concerts that he arranged and he recently received an award from France. This was the medal of Chevalier in the in our dancing and bas attended Pine­ order of "Arts et Lettres. " The order woods many times - as recently as 1964. was created by the French Government We hope that this new appointment does to recognize those in the Arts who have not mean that he will have !!Q. time for helped to spread French culture. us - it will be a very demanding one. We take great pride in the fact THEATER BENEFITS that Mr. Singer is a member of our CDSS Advisory Board and was Chairman of the The visiting Folk Dance Companies were Special Projects Committee during our as follows: Oleata Basque Festival Dan­ Fiftieth Anniversary year - and after­ cers and Singers of Bilbao, Spain; wards. During this present season he Compagnie Nationale de Danses Francaises arranged for us to have as many Benefit with Jacques Doua.i. Singer; Yugoslav tickets as we could sell for three Folk National Folk Ensemble: Frul.a. Our mem­ Dance performances of the Hunter College bers enjoyed them very much- the general Concert Bureau. opinion being that they liked the dances where the young dancers presented the Mr. Singer's interest in CDSS is a authentic dances of their ancestors practical one. He likes to take part better than the more theatrical dances.

13 Iris.h Folkmusic Today Sandra. Teti and Niall Ms.CDonagh · Ireland has been building a folk heritage for centuries, and she hasn't · ing him in Irel.a.tl.d so that he might use stopped yet. The Irish harp, tin whistle; his talents to teach Gaelic songs to fiddle and uillean pipes, the Irish school children. Many consider Joe Heany dances, lilts, rebel songs, drinking to be Ireland's most important folk­ songs, dance songs, and ballads have singer. played a large part in the life of' the Irish people and have g1ven them a The record charts readily show the strong place in f'olkmusic. spot held by :f'olkmusic in Ireland. The Dubliners and Clancys outsell the In today's Ireland, f'olkmusic Beetles. One third of' all LPs sold in still plays a part in the. everyday life Ireland are by the Clancys. Very recent­ of' the people. The popularity of' even ly 1 the Dubliners and the Rolling the most traditional song has not chang­ Stones held separate concerts in Dublin. ed. The 1940's saw singers such as Delia The Dubliners were the biggest draw. Murphy who, at that time, recorded many Even rock-and-roll bands play a lot of' . of' Ireland's traditional songs. The 50's folk. There was a time earlier this year and 60's have added people such as David when there were three folk singles in Hammond and the McPeake Family (both of' the top-ten plus five folk LPs in the Belfast, N.I.), Pat Tunney, Seamus top-ten LPs • Ennis, and Joe Heany. A while back, Donagh Ma.CDonagh had The singing Clancy family of' Car­ a program on Radio Erin called "Ireland rick-on-Suir has given added popularity is Singing" which was concerned with the to Irish music in reaent times; Pat, f'olkmusic of Ireland. This program had Tom and Liam Clancy are internationally the highest listenership of all radio known for their singing. Although Joan programs of the time. Radio Erin still Clancy Butler does not sing publicly devotes much time to programs of folk­ anymore, Peg Clancy Power and her lore and folksong of all aspects, and brother Bobby have recorded songs which "Ireland is Singing" has been replaced were passed down through the family. with a program of folkmusic around the Now, the singing is bei.ng taken up by world. their sons and daughters, one of' whom, Alice O'Connell, is already becomfng A Dublin paper has an extensive known in Ireland. weekly column on the latest news con­ cerning Irish folksingers and songs. Joe Heany, a fine traditional Newspapers list place after place where singer from the Irish-speaking West, balled sessions and folk concerts are could not make a living from singing in being held regu].Qrly. Ireland, since he felt that his songs The Flea Ceol .na h-Eireann would be more appreciated in the u

14 Irish songwriters in the folk competitions of various sorts 1 while impromptu co:1certs are apt to break out idiom are rare 1 but there have been nelr almost anywhere 1 in pubs 1 in fields 1 or songs written. Bill Meek sings many of in the streets. his own composi~ i ons along with some of the most traditional songs of Ireland. The Clancys and Toiii!cy Ma.kem have Bill 1 s own are w.ri tten and sung in such introduced a somewhat commercial ele­ a traditional manner that often leaves ment into Iril3h folkmusic. But even at the listener to wonder whether they are their most cownercial1 they represent traditional or recent. a very living tradition in Ireland. There are very few songs that they've Tommy Makem1 who sings with the "popped" up; mostly, they are sung Clancys, has tried his hand at writing pretty much as they learned them. All songs and apparently likes it. A few of the Clancys have added is the guitar his songs have a folk sound, but it is and the banjo. The Clancys have also rumored that he is pretty much straying introduced many to folkmusic who have 1 from his folk tradition and has turned in turn, become seriously interested. to writing pop songs. He has just re­ cently cut an entire album of his com­ other singing groups have sprung positions., and two of his works, up all over Ireland. Ba.l.lad-session "Freedom's Sons" and "Lord Nelson," may advertisements in the newspapers list be heard on the latest Clancy Brothers many groups with names such as The and Tommy t-1akem album.

Croppies1 Pedlars, Kinfolk, Bandoliers, The Blarney Folk1 The Owen Roe Folk1 Irishman Paul Lenihan sings The Corbies 1 Broadsiders 1 The Emeralds 1 ''We're Over Here for Exploration" with The Jol.J.y Tinkers, The Emerald Folk, the Scot's group, The Exiles, it's a

The Ivbonshiners 1 Sweeney's ~n, and. ma.ny recent song which tells of the too many more. There are, at least, two different Irishmen who have been leaving their grotlpS who caJ.l. themselves The Irish native land (even since its independ­ Rovers. ence) to seek work elsewhere. But con­ temporary Irish songs of "protest" are One of' the most popular groups is very few. the Dubliners (Dublin City's most popular). They have many recordings in It might be said that, l'l.lllong Ireland and two thus far in the u.s. other things, folkmusic is a sound of Their version of "Our Goodman" called a people; and the Northern Irish strong­ "Seven Drunken Nigl;lts" was rated as ly feel the spirit of the Irish Repub­ number three in April. other groups are lic. The Coiste Foillseancain Na.isiunta the Ludlows whose recording of' "The Sea (National Publications Committee) in Around Us" made number one last year. Cork urges the young people of Ireland The Fenians are a very good. group 1 fe.st to take pride in singing their songs becoming popular. One of their members for tyranny is still seen in British­ is Alice O'Connell (niece of Pat, Tom occupied Ireland, and the ballad sing­ and Lia.m Clancy} who does some singing er is unsuppressible. Although "Kevin separately. This group recently won the Barry," for instance, is not legally Father Keating Cup at the~ Cluain banned in N.E., it is wise not to sing ~ (Festival of Cl.onmel) for their it too conspiciously for one may be fine performance for the third success­ brought in for "conduct liable to lead ive year. to a breach of' peace." And oft times such songs do. A riot was caused at a

15 N.I. dance just this last January when got better versl.ons or toe reaJ. rolk the band started playing "Merry Plougb,­ songs in th.e Appa.la.chian area than he boy. " And N. I. is also where the popu­ could find anywhere else in the world. larity of the Clancys is due largely to the Nationalists (those Irishmen who The gr-oup sMg songs collected want to see Ireland reunited). by Mr. Sharp in England and in the u­ nited States, and Chuck Ward played some It is re~ bard to write abo:ut dance tunes on the piano. Mr. Reymond an Irish folk revival as everybody has K. McLain, Director of Hindman Settle­ different ideas about it. As in America, ment School, led the singing. Mrs. there is much appreciation for some George Bidstrup of Brasstown, North poor singers 1 but then the whole move­ Carolina, shared with the group some ment draws more and more people towards recollections of Mr. Sharp's visit to traditional music. Pine lvbuntain Settlement School when she was a teacher there. Bill Meek's statement that Irish mUsic had never declined enough to be There was a delicious supper pre­ in need of reviving has some truth, pared by Mrs. McLain and helpers, fol­ though the Clancys did put new life into lowed by instrumental music by Mr. Mc­ it. A st~y of the Irish scene would La.in1 Chuck1 young fueymond, and Stanley be really incomplete without a mention Kramer of Lexington, Kentucky• of the part played by Delia. Murphy. In her day she was 1 if anything, even more A highlight of the evening was popular than the Dubliners and the the playing of a record made by Mrs. Clancys, traditional song probably play­ John c. Campbell in which she tells how ed a far larger part in Irish life than she became interested in the folk songs in most other countries, and the revival and traveled to Mrs. Storrow's home at only consolidated this pos4.tio!l• Lincoln, .tJassachusetts, to talk to Mr. Sharp. It was as a result of this dis­ cussion that he decided to come to the Appalachian area. On the record, Mrs. Campbell sings the version of ''Barbara A VISIT REMEMBERED Allen" which was sung to ll$1". at Hind­ man Settlement School by Una Ritchie, sister of Jean and Edna Ritchie. Fi:rty years ago, Cecil Sharp vis­ ited Hindman Kentucky. In the fall of There was a special significance 19671 several people gathered there to to the large vase of goldenrod which celebrate the golden anniversary of that was placed outside the door. When the event. Irene Calk has sent this account: Settlement people were preparing for Mr. Sharp's visit, they decorated the Among those attending was Miss rooiilS w1 th goldenrod. When he walked Elizabeth Watts, now of Berea., Kentucky, in, he l.ooked around and said, "Get who lra.s a teacher at Hindman during the that stuff out of here." ¥I sa Jli.l¥1. time of Mr. Sharp's visit. She recalled Karpeles 1 his secretary, hasti.li ex­ that he was very skeptical of finding plained that he had a bad case of hey anything of value in Hindman. Later fever which could be aggravated by gold he said that he collected more tonsil :$il enrod. one dey there than in any other single dey in his life. He ~o said that he (continued on page 18)

16 DANCE DEMONSTRATIONS

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

The motivation for organizing a York. He came at three-week intervals, CDSS demonstration last October at and our own British "games inistress" EAST WOODS SCHOOL in Oyster B~, N.Y. kept the two Sword teams practicing in was a plan to produce 8t, George and the intervening weeks, The boys st~ed the Dragon for the school's Christmas after school to do this. They were so program. As the drama teacher in the enthusiastic that we dido 't have the school, I wanted to train 8th grade heart to select one team for the play. boys into a Sword Team, Knowing the re­ We used both Sword teams performing luctance of boys to think of dancing Sleights, mounting the stage with lift­ in any form, it was important for them ed steel locks to 'make a double ring to see men performing a Sword set, around St. George. The double draw was With this idea in mind, I secured a intensely dramatic, timed perfectly to sponsoring committee large enough to the phrase of the music and brought guarantee a minimum audience. A few down the house vith applause. posters were placed in the community and a notice went to the 300 members The obvious follow-up should be of the school. Admission was $1.00 for the beginning of a Nassau-Suffolk (or adults, 50¢ for children. North Long Island) CDSS Club. The poten­ tial is there and at least some ground­ Miss Gadd planned the demonstra­ work has been laid, Incidentally CDSS tion and chose the dancers. I ordered received a contribution of $160 for the cases of soft drinks, which were sold evening, which more than covered its at cost during intermissions. The audi­ expenses. ence was much larger than anticipated and of every age. Demonstrations of A second demonstration at PUTNEY Morris., Sword, and Country dancing al­ SCHOOL vas entirely different. It was ternated with dances in which the audi­ expensive for the school, which funded ence was invited to join. There were the operation from a special Dance some difficulties due to an inadequate Activities Fund. It paid $100 for basic sound system and poor acoustics, and travel expense and music,was host to Miss Gadd and Mrs. Shimer had to go in­ the group for Sat~ lunch and dinner to the crowd to help them get going. and Sund~ breakfast1 and provided bunks Once they began to dance things went in the Alumni House. more smoothly, and the children' s sets, .if a bit chaotic, were wild.cy enthusi­ The group of demonstrators chosen astic. Af'ter the dance I invited the were mostly students 1 selected because dancers for supper so that the long of their youth, Again it was a labor of drive back to New York would be easier. dedicted love for the CDSS members that formed the groups participating, which Having proved ~ point to the were from New York and Boston. ETic children, I used ~ school drama budget Leber was in charge of the New York funds to hold three master Sword dance group while Becky Lawson organized the classes taught by Eric Leber of New Boston contingent, One large rehearsal

17 was held in Boston Fridey- night. Three carfulls proceeded to Putney School in MORE PAH THAN OOM Vermont Saturday morning. Philip Merrill came in by plane at noon so that we had one yg£;J fast run-through One weekend in April at Hudson Guild with everyone (16 dancers plus 2 Farm musicians) late Saturday afternoon. The afternoon sleepers awoke with alarm: This demonstration made nothing Not robins, not bluebirds such sounds but goodwill for CDSS - but the communi­ could command --- ty participated in the general dancing Merrill and Marshall are coaching the with wild enthusiasm and has asked us band! to return. With sprightly recorders and fiddlers Residential boarding schools are three, much in need of social programs 1 but The jangle of tambourines whacked on the expense of having a group that has the knee, to travel is a deterrent. Unless our The bass has a beat, and the tune has Society can raise enough money to fi­ a lilt --- nance the expense, we cannot move very Merrill's musicians are at it full tilt! far from our local centers. Concertinas, accordions, a lively guitar Elizabeth Lindsay (A bit less· on the "oom," a bit more on the "pah") . Editor's Note: Much hard work by Mrs. Toes tapping the floor, chairs cushioned Lindsay went into the planning of these vi th cactus --- two events. They were made possible by Merril.l's musicians are having a prac­ her personal connection with the two tice! schools. We need more of such connec­ tions to help spread our work around. Some pipes with three holes and some pipes with six, ("Visit" continued from page 16) Drums played with fingers, and drums Miss Watts has written a note to played vith sticks, Miss Karpeles informing her of the an­ The flute's silver sounds from our own niversary and expressing the deep ap­ Genny Wren .- - - preciation of all for her work. Merrill and Marshal.! are at it again! Cecil Sharp made his contribu­ tion to the world, but the people of th_g Appalachian area have their own special appreciation of what he did for them. Goodman of Bal.lengeich. The assumed Miss Ethel Capps 1 Director of the Berea name of James V of Scotland when he Country Dancers, expressed it this way: made his disguised visits through the "One of the greatest things Cecil. Sharp country districts around Edinburgh and did for us al.1 is that he made our cul"" Stirling, after the fashion of Haroun­ ture respected all over the world." al-Raschild1 Louis XI, etc.

Many thanks to Mr. McLain for (From Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and making possible such a warm and nostal­ Fable, rev. by John Freeman, New York:

gic evening. Harper & Row 1 1965.

18 Two other designs are also avail­ ORANGES abl.e. One depic·t,s a variety of English folk dances with a central, brightly­ AND LEMONS colored maypole encircled by country dancera. Also depicted are M:>rris men, Sword dancers 1 and the Abbots Bromley Dance as well as Pa.dstow and Minehead We have received from England a hobby horses. large and colorful tea towel that has printed on it an unusual version of The third is an illustrated map the "Oranges and Lemons" rhyme : of Great Britain with pictorial vig­ nettes of local festivals and customs. Gay go up and ~ go down Each is available at the cost of $1.00 To ring the bells of London Town. postpaid. When ordering, please specify Bull's eyes and targets design by "Oranges and Lemons 1 " English Say the bells of St. furga.ret 1 s. Folk Dances," and "Folk CustomS." Brick-bats and tiles Say the bells of St. Giles~ Oranges and lemons Say the bells of St. Clement's. Pancakes and fritters MORRIS TOUR Say the bells of St. Peter's. Two sticks and an apple The Pinewoods Morris I~n made Say the bells of Whi techapel. quite an impression when they made their Old Father Baldpate second annual to 1 ~ of Harvard this Say the slow bells of Aldga.te. fall. According to one newspaper report, Maids with white aprons "the fierce Harvard Square traffic was Say the bells of St. Katherine's. stopped in its tracks; drivers were so Poker and tongs nonplussed that they forgot to blow Say the bells of St. Jot~'s their horns. Hundreds of people burst Kettles and pans out of Harvard Yard, across Massachu­ Say the bells of St. Ann's. setts Ave. and into the Holyoke Center You owe me five farthings Plaza." Say the bells of St. Martin's. When will you pay me? Analagous to the English practice Say the bells of Old Bailey. of touring from village to village, the When I grow rich Pinewoods Morris Men went from one Say the bells of Shoreditch. Harvard House to another and then to When will that be? the Radcliffe Quadrangle and were greet­ Say the bells of Stepney. ed by enthusiastic crowds all along the I'm sure I don't know wey. Says the great bell of Bow. The Pinewoods Morris Men were Printe.d on pure Irish linen, the formed in 1964 and are the only such verse has an·attractive border which team outside the British Isles to be illustrates many of the things alluded accepted into the Morris Ring, a loose to in the poem-- the oranges, the lemons, federation of the Morris teams in the bells, as well as the artisans and Englana_. Judging from the popula.rity of merchants who frequent the districts the tour, a new Harvard tradition is in mentioned. the making.

19 1 ~

PINEWOODS MORRIS 'J 1966 Be 1967

5 MEN'S HARVARD TOUR A MEXICAN MORRIS? and out of the set with show-off fig­ ures. The striking element to me was the wild and barbaric nature of the From Harris Holtzman comes this stepping, as contrasted with nur con­ unusual account: trolled dancing. As I watched this Indian men's ·ie.nce I could picture t he During our stey- in Oaxaca, Mexico, tribe~ Briton Morris men in the forests during August, Frances and I unexpect­ of the Druids doing similexly wild leaps edly attended a teaching session at and earth-pounding steps, before the which a number of regional MeXican centuries had calmed the .M:>rris o.ances dances were being taught to young into our present--dare I sey-- "sedate" people. dances.

In Oaxaca, perhaps more than in other areas of ~exico, ancient customs persist "back i r. the hills," where live many Indian tribes, each with its own dialect. At this dance session, a men's dance 1 "Huak.utla de Jiminez" "~>ras being drilled into a group of young men, CDSS and I was thereby better able to follo~-r the patterns and steps than during the usual once-through demonstration. I was BADGE greatly struck by the marked resemblance to English Morris dances.

This particular dance involved Do you have a CDSS membership six men. formed into two contra lines, badge? It is a handsome emblem designed plus a seventh who was a soloist. Af. .. er by Genevieve Shimer e,nd is !Dade in Eng­ an entry with simple stepping, the group land b;r the same firm that produces the first danced in a circle, then lined up EFDSS pin. The English Society based Lts in a fashion similar to our Morris •ets. design on the six long-sword look.1 aad During this second part the lines cross·· so we have chosen the five-sword rapper lock. The badge is made of a lustrous ed ov.er 1 the men now "stepping it out" and on reaching the opposite lines, silver metal and is of a size (one inch turned about in a figure which reminded in diameter) that is suitable for both me of the Morris galley. After several men and women. Mrs. Shimer made her de­ repetitions and variations, each line sign from a sketch of an actual rapper did a half-hey starting with several sword lock. .walk steps and ending with more com­ plicated double stepping. During the The distinctiveness of the em­ blem has aroused the interest of many hey1 however 1 the middle dancer in each line crossed over to take a new middle who know little about country dance and position in the opposite line. This has led some of them to become members figure was continued until the dancers of the Society. Here 's a good .chance were back into original positions, then to enhance your appearance and to pop­ several times repeated. ularize our.activities. It is available for purchase to all national members of During the middle section of the the Country Dance and Song Society at entire dance, the soloist danced into the cost of $1. 00 (post free).

22 FESTIVAL AT STATEN ISLAND

This spring the Staten Island group; and when we trip the light fan­ CDSS Center vas very ambitious. On tastic 1 t ian 't quite so light -- just Sundey, March 3, we held our first fantastic. International Folk Dance Festival with While our pro27am covers the folk the cooperation of the Folk Dance Group dances of many lands and is not limited of the Staten Island Jewish Community 1 to Englis:1 dances, the fact is that Center and the Staten Island YMCA. The English c"untry dances and contras are event included demonstrations as well emphasized and make this group distinc­ as dances in which everyone was invited tive on Staten Island. At a recent typi­ to participate. The Royal Scottish Dance cal sessions we did among other dances, Society gave a demonstration in full 1 A Trip To Paris, Grand Square, Newcastle regalia and the Country Dauce and Song 1 Fandango, Sackett's Harbor, Dargason, Society of America reproduced the dance Chorus Jig, Childgrove, and Selleeger's program that had been presented on Round. Our program is necessarily limit­ CBS-TV earlier this spring for the ed to what is available on records, as Ge.tew~ to the Arts series. A perfect we do not have live music. We are ex­ floor and a bright hall added to every­ pecting some new reoords from .England one's enjoyment of a very delightful very· soon which should give us all a Festival. lift. The Staten Island Center meets every Wednesd~ night from 8 to 10 o'clock at the Staten Island Y M C A BOSTON, MASS. and has been having a very successful year in many wa:ys. While our numbers In addition to its Harvard morris have not increased particularly 1 there tours, Boston bas carried on a weekly has been a substantial qualitative in­ progt>am of country, morris and sword crease. Our small gt>oup, normally be­ dances and Saturday square dances and tween 16-24 people, moat of whom have country dance parties. A weekend work­ this year become !Jlembers of the national shop was held with Genevieve Shimer of society, come to sessions religiously, New York as leader. The Boston Center so that we have been able to build our Pinewoods Weekend is being held on repertoire of dances. June 28 to 30.

"Neither ra.in1 nor snow, nor ice 1 nor sleet, BEREA, KY. Can sta:y our little dancing feet." News comes from Berea of the suc­ cess of its annual Spring Mountain Folk Festival for schools and college stu­ One of our members 1 1-1rs. Ellen Hall, is the best brownie baker this dents. The Berea Country Dancers dem­ side of the Hudson, and another, Mrs. onstrated English, Danish .and ·Moutltali.n Eillma Di Giovanni, is the best all­ dances at the AAHPER national convention. r?und cookie baker anywhere. ,so you The Berea Christmas Dance School was its can :rest assured that we have gt'own not usual success. Date.s for: next Christ­ on:cy qualitatively, but also quantita­ mas school a:te December 26 (evening) to tively. We have a well nourished dance January 1 (breakfast.)

23 Round and Huntsman's Chorus for audience NEW YQR·K, N.Y. participation. A tall Maypole was a feature of the dance ground and prizes In liew York perhaps the most en­ were given for decorating many small tertaining program of the season was Maypoles. Our music was accordion, our appearance on CBS-TV Leonard Har­ concertina, fiddle 1 clarinet and drum ris's program GatewaY to the Arts. and amplification was admirable.

A half-hour progam, in color, Many other events and amusements consisted of a conversation between were provided at this Park Festival and Leonard Harris and .r.By Gadd, illustrat­ the whole afternoon was a very good exam­ ed by a sampling of the dance types in ple of a simple, direct and very gay use our repertoire. The size of the space of a city park by a large number of available limited the dancers to, .six people. morris men and four girls for the coun­ try dances. Music was supplied by Fid­ Five ~sidential Weekends were dle, Accordion and Pipe and Tabor. held. Two for dance and one for record­ ers at Hudson Guild Farm and two for Beginning with a morris jig The folk music at Camp Freedman. Very suc­ Nutting Girl, danced, by request, by cessful dance band sessions were a fea­ two men and a girl;; we were able to ture of the Spring dance and recorder illustrate w1 th a trad1tional country weekends. Arthur Cornelius supplemented dance fins and Needles , a Playford the New York Staff at the Fall Dance dance Argeers, shortened versions of Weekend and Peter Leibert at the Spring a stick morris dance Lads a Bunchun. Weekend. and a handkerchief morris Bobbing A­ ~ and Earsdon rapper sword. The The Tuesday d8.aee class evenings whole program took half an hbur and were held throughout the year providing closed with a repeat of Pins and Need­ for all stages of exper.ience. Plans are les. being made for a series for beginners on.zy, on another evening - finding a Mr. Harris is a CDSS member and ball is the on.zy problem. Saturday former dancer so ·he knew all the right dance parties - country 1 contra and questions to ask. We are very grateful square were held about twice a month. to him for the opportunity and for the way he handled the program. We all had In addition to the Weekends, Recorder a love.zy time. · classes were held at 55 Christopher St. under the direction of Eloyd Hanson. A very different type of program Four groups each met twice a month was given at the end of ~>By in Prospect throughout the season; and the Folk Park, Brookl.yn. Sponsored by the Park Music Club continued its Friday con­ Department, we shared the program in cert series and special gatherings for our part of the Park with Michael and Club members. l>Bry Herman; we occupied an hour and Folk Dance House almost two hours. Participation in our part of the pro­ gram ~s thrown open to all Tuesday Photographs of the Morris Men's Tours class people who wanted to sign up. on the center pages are by Julie Snow-­ We showed simple country dances and except for ''Brighton Camp" , bottom right morris dances and called Sellengers hand corner,

24 NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL ASHEVILLE, N.C. From Asheville, N.c., Isabel Clark sends ASSOCIATION the following news:

The Association will hold its We're still keeping our small 31ST ANNUAL NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL 1 (10-20 or so) group of "Kenilworth K.a.­ at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 19-211 pers" going at the coimDuni ty center 1968. The Festival will be the opening here. Boz has his .r.brris group at New­ event in the Milwaukee World Summertest. ton School getting ready tor the "Moun­ It will be directed by SARAH GERTRUDE tain Youth Jamboree. " I shall probably KNarr. All wishing tor more details have performers there too, as I've taught should write to the Association's head­ my 6th graders a dozen or more dances quarters at 710 Dupont Circle Buil.dil:lg. this year. Washington, D.c. 20036. Oceola Sederquist has a little On September 291 1967 the Associa­ group doing ''Bean Setting" in her 5th tion organized a Conference in Washing­ grade at Oakley School1 and they have D.C.1 the theme being "Presentation ot been enthusiastically received when Plans ot Cultural Organizations which performing tor various groups in the NFFA Clearing House might serve. A county. number ot groups presented plans and among them the plan ot operation ot the Country Dance and Song Society was ~ CALIFORNIA sented by its National Director. From SAN FRANCISCO ·earl Wittman1 and Plans were made later tor the Mim11 write: The English country dance Association to sponsor a series ot group is really blossoming - l2 to 15 dance and music workshops in the Wash­ a night. Happily most everyone catChes ington area. Miss Ga.dd was invited to on very fast aoi we've been able to present dance at the first Workshop. teach such dances as The OJ.d .r.ble and Picking up Sticks. Like all non-profit organizations the Association is facing a money short­ From SOU!'HERN CALIFORNIA we hear trom age 1 the Government grant that it re­ Mary JW.Son that real progress is be­ ceived being nearly exhausted. Our ing made. She gave a weekend workshop best wishes go With it on its quest. for John Hancock's group in which sword dancing was especially popular and "out ot this came a beautiful suite ot Eng­ lish dances· presented at the Folk Festi­ BIRTHS val at Ojai in the Spring. Recently1 the c;oU~ge group danced at the Renais­ Welcome to two future dancers who sance Fair - morris as well as country. " both arrived in January: PIIEWOODS the national Suzanne Gabriel, third daughter ot John CDSS four week camp opens on July 28 and Rebecca Lawson. with Chamber Music Week. Two Dance Weeks David, third son ot Renald and Mer~ follow and then Folk Music Week. We Ca.jolet. hope tor a large gathering. Will you be there?

25 WEDDING ON A MOUNTAIN

I hope my daughter will forgive my the Settlement School, and chosen be­ attempt to commit her wedding to cold cause of its magnificent view, luckily print. It is not only a mother's emotion unspoiled by strip mining, had probably which prompts me to try: the event had never hosted so many. About eighty-five beauty and dignity and a quality which gathered: family members from New Hamp­ gave reassurance to all of us who were shire, Illinois, Michigan, and South Am­ there. erica; friens from Hindman, Lick Branch, Decoy, Pine Mountain, Lexington, Berea, Toppy and Loren have both been work­ Hazard and Whitesburg in Kentucky, and ing in the settlement schools and commun­ one from England and one from Pakistan. ities of Eastern Kentucky for several years. Four years ago the womem of Lick The family members from South A­ Branch, their mat~hmaking instincts quick­ merica were Loren's parents. Loren's ened by the obvious potentials in the father, Wendell Kramer, is an agricul­ single status of their musicmobile work­ tural specialist with the Methodist er and their local teacher, made them Board of Foreign Missions. Having mar­ each a patchwork quilt. A small spell ried all of his other four children, he may have been cunningly embroidered a­ and Mrs. Kramer flew up from Bolivia long with each name. The effect was pre,;­ for just two days to marry his fifth dictable, though delayed. child. Recorders played "Sumer is a Cumen The wedding announcement was a In" in the soft sunny air as Toppy and block print with this traditional folk !.oren ~ went and stood by a big rock with song lettered inside: their backs to the view. The. rest of us stood about in a semi-circle or sat on The winter's passed and the leaves rocks according to age and inclination. are green, Our eighty-seven year old great-grand­ The time has passed that we have seen, mother French stood; a five week old And now we know the time has come baby lay peacefully in her· bassinet. When you and I shall be as one. A Shakespeare sonnet was beautifully Enclosed was this typed invitation: read by Mary Rogers of the Pine z.t>untain We invite you to join us for our Settlement School. The men and women wedding and wedding meal atop Pine of Lick Branch sang a hymn in the tradi­ z.t>untain. tional Kentucky fashion, a haunting mon­ Gather at Pine .J.k>untain Settlement otonous melody, each section "lined out" School at 12:00 noon Sunday, April 2J., by the leader and repeated in slow ca­ 1968, when the group will depart for dence by the others, a touching and Jack's Gap on the little Shepherd rapidly vanishing sound in this day and Trail. age. The father of the bride read the Atossa French and Loren Kramer section on marriage from the Prophet. Recorders played the exqtlisite "I Gave. Pine J.k>untain is rea~ a long, 1>\Y Love an Apple. " Wendell Kramer spoke narrow ridge extending westward some quietly of the special meaning of this fifty miles from the Cumberland Gap. day. Then Toppy and Loren, clearlY and Along its crest runs the Little Shep­ unfalteringly and directly to ·eaeb oth• herd Trail, negotiable by car. Jack's eri spoke of their love and their re- Gap, ~even miles along the trail from so ve, sealing their vows with an ex-

26 change of rings. Wendell Kramer pro­ Loren has been their hero and protector nounced them wed and offered a prayer. since their father was killed in a min­ They kissed, and the fiddles struck up a ing accident several years ago; the Kra­ rollicking "Good Times at Our House. " mers met again Burton and Mu-y Rogers who run the Pine Mountain Settlement The meal, a pot-luck affair, had School (Wendell Kramer Married his son been planned by Toppy and Loren to take Stan to Pam here a few years ago), we place a few miles further along the trail all listened to the music arranged by at a place where a huge flat rock offered Bun McLain who inducted Toppy into Ap­ a natural table and the view was breath palachia when he employed her at the taking. Just minutes before the service, .Hindman Settlement School in 1962 for when we went there to take supplies, we the musicmobile; mutual friends were found that workmen had recently dumped discovered. sand and stones on the chosen rock. Dave, w1 th creditable ingenuity and a­ We all listened as Lionel Duff lacrity, commandeered a Vista truck in from Decoy told a preposterous Jack which some of the wedding guests were Tale with captivating deadpan, and as arriving and "borrowed" a picnic table Frankie, his wife, sang several folk from another spot along the trail. Be­ songs, again with the elusive, almost fore the wedding started, the men and oriental quality which marks the Appal­ boys were able to carry this table up achian folk music. George Alexander to Jack's Gap to a providential flat area from England sang the English original near the scene of the service. of a folk song which, with some adapta­ tions, is heard in Appalachia. Toppy. As "Good Times at Our House" echoed in her blu~ wedding dress which she had through the woods, a contingent of finished £~i~ching in the nick of time strong guests climbed down to the road (she had had two exams at the university

and brought up,the food and supplies. on Friday) 1 and Loren in his new jacket One table was not big enough to acconuno­ and turtle neck shirt (which absolved d.ate all the bowls of food, contributed him in the matter of ties, so far suc­ by so many of the guests, so that a rug cessfully avoided) seemed serenely un­ on the ground was also used as a serving obstrusive. area. I had forgotten to bring knives, so we used the wrong end of spoons to And the wedding cake was mountain spread the home churned butter on the gingerbread. home made bread. The container of ice Atossa Herring French for the punch got broken by an over­ zealous porter on the climb from the road and only a few cubes protected by plastic WEDDINGS bags survived. But none of these things seemed to mar the day. Mr. and Mrs. Roger Farrell (Le Moyne Goodman) who met at a Hudson Guild and Under the warm sun I shared a misty Weekend married last December. eye with Pollard Ritchie, unemployed grandfather; Ali Akbar, Dave's student Mr. and Mrs. Charles Crowder (Helen Fox) from Pakistan, renewed his acquaintance who were married on April ~6. All who with Mrs. Harry Caudill; Toppy met her were at Pinewoods last year met Helen newest cousin, a five week old girl, for as Camp secre·t;a.ry. Charles is a musi­ the first time; Arminda Stacy's child­ cian and was on our Pinewoods staff ren eyed Toppy w1 th an unconuni tted gaze- some years ago - so we have a link w1 th both of them.

27 DANCE IN PSYCHOTHERAPY by Mildred Dickinson

Some time ago I came across an art­ "No girls today, just you boys," they icle that described a beginning dancing began to tumble each other around and therapy class at Bellevue Hospital in make trouble generally. New York, conducted by Franziska Boas. It began, "They didn't want to dance. Then I brought from the adjoining Small boy patients in the Psychiatric room three of my Chinese drums, one Division pounded and kicked on the lock­ large one about 20" in diameter, and ed door trying to get out. The psychia­ two of smaller sizes, sat down in the trist persuaded, the dance therapist middle of the floor, took off my shoes, kept up a rhythmic beat on the drum, but and began to play a sharp staccato the boys would have none of it. 'We want rhythm on the three drums, making a lot to go home,' they shouted, stamping of noise and arousing their attention around the room. But feet fell into step immediately. They all wanteo. to play with the dance rhythm and the dance ther: the drums, but I said they were there apy class was on."· 1 to dance first, and then each one might have a chance at the drums. When I MY own first session at Elgin State said, "Take off your shoes and socks," Hospital was something like this. I had there was a roar of refusal, but fin­ spent a couple of afternoons with the ally the teacher helped me persuade .children in their school room, playing them. I told the big boy who seemed to the piano for informal group singing, be assuming the role of leader that we and getting to know them a little indi­ would do a sort of Follow The Leader, vidually. We had from ten to twenty and asked him to be first. After dem­ children between the ages of seven and onstrating how you can move with many fifteen, the number changing as some parts of your body at different levels, were moved to other institutions, new in different directions in space, (all ones committed, and occasionally someone this in split seconds because I did goes home. They are a mixed group, col­ not dare lose their attention) I immed­ ored and white, always more boys, and iately began to play the drums again, are classified as emotionally disturbed, and after a fashion they all joined in with behavior disorders, and a minority the exercise. The one who showed real of psychotics. interest was a tall colored boy. This is not surprising, because in my ex­ That first day nine, noisy, dis­ perience almost without exception, the orderly boys were brought to me by their colored boys and girls pick up anything schoolteacher; they had been told they . rhythmic almost instantly, wtether it were going to dance, and it was easy to is singing or dancing or playing instru see that none of them thought much of menta. the idea. These children had only exper­ ienced square dancing and what they We did only one other thing that called jitterbug, so the first question first day. Feeling that their interest was, "Where are the girls?" When I said, had to be captured in a spectacular . way, we learned to fall. I explained l(Claire G. Keleher, "Modern Dance as how handy it was to know how to fall Mental Therapy, " Dance Observer, in any direction, forward, sideways :r.hrch 1956.) or backward, without hurting them- selves, and proceeded to demonstrate. from head to feet, stretching the mus­ By this time they would let me talk to cles, in other words 'warming up'! A them, and were able to be quiet~nough violinist will carefuly tune his in­ to be shown the principle of contraction strument before beginning to play; we and release of the jointed areas of warm up our bodies, or tune them, the body, which together with reaches since the body is our instrument for or extensions in the right direction dance." Standing in a circle we moved would enable them to lower the body to head, shoulders, arms and hands, upper the floor in a sequence of movement, body, hips and knees, ankles and feet. which, when speeded up, resulted in a fall. The noisiest, worst behaved boy Then one at a time, following me in the group, with a perfectly co-ordin­ i .n a diagonal course across the room, ated physical body, executed a perfect they began the simplest form of loco­ fall the first time he tried it. Immedi­ motion, walking. With big free open ately he jumped to his feet, backed up strides, heads up, arms swinging natur­ against the wall, and shouted, "I got ally, they walked forward, backward, a to~-gun, all you guys are going to sideways, and in circles. Next came the fall down dead," as he went "ack-ack­ same exercise using running steps, then acking" around the room. This was . not we used a running-record with periodic t oo happy a development, though it was rests or stops. Everyone now had had a fine example of the close relation­ practice in running in four ways , so we ship between movement and idea. all got on the floor at the same time, moving in any direction fancy dictated With the teacher's help, we stop­ but observing two rules: to avoid col­ ped the underworld demonstration by lisions, and to "freeze" in position having everyone lie down on the floor, when the music stopped. Of course this being as still as possible for a minute was kind of a musical game, but one in order to hear the small sounds that they liked well enough to play accord­ are audible in a quiet room; then they ing to rules. To Iey surprise, very few were to tell me what they hea:rd . I did bumps occurred, since they seemed to not try to convey the idea of relaxa­ enjoy developing skill in sidestepping tion that first day; I merely wanted or retreating from any figure in their to set the precedent of a small quiet way. When we stopped, one boy said, "I period in each session. Then each boy know what to call this, ordered con­ had a chance to try out the drums, tak­ fusion." And for many weekS they asked ing turns alphabetically by name, and to repeat this exercise, calling it the session ended. by name.

The group arrived more quietly By now everyone was hot and per­ for the second session, but the first spiring, glad to lie down for the questions were: "Do we have to take quiet period, and we began to use the off our shoes again?" and "Where are word relaxation, and to demonstrate it the drums? " The answer was "no drums by picking up an arm or leg, letting today. We will work with our bodies it flop back onto the floor with no to percussive sounds on the piano, resistance, rolling the head loosely music with a strong beat, written es­ from side to side, or testing the back pecially for people to move to. But by lifting it slightly while upper and before we begin to dance, it's a good lower parts of the body remain sagging idea to loosen up our bodies mechanic­ on the floor. Strangely enough, this ally 1 bending all t he movable parts part of the period became the high spot

29 of their cooperation; each child was ing out the rhythm haphazardly, we soon content to wait quietly in a completely started to talk about the structure of relaxed way on the floor until the music, note-values, phrasing, melodic teacher came to him, and for a minute line, etc. Those children using big or two, f!J3.Ve him her undivided atten­ drums or gongs learned to take the tion. Even the most unruly of the big whole note values i Lighter drums and boys, several of whom in the beginning hand cymbals, half notes; rattles and would not always join in the body ]Jle­ ~bo sticks, quarter notes; and trian­ chanics, would get down on the floor at gles and finger cylilbals, eighth notes. that time and quietly wait to be tested. Using Dalcroze Eurythmics we dance these To demonstrate the difference getween note values, half the group moving and, relaxation and tension, the children half accompanying. stiffened their bodies like boards, so they could be lifted in one piece and Another activity they liked was moved to a different position on the making living statues, each child tak­ floor. ing two measures of music to reach a given spot. The only direction given It is impossible in a few pages is that he must be connected in some to take you step by step through our way with the person who has gone before. growth in understanding dance movement Sometimes I supply the theme or idea we that first year. A very significant will work for, and sometimes the child­ thing is that the children came to 1ook ren do. Here is one ~le that stands forward to the dance period so much that out as a poignant event. I brought a certain of their caretakers began to picture of Lorado Taft's beautiful punish them for misdemeanors on the ward group a.t the foot of the Midway in Chi­ by depriving them of the dance class. cago called Father Time, in which fif­ This, I think, is a mistake, because if teen or twenty sculptured figures, gqod, there is any time when these mixed-up bad, big, little, strong and weak types youngsters can get away from their com­ of people pass before the massive cen­ plicated selves into a free affirDBtive tral figure of ~· The children got kind of action, that time should no more the idea i.Dmediately, and some fine be denied than the air they breathe or strongly phrased Brahms (the E-flat In­ the water they drink. These things are termezzo) helped them to put a certain necessities of life. dignity into their efforts. It was in­ teresting to see who chose what roles. As the children became more fami~­ As in life, some took strong parts i iar with free movement, we began to work weaker ones followed; but there were to some Negro spiritua.ls • The songs some very revealing choices made. In the were used as a framework to contain few minutes it took to present the idea, dance movement that was only slightly there was not much time to figure out directed with the lyrics supplying the what kind of person you were going to be, ideas. _ They began to listen, not only so what came out 'was on a spontaneous for_ rhythm, but the changing level of level of thinking. pitch and dynamics. One of their fav­ orites was "De 01 1 Ark 1 s a-Moverin' ". One day I brought to class some primitive statues from Hawaii; they were We spent some time improvising squat, ugly-looking figures representing accompaniment for our dancing. We had the gods of rain, war, fertilty, etc. a rhythm band using authentic instru­ We made dances about them, working out ments, and while we began by just beat- drum and gong accompaniment.

30 Perceptive awareness, memory and that he was obsessed by the idea. of war imgi.na.tion are all tools put to use by and guns, talked about Hitler constantly1 the creative forces in art. We know the and sonetimes interrupted a class action infinite capacity of the child for stor­ by stalking through it _with a. high German ing impressions; if onzy images of crowd­ goose-step, snou"ting, "Hoch," repeated­ ed rooms, ugly voices, and unfriend.cy' ly in a. loud tone. Once in a. while he people exist, we must add beautiful. im­ would sneer at the ot~rs saying, "Kid ages of sight and sound. stuff. Why don't you l!Bke a. dance like this?" going off into a. series of wild Nature, animal and bird life offer gyrations until he would lose his bal­ never-ending varieties of subject matter ance. One day after he bad done this for use in creative dance. There are sun, several times, I spoke to him as the moon, and stars in the orderly working others were leaving and said, "I truly of the universe; rivers, lakes, and believe you could make a. dance of vio­ oceans; mountains and the moving clouds i lence. Your movements are so strong the branching veins of a. leaf, or the and well co-ordinated that in the prop­ delicate spiral markings of a. shell; er form, they would tell a. convincing weather, storms, lightning, heat, cold, story. Would you like to try it if I wind; the movement of small creatures, can find the proper music? I'll bring insects, ants, beetles, caterpillars; some special records next time, and birds, large and small, eagles, ostriches arrange for you to stay a. few minutes peacocks, roosters, crows, blue jays, after the others go, and we'll work and robins. One of our most famous Amer­ on it. " He finally chose the ''Kha.cba.­ ican Indian dances is the beautiful. turia.n Sabre Dance" as the music and

''Eagle Dance 1 " still to be seen in our literally threw himself into destruc­ Southwest. tive 1 viole.nt action so completely that it was like a dam bursting. He Then there are the folk dances, so had a born sense of dramatic phrasing rich in music. Available now are many and pause, a.s well as good rhythm. wonderful records from Israel. Their sim­ After I pointed out to him the need ple line dances are easy to learn and fun for change of pace 1 and a. clear be­ to do. The directions say, "For as many ginning, climax, and finale, he came as will," a. fine inclusive phrase, and a. out with a. very convincing dance of good kind of group closeness is generated violence. We agreed to allow his psy­ in a. group dance that does not require chologist to see it, and it developed partners. Among the English dances we have that the second time he did it, it used are Sellenger 1 s Round, Gathering was toned down considerably. Peascods, Black Nag, Upon a. Summer's Day, and Hole in the Wall. .Ten days later I f!13.ve a demonstra­ tion with the children for the entire One other striking instance of the hospital staff, since the doctors had theraputic values of dance comes to mind. heard about dance therapy, but had It is about a fifteen year old boy, strong, never seen it in action. When asked good-looking, who was rough, domineering if he would like to do his dance at and antagonistic toward all the other tba. t time, he refused. However, on the children, his teacher, and me. He was day of the demonstration, just after present at dance sessions, but he only the relaxation period, he said, "I took part occasionally 1 always objecting guess I'll do my dance if you want me to removing his shoes. When he did par­ to." So he did, but the dance bad ticipate, he did reverything well, except dwindled, and the original was

31 gone. He bad been able to work out New Yor.k metJtopol1tan area. While ac­ some of his antagonisms and violent tive clubs of this kind are active in feelings through a legitimate channel. Britain, they are unusual in the United His flair for composition repeatedit­ States; in fact, ours is the only such self in quieter ways. In a later. sess­ club in New York City which is both open ion, when we talked about horses, cow-· to the public and controlled by the gen­ boys, corrals and western lif~ in gen­ eral membership. eral, he created a dance fo~ the whole group with a good plan and more than In common with other groups in the adequate movement to what is commonly CDSS, our emphasis is on activities in­ known as "Hi Ho Silver" to L ne ·&i.nger volving participation rather than spec­ audience, the last theme of the '~illiam tatorship. Thus song-swapping and group Tell Overture. " · singing, though they usually yield first place to featured performers in our ad­ Folk dance enthusiasts should feel vertising, are probab.l.¥ our main reason gratified that in addition to the plea­ sure that this activity gives to healthy for being. These activities, along with our instrumental workshops, classes people of all ages, it. is also proving · 1 and discussions, are only the more ap­ to be an increasingly valuable tool in . the rebabili tation of the emotionally parent part of a much larger volume of disturbed child. sound that We stimulate -- namezy prac­ ticing. This sned, though it i s usually thought of as a mere means, is realzy performing for oneself or friends or both and is close to !he authentic spirit of folk music. FOLK MUSIC CLUB We have regular monthzy evening concerts, which include song-swaps; Ke~vin Domovs, former Vice-Presi­ these are held at N. Y. U. with the dent of the PinewoodS Folk MUsic Club cooperation of their Student Activities of the Country Dance and Song Society Board. About once a month we also have has sent this encouraging news of the executive meetings that are open to the group's activities: entire membership. Here again, we allow time for song-swapping and have recent­ The Club was founded three sum,­ zy added an informal performance by an mers ago by those of us who suffered invited folk musician. annually from having to wait all year for one week in the summer at Pinewoods A part of the group has been meet­ Camp. Because of the vigorous spirit .ing once or twice a month to sing part­ of our volunteer workers (especiail.y sings, rounds, and whatever else the our program chairiiB.Il and newsletter members wish. Instrumental and voice editor) we have been able to attract classes are offered for those who want numbers of folk musicians and folk mu­ semi-private instruction. Our potluck sic enthusiasts. Cosequent.l.¥, the Pine­ picnics have been vecy popular, and we woods spirit now blooms not only for one p.l.B.n one every few months. We have had week a year but for fifty-two. memorable weekends each spring and fall at Camp Freedman in Falls Village, Though a few of our two hundred­ Connecticut. In short, our member art­ odd members live far from the CDSS head­ ists are creating indelible memories quarters 1 the majority are from the by design and order.

32 IN MEMORIAM Choate's lovely home in Pleasantville of riding horseback on Christmas morning and of being served ice-cream Almost a year ago our ~ociety lost with Christmas plum puiding - very a good friend when Mrs. Arthur Osgood surprising to an Englishwoman, but Choate died at the age of 80. Perhaps delightful. her first interest was Girl Scouting, but we can claim that Country dancing In October 1966 she attended a and the work of our Society came high world-wide conference of Girl Scouts in the list of her other interests. in Japan at which 68 nations were re­ presented. She flew to Japan with a An active dancer herself for many friend only after having failed to con­ years 1 up to the time of the Second vince her eldest son that it was safe World War, She attended Pinewoods Camp for her to travel alone. "I told him i n 1964 and astonished many by her I wouldn.'t be alone," she said, "I wa~ agility on the dance floor. She used a going to see Girl Scouts all over." stick to be sure of her footing on camp paths 1 but at the sound of a country Anne Hyde Clarke Choate was con­ dance tune the stick was flung away and nected with a long line of people who she was in the middle of the dance. For ~ve service to America. An ancestor, a number of years she was President of George Clarke, was Colonial Governor the New York B-ranch of the Society and ot New York from 1734 to 174o. Her when New York became the national head­ husband 1 s uncle, Joseph H. Choate, quarters she became a member of our · was Ambassador to the Court of st. Advisory Board. She was the moving spirit James, and another uncle, William G. in our pre-war Seventh Regiment A:rroory Choate, founded t~ Choate School. Spring Festiva.ls and worked to obtain The service that she ~ve was always their financial support. Each year un- given with ~iety and happiness and til her death it was a great encourage­ a poem that she said guided her lite, ment to receive from. her 1 not only an ended with: annual gift, but a warm note speaking of her interest in the Society's work "Give me a sense of humor, Lord; and her commendation of all that was Give me the grace to see a joke, accomplished. To get some happiness from life, And pass it on to other folk • .t-tY own feeling of gratitude to Mrs. Choate is very deep 1 as it was Our friend will be much missed. largely due to her support in my early M.G. days in this country that I was able to remain here. Morning classes for LUCTIE ANNA l£RRY: PUrZ of Cleveland., her large group of friends, classes for Brownies - including her young daughter, Ohio. On ~ 31st we lost another old friend and member of long stand 1 ng. Anne - and an extension, formed due to her interest, of the already existing As a member of the Cecil Sharp Club ot New York classes and membership, pro­ Cleveland Lucile enjoyed many years of vided the addi tiona! support needed friendship and dancing, incluiing visits by the New York Branch in order to have to Pinewoods. a 1'ull-time Director. I have very The Club bas sent a memorial donation pleasant memories of being invited to to the Society, which will be used to spend my first Christmas here at Mrs. add to our Library.

33 BOOK REVIEWS ..

Old.English Customs by Roy Christian hlk Song in England by A.L. Lloyd published by Country Life Limited, published by International ·Publishers, London, 1966. 35 shillings New York 1967. $10.00

Roy Christian has written a highly Many people who have taken univer­ readable survey of the abundance of folk sity courses on ballads and other forms customs that still flourish in rural of folk song have been struck by the dry England. As the author points out, the earnestness (not to mention the pedantry) people in many of the villages continue with which some academics treat a form · to re-enact rituals that go back before that is usually characterized by spon­ recorded history. Even in instances taneity and emotion. The scholar's know­ where the original significance of a ledge of the subject often seems more at custom has been forgotten, the practice home in the library than in the fields, is often conti.nued through some innate mines 1 pubs, and cottages where the tendency to keep alive the traditions tradition originates and graws. of previous generations. What is particularly refreshir.g For instance, Mr. Christian cites about A.L. Lloyd's ambitious study of the example of the ringing of the cur­ ·English folk song is that it reflects a few. The custom was started in the early robust enthusiasm for the subject. In Middle Ages as a signal to dampen fires fact, he takes a certain delight in de­ and lights at night as a safety precau­ flating the pompous aspects of the aca­ tion. Though the ban was lifted in the demicians with what he calls their twelfth century, there are still vill- "dry-stick minds." For instance, he ages which regularly ring the curfew takes issue with the view that the ballad bell each morning. is the "aristocrat" of the folk song Two features of the book make it world: "The scholar, his head full of unusua..l.l¥ appealing. The author's style aesthetic value judgments, is often at is lucid and energeti~, and his descrip- a loss to know why the folk singer ~ . tions are often nade vivid through attach more importance to a seemingly first-hand anecdotes. And the hundred banal and humble song than to the ace and twenty-off illustrations give a and deuce of Eng. Lit. masterpieces." rich graphic supplement to the narra­ tive. He also feels a kind of sympathy for the earnest scholar who labors Of special interest to our member­ merely on the texts of the ballads. ship, are the introductory chapters that "There is sadness," he comments, "in the deal with the origins and practice of thought of Child, the 'prince of ballad students,' labouring all those years on the Horn1 Sword1 and llirris dances as well as the section on the Mummers' the poetry of the songs with hardly a thought for the music that brought the plays. Here as elsewhere in the book1 the illustrations are voluminous and words to life." authentic. In view of the many pot-shots that This is a useful introductory sur­ Lloyd takes at the scholars, it is a bit ironic that one of the first things that vey 1 suitable for readers of all ages 1 and it contains a bibliography for those comes to mind to s~ about his book is who would like to pursue the origins of that it is scholarly. By this I mean specific eustoms in greater depth. J.D. 34 that he has undertaken a work of extre­ vidual- 1 lit erary'),into that as mely broad scope and has pr oduced a book yet vaguely-charted territory that is fresh, perceptive, and knowledge­ that lies between folklore proper able. He not only surveys the history of and the realm of the commercial English folk song, but he r~lates its hit, an otherwor ld into which tradition to a wide variety of other traditional songs in thei r resur­ cultures. rected form seem to integrate themselves quite happi ly, changed Though he wears his erudition i n functi on but still widely sung, light~, Lloyd is able to show how Eng­ listened to 1 and carried around in lish customs are similar to those of the head with love. other nations. For example, in discus­ sing the rituals related to the changing More char acterist ic, however, i s of the seasons, he cites the cl..istom of hi s ability to look at his subject the ''mating of young married couples in fresh~ and to express hi s views clearly the furrows at seed-time, a custom known and concretely. In reading this book, in ancient China, familiar in Hellenic one is almost always aware of t he pre­ tradition, and recent~ persisti ng not sence of an individual seeki.ng to under­ merely in Greece and southern Italy but stand and t o explai n a subject that also in the uplands of Missouri and ultimately relates to the most basic Arkansas •••• " quailties of human nat ure . His envoi 1 "Away then pages; do your beat : I have The study nay be said to be un­ done mine ," is not only eloquent but it scholar~ only in a special sense. His rings t r ue as well. style is often colloquial, and he is never reluctant to express his own opin­ ions. Like the Wife of Bath, he i s more apt to trust experience than authority. Religues of Ancient Poetry by Bishop This second tendency nay be understood Thomas Percy published by Dover Press 1 when one realizes that he is an able New York, 1966. 3 vola. $6.75 folk singer himself and bas done con­ siderable field work in many di fferent When Bishop Thomas Percy issued parts of the world. In short, his back­ his now classic Religues of Ancient ground entitles him to challenge many Poetry in 1765, ballads and other forms conventional attitudes, which have often of folk song wer e regarded with i ndif­ been formulated by men whose f i r st- hand ference by many men of t he literary es­ information has been limit ed. tablishment . The ballad form seemed to them to be crude 1 unsophisticated, and 1 Occasionally Lloyd's style rambles, banal. Dr . Johnson s amusing parody of sometimes at crucial points. This sen­ the form reflects such an attitude: tence, for instance, appears i n t he Preface: The tender infant meek and mild Fell upon a stone; I suppose what is newest i n The nurse took up the squealing this book is the picture it of fer s child of the continuity of folk song, But yet the child sq~al'd on. 1 from the classic'' rural forms 1 through the urban industrial f orms Per cy ' s collection did more t han (those queer analgams of t he col­ any other s i ngle work to spark t he first lective-folkloric and the indi- revival. It is both pleasing and fit- 35 ting to see that now 1 during a period changes are on the whole for the better, that in the future mey- be ca.lled the and they make more interesting a book second ballad revival,. his inf'lueiltial that was already notable for the detail­ work is now back in print. The Dover ed and intimate portrait of the man who re-issue is based. on the definitive did so much to reviving the traditions . text that was edited in 1866 by Henry to which our Society is dedicated. B. vlheatly. In addition to revising the earli­ Bercy came to his interest in old er work1 Miss Ka.rpe].es has added a com­ folk poetry by the rr~st curious of cir­ pletely new cha.pttr,. which traces the cUir..stanCl'!s. As a young man, he rescued continuing inf'li>ences of Sharp's work from the hands of a chamber-maid an old during recent decades. She aptly com­ manuscript that she was about to use to ments that he "understood the human -start a fire. What he found by accident significance of the songs and dances he became the focus for a central activity had gathered and through them he gave of his life, and he indefatigably search~ us the means of realizing more fully ed for variants of the songs that he had the possibilities of our own natures." found as well as looking for other speci- , Here is a fitting tribute to a dedicated mens of early poetry to supplement his man, who saw clearly and· passionately collection. It was in the Reliques that the need for our culture to foster its many ba.lla.ds that are now regarded as traditional bonds with the past. classics were first given widespread J.D. circulation. Such was the case with Sir Patrick Spe!:.J.S" and ''Barbara Allen,." to name but two examples. Orchesop:raJLhY by Thoinot Arbeau1 trans. Percy's work rerua.ins the corner­ by Mary Stewart Evans 1 with an Intro­ stone of ba.llad ooll.ecting and scholar­ duction by Julia Sutton and. a New Laba­ ship. As one critic has stated,. "After notation Section by Mireille Backer and Percy the Ballad' a value as historical Julia Sutton,. published by Dover Press,. and literary illustration was establish­ New York1 196T. $2.25 ed, and even to take the ballad serious­ ~ as poetry could no longer be thought This voltune is a Dover Press re­ foolish." print of a recent translation of one of J.D. the most valuable and detailed source books on 15th and 16th century dances. It was undertaken late in life by a Cecil Sharp. His Life and Work by Maud scholarly clergyman,. who thought that Karpeles published by the University his main contribution to learning was of Chicago Press,. 1968. $5.95 a now-forgotten work on astronomy 1 but he lef't in manuscript these "scribblings The members of our Society will to kill time" that were destined to be­ be pleased to learn that the definitive come one of the classic works on the biography of our founder is back in dance. His real name was Johan Ta.bourot, print in a well-designed, illtistrated though he is best known by his anagram­ edition. Maud Kar:peles 1 who is Cecil matic pseudonym,. Thoinot Arbeau. Sharp's Literary Executor and a friend of many of our members 1 has undertaken It was first published in 1589 and extensive revisions and a.dd1 tions of is written in the form of a dialogue be­ the work which she originally wrote tween dancing-master and pupil. There with A.H. Fox Strangew:_eys in 1933. The are numerous detailed descriptions of

36 fashionable dances of the period, to­ century. The birth of Christ is depicted gether w1 th illustrations 1 probabl:y as a play within the play, and here Miss done by the author. The book is more Preston has artfully dramatized passages than a dance .manua.l1 for Arbeau has the from the King James Version of the Bible. oore general intention of stressing the The medieval tradition is again used in cultural value of dancing both for the the third play, "Born in a Stable"; its individual and the COILI!luni ty. principal source is The Nativity Play of the York Cycle. The new Labanotation section was worked out by one of our members, The plays have been acted over Mireille Becker, with the assistance of the years by f:i.f'th graders at the Poto­ the editor; the supplement includes the mac School, but Hiss Preston points out appropriate music transcribed into mod­ that they are "suitable for any age that ern notation. The editor comments that can p~ the parts with unself-conscious­ this section was the "result of careful ness, natural dignity, and humor. 11 John study which included actual performance Langstaff selected the music for the of the dances. " It is obviously an in­ choral interludes that accompany each valuable aid for anyone who wishes ''to play. Here, of course, older .children bring these charming and vigorous dances as well as adults ma.y participate. to life. " J.D. This should be a very practical and flexible book to work with. Miss Preston gives numerous helpful sugges• ATrilogy of Christmas Plays for Children tions that have come out of her years by Carol Preston published by Harcourt of experience working vi th c'iildren, Brace and vlorld, New York, 1967. $3.95 and she i ndicates various ways that the plays may be adapted to meet the needs This attractive volume consists of diverse groups. There are also ap­ of three charming Christmas plays that pendices concerning the chorus, music, ~re developed and directed by Carol costumes, properties, lighting, and ~eaton during her many years as Head­ staging. The interesting supplement on mstress of The Potomac School in the dances was contributed by Miss Gadd 1 Virginia. What distinguished them from who has for a number of years worked so many plays written for children is with the children on this aspect of the that they are simple, yet at the same production of the plays. In keeping time retain a sense of the wonder and with the spirit of the action, music, profundity that is central to the litur­ and song, she has based the dances on gical tradition. traditional American and English forms, with an emphasis on naturalness of This is partly explained by the movement. fact that J.tiss Preston has successfully blended into ne'tr works, material that Teachers and directors of child­ is deeply rooted in ancient traditions. 11 ren' s gro'.l:ps wiD. find this well de­ The first of the group, "Old Christmas, signed volume a refreshing addition to combines the folk tale that ascribes the dramatic material appropriate for the gift of speech to animals on production during the Christmas season. ~istmas Eve with elements from The J.D. ~cond Shepherds Play, a medieval ~stery play from the Townley Cycle. The second, "In a Manger Laid, 11 is set in rural America at the turn of the

37 Six Mummers' Acts, ed. , Alex Helm.. and As we might expect the diction of E. C. Cawte published by Guizer Press: the plays is simplej the metaphors ar~ Ibstock, 1967. Six shillings. unsophisticated but often very colorful. The meter is usually irregular but This collection consists of a rhyme, often couplets, abounds. The half-dozen texts of what are usually lines have a kind of artlessness and called Mummers' ~~ though acts directness that gives them freshness more accurately describes their brief, and force: episodic nature. Each text is based on a transcription of an actual perform­ In comes I the Duke of Cumberland ance, some made in the nineteenth cen­ tury, others done as recently as this With my broad sword in my hand. decade. The editors include a general introduction, as well as informative Where is a man who dare before notes on eacp text. Their intention me stand? throughout is to give the reader, or potential director, of the plays as I would kill him, slay him, and much information as possible about the cut him up as small as flies, traditional manner of their presenta­ tion. And send him to Jamaica to make mince pies. The central theme of the dramas is one of death and rebirth, ritually This volume makes available mat­ associated with the winter season. erial that will be of general interest They are usually performed during to the folk-lore enthusiast and pro­ Christmas time, and St. George (some­ vides invaluable information to those times titled "prince" or "king") is who would like to produce a modern the hero. He encounters a powerful and revival using the traditional methods. haughty adversary such as the King of Egypt or the Duke of Cumberland and J.D. slays him. The fallen foe is then Editor's Note CDSS welcomes this book brought back to life by a comic doctor. as an addition to its sparse collection There are always colorful minor charac­ of Mummers 1 Plays, which includes "The ters who comment on the action. Ampleforth Sword Dance and Play" in S'vord Dances of Northern England by The editors give detailed descrip­ Cecil Sharp, the English Folk Play by tions of the costumes and comment that E.K. Chambers and The Mummers' Play ' disguise was an important element in by R. J. Tiddy. enabling the folk-actors to be imper­ sonal in their parts. They never employ­ Members may like to be reminded ed a stage or sceneryj rather they per­ that among its collection of films for formed the drama in houses or village rental, the Society has a Mummers' Play - streets. The actors stood in a semi­ color and sound. It is called ·~alk In, circle, stepping forward to give their St. George" and was filmed by the EFDDS lines then returning to their places. at the village of Symondsbury in Dorset, The only lively action occurs in the England. It is authentic in every detail battle scene and this practice may be except the time of year. For photographic a late innovation. The plays conclude reasons the villagers performed the play with a plea for gifts and then a final out of doors in the Spring instead of carol is sung. indoors at the traditional Winter season. CDSS Sales Catalogue Helm, Alex and E.C. Cawte. Six Mu!pmers' Acts. Gmizer Press: Ibstock, 1967. Re­ viewed in this issue of CDS. Sue Salmons with the assistance of Elizabeth Hodgkin and Elizabeth Rodgers Wortley, R~sell. How to Play the English has compiled a very useful catalogue of ~and Tabor. E.FDSS: London, 1967. A dance and song mterial that my be pur­ practical guide to playing one of the chased through the Society. oldest English musical instruments.

This sixty-page compilation con­ Members are reminded that it is well not sists of nine annotated sections; two to expect too rapid delivery of orders. list English Country Dance Books; the Much of our stock comes from England and other seven detail material on Morris there is often a considerable delay in Dance Books, Sword Dance Books,American receiving books, records and swords ordered. Contra and Square Dance Books, Dance

Records and Tune Books, Background Books 1 English and American Song Books, and ADD rriONS TO CDSS LIBRARY Dance Equipment. Arbeau, Thoinot. Orchesograp!g.* Dover The cost of the catalogue to mem­ Press: New York, 1967. bers is 35¢ (post-paid); to non-mem­ bers; it is 50¢ (plus postage). Christian, Roy. Old English CUstoms.* Country Life i:.i.mTt'eda London, 1966. Karpeles, Maud. Cecil Sharp: ,!!!! Life and Work.* Universtty of Chicago Press: ADDrriONS TO CDSS SALES DEPARTMENT Chicago, 1968.

Bell, Michael. Suggested Harmonies for lloyd, A.L. ~ ~ ,!!! England.* _In­ the Tunes in the Fiddler's Tune-Book. ternational Publishers: New York, 1967. EFDSS: London, 1967. Useful~practical dance playing because of its simple chord­ Percy, Thomas. Reliques of Ancient Po­ ing notation. ~·*r%0. 3 wls. Dover Presa: New York, Cassie, Bill. Rapper Knots from ru,m ~. EFDSS: London, 1965. An illustrated des­ Preston, Carol. ! Trilogy 2,! Christmas cription. rapper Sword Dance figures from Plays for Children.* Harcourt, Brace, an ancient community in Durham County. and Worid: New York, 1967. Cawte, E.C. and C.J.F. Soper. The Rapper Sedley1 Stephen. !!!! Seeds of ~· Dance as Taught m£, the Lowerson Fami].y Essex Music Limited, 1967. An extmsive at Murton. Gmizer Press: Ibstock, 1967. collection of' songs f'rem the British A detailed account of an unusual rapper Isles, published in association with dance that has been a tradition in the EFDSS. Lowerson family for over half a century. An asterisk after the title of' a book Hamilton, Jack, ed. Community Dances indicates that it is reviewed in this lthnual 1iJ... E.FDSS: London, 1967. Contains issue f!)f em. All of the above volumes nineteen dances from various sources in­ may be orcrei=ed through the Society. Or cludi.ng squares, contras, long sets and they may be consulted at our Headquar­ waltzes together with thirty tunes. ters in New York.

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