MODULE 25: Square Dancing (America)

I.                    Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:

a.       define square dancing;

b.      identify the two types of Square Dancing; and

c.       execute the steps in Square Dancing.

II.                  Overview:

Square Dancing today is often thought of as a vigorous and exciting dance set to classic Country and western, American music. Square Dancing is a folk dance with four couples (eight dancers). In this dance, the participants perform a routine in the shape of a square. This dance originated in England and France and was brought to the United States by early settlers and it quickly a part of their culture. Square Dancers are prompted or cued through a sequence steps by a square dance caller to the beat of the music. The Caller leads and responsible for calling out the instruction to the dancers but does not participate in the dance. There are two types of Square Dancing: the Traditional square dance or also known as “old time square dance”  and Modern Western square dance or called as western square dance or contemporary square dance”.

III.                Learning Content:

Square dance is a folk dance with four couples (eight dancers) arranged in a square. The dance was first described in 17th century In England and France then it was brought to the United States by early settlers. It has become associated with the United States of America due to its historic development in that country.US has designated it as their official state dance.

The various square dance movements are based on the steps and figures used in traditional folk dances and social dances of the various people who migrated to the USA. Some of these traditional dances include Morris dance, English Country Dance.

Square dancing is enjoyed by people around the world, and people around the world are involved in the continuing development of this form of dance. Square dancers are prompted or cued through a sequence of steps (square dance choreography) by a square dance caller to the beat of music. The caller leads, but usually does not participate in the dance. Square dance calling is both an art and a science. The caller's task is to create dance sequences that have the qualities of good body flow, good timing, surprise dancers and are resolved with dancers in sequence and have the correct partner pairings.

It is estimated today that millions of Americans and countless others around the world participate in square dancing. Modern square dance is growing, and new ideas are continuously introduced, ensuring that square dance remains vibrant. Although the average dancers remain in the mainstream levels of square dancing for four to five years, advanced and challenge levels of square dancing have been developed to maintain the interest of the dancers.

There are two broad categories of square dance:

Traditional square dance, which is also called "old time square dance". Traditional square dance is not standardized and can be subdivided into regional styles. The New England and Appalachian styles have been particularly well documented; both have survived to the present time. There are several other styles; some have survived or been revived in recent years, some have not. They make use of Folk music in this dance.

Modern Western square dance, which is also called "Western square dance", "contemporary Western square dance", or "modern American square dance". The basis of modern Western square dance was established during the 1930s and 1940s by Lloyd Shaw, who solicited definitions from callers across the country in order to preserve traditional American folk dance. They make use of country music in this dance.