Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
Encyclopedia
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS), was founded in 1923 as the Scottish Country Dance Society by Jean Milligan and Ysobel Stewart of Fasnacloich, who wanted to preserve country dancing
as performed in Scotland
, country dancing having fallen into disuse after the influx of continental ballroom dances such as the waltz
or quadrille
s and, later on, American-style dances like the One-step
or foxtrot
. (The SCDS didn't become the RSCDS until the early 1950s.)
The RSCDS collected dances from living memory as well as from old (17-19c.) manuscripts and republished them in a series of books. Most of these dances needed some interpretation, and the dance style itself underwent serious standardisation, becoming much more balletic instead of the easy-going style that was the norm in the early 20th century, and which the RSCDS's founders considered sloppy and untraditional. After some argument, in the late 1940s the RSCDS also started publishing newly-devised dances.
Today the RSCDS numbers some 20.000 members all over the world, served from the headquarters in Edinburgh
, and the continuous well-being of the Scottish country dance scene is largely due to the efforts of the Society. The RSCDS offers teacher training and holds an annual summer school in St Andrews
, Fife
for four weeks in July and August.
Despite the apparently healthy membership, many of the society's members are middle-aged or elderly, with relatively few younger dancers. This is more of a problem in Scotland itself, and the society is trying to encourage the younger generation to take an interest in Scottish country dancing. The main problem in Scotland appears to be one of image, with other Scottish dance societies such as the St Andrews Celtic Society, founded in 1796, and Dunedin in Edinburgh attracting many young dancers. The RSCDS is making inroads into making the society more appealing to younger dancers. Elsewhere in the world, the age structure of the RSCDS membership is much more homogeneous.
Scottish country dance
A Scottish country dance is a form of social dance involving groups of mixed couples of dancers tracing progressive patterns according to a predetermined choreography...
as performed in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, country dancing having fallen into disuse after the influx of continental ballroom dances such as the waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
or quadrille
Quadrille
Quadrille is a historic dance performed by four couples in a square formation, a precursor to traditional square dancing. It is also a style of music...
s and, later on, American-style dances like the One-step
One-Step
The One-Step was a ballroom dance popular in social dancing at the beginning of the 20th century.Troy Kinney writes that One-Step originated from the Turkey Trot dance, with all mannerisms of the latter removed, so that "of the original 'trot' nothing remains but the basic step".The One-Step...
or foxtrot
Foxtrot (Dance)
The foxtrot is a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. It is danced to big band music, and the feeling is one of elegance and sophistication...
. (The SCDS didn't become the RSCDS until the early 1950s.)
The RSCDS collected dances from living memory as well as from old (17-19c.) manuscripts and republished them in a series of books. Most of these dances needed some interpretation, and the dance style itself underwent serious standardisation, becoming much more balletic instead of the easy-going style that was the norm in the early 20th century, and which the RSCDS's founders considered sloppy and untraditional. After some argument, in the late 1940s the RSCDS also started publishing newly-devised dances.
Today the RSCDS numbers some 20.000 members all over the world, served from the headquarters in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, and the continuous well-being of the Scottish country dance scene is largely due to the efforts of the Society. The RSCDS offers teacher training and holds an annual summer school in St Andrews
St Andrews
St Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
, Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
for four weeks in July and August.
Despite the apparently healthy membership, many of the society's members are middle-aged or elderly, with relatively few younger dancers. This is more of a problem in Scotland itself, and the society is trying to encourage the younger generation to take an interest in Scottish country dancing. The main problem in Scotland appears to be one of image, with other Scottish dance societies such as the St Andrews Celtic Society, founded in 1796, and Dunedin in Edinburgh attracting many young dancers. The RSCDS is making inroads into making the society more appealing to younger dancers. Elsewhere in the world, the age structure of the RSCDS membership is much more homogeneous.