RSCDS Summer School in St Andrews, 2024

SUMMER SCHOOL 2024

14 JUL – 11 AUG

14 JUL – 11 AUG

e Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) is a Scottish Charitable Company, Limited by Guarantee, that promotes and celebrates Scottish country dancing around the world.

Registered Scottish Charity No SC 016085

e RSCDS is pleased to work in partnership with a range of agencies, organisations and businesses. We gratefully acknowledge their collaboration and appreciate their support.

IN THIS BROCHURE...

1 Event Information

What is Summer School?

2 Location

Where to find Summer School.

3 Accommodation

See all of our accommodation options.

4 Classes

Find out more about our classes and what to expect during each week of Summer School.

5 Young Dancers’ Week

Programme designed especially for our younger dancers and an opportunity for families to enjoy a dance holiday together.

6 Music

Develop your music skills with some of the best Scottish musicians during one of our musician courses.

7 Social Dancing

Show off your dance skills during one of our Social Dancing events.

8 Scholarships

Learn about our Scholarship opportunities.

EVENT INFORMATION

Taking place over four weeks each year, Summer School is an action-packed RSCDS event full of dancing and music in the historic town of St Andrews. Join fellow dancers and musicians from around the world for a week or two of classes and social dancing. Summer School is open to both members and non-members.

It is recommended that young dancers under 18yrs attend during Youth Week. Please note, all classes will only run if there is sufficient interest.

Throughout the week dancers will be taught by different teachers, enjoy live music, and learn in a new venue so you can experience first-hand the world class atmosphere Summer School has to offer. All dancers will attend a Scottish country dance class of their own ability each morning with a range of activities taking place in the afternoons.

Just half an hour from Dundee and less than two hours from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, St Andrews is accessed by a good road and rail network.

For more information on St Andrews and the surrounding area visit: www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/st-andrews

7

INVERNESS

ST

OPTIONS

University Hall

Summer School is based in University Hall, Kennedy Gardens. This is an historic building in its own attractive grounds near the University playing fields. The rooms are study bedrooms, either single or twin, many have wash-hand basins, but all other bathroom facilities are shared. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in nearby well-equipped kitchens.

Agnes Blackadder Hall

Formerly New Hall, residents can opt to stay in Agnes Blackadder Hall. This accommodation is for adults only. This venue is approximately a 10-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from University Hall.

Non-residents

Attendees who choose to reside in accommodation other than University Hall or Agnes Blackadder Hall will be considered

All bedrooms have an en-suite shower room with tea and coffee making facilities and a television. Most of the bedrooms have one double bed and can be occupied by one or two attendees. These rooms are compact when used for double occupancy and couples may prefer to have a room each. Agnes Blackadder Hall has a bar, spacious foyer and dining room, where breakfast is served. All other meals are served at University Hall. All university bedrooms are serviced daily and are provided with towels and bedlinen.

Non-Resident for the duration of their Summer School booking. Other University accommodation can be booked directly through the University of St Andrews and there are a number of hotels, B&B and self-catering options available in or near the town.

CLASSES | BEGINNER, ESSENTIAL & CONSOLIDATING SKILLS

Beginners class (Week 3 only)

If you have not discovered the fun of Scottish county dancing or have very little experience, then choose this class. You will be taught the basic steps, formations and simple dances. Some dances from the evening programmes will be taught.

Essential Skills

This course is for those early in their Scottish country dancing journey as well as those returning to dancing after a break. You should choose this class if you are interested in working on the fundamentals of dancing and looking to improve all aspects of your technique.

The class will focus on improving footwork, and explore social aspects of dancing such as teamwork, the use of hands, phrasing, good eye contact etc. It will help to build confidence and understanding of common formations. To benefit from this class, it is important that you have a basic understanding of the formations in List 1.

Consolidating Skills

This course is for dancers with more experience. They should have a good standard of footwork, technique with good phrasing and teamwork, and wish to improve and develop their dancing and knowledge.

Dancers must be able to sustain a good level of energy and a commitment to improving their performance. To take part in this class, it is essential that dancers can dance all the formations in List 1 without a walk through and have a good dancing knowledge of the formations in List 2.

CLASSES |

CHALLENGING HIGH IMPACT, CHALLENGING

LOW IMPACT AND DANCING FOR ALL

Challenging High Impact for very experienced dancers

This course is for dancers who can perform at the highest level, with excellent footwork, handing and technique and who wish to be challenged further. This is a high impact, physically demanding class which requires a very good level of physical fitness.

To take part in this class, dancers are expected to dance all the formations in Lists 1 and 2 without a walk-through, as well as having a good dancing knowledge of the formations in List 3.

Challenging Low Impact

This course is for dancers who would like to be challenged but who do not desire the physical intensity of a high impact class. You will have a very good knowledge of formations and technique, but may have sustained an injury or are unable to perform high impact footwork. Dancers should still retain an excellent understanding and delivery of the technical elements of dance. The course will incorporate low-impact techniques, with those attending actively involved in all aspects of dance. It is expected that those taking part will have a comprehensive knowledge of most of the formations in lists 1, 2 and 3.

Dancing for All

This course is for dancers with several years’ experience along with a reasonable level of fitness, who prefer to dance at a lower energy level. The class will continue to provide help and support with the more complex formations. Technique will still be covered in terms of phrasing, covering, handing, eye contact and posture to improve the overall execution of the dance but at a physically less demanding level.

Dancers should be able to dance the formations in Lists 1 and 2, but may need a walk-through of some formations in List 3.

LISTS

List 1

• Lead down middle and up

• Figure of eight

• Reel of three on sidelines

• Set and cast off

• Hands round and back

• Reel of three across

• Petronella turn

• Hands across and back

• Promenade for 2 or 3 couples

• Allemande for 2 or 3 couples

• Right and lefts for 2 couples

Poussette in reel or jig time

• Grand chain for 3 couples

• Ladies chain

• Turn corners and partner

List 2

All formations in List 1 plus:

• Figure of 8 for 2 couples

• Set to and turn corners

• Mens’ chain

• Set to corners and partner (hello goodbye)

• Double triangles

• Reel of three after set to and turn corners

• Strathspey poussette

• Reel of three after set to corner and partner

• Set and rotate for 2 or 3 couples Reel of four on the diagonal

• Knot for 2 or 3 couples

• Reel of four across starting from sidelines

List 3

All formations in List 1 and List 2 plus:

• Bourrel for 2 or 3 couples

• Reel of three in tandem changing lead

• Corners pass and turn

• Reel of four across including progressing one place

• Espagnole

• The spoke

• Petronella turn in tandem

• The targe

• Rights and lefts for 3 couples

• The tourbillon

• Set and rotate for 3 couples

• The tournee

• The Chain progression for 2 or 3 couples

CLASSES | TEACHERS & TUTORS

Teaching Certi cate

For those wishing to take their teaching certificate during Summer School 2024, applications must be received by 28th March 2024.

Unit 5 (weeks 1 and 2)

Two groups will be running.

Tutors: Janet Johnston and Andrew Nolan

Units 2 and 3 (weeks 3 and 4)

Tutor: Andrew McConnell

Shadow Tutor: Eric Finley

and Wednesday afternoons during week 1 and week 3.

CLASSES | YOUNG DANCERS’ WEEK

Junior Summer Camp

Young people aged between 8

Young Dancers' Week

Designed for Young People aged between 12 and 17 years of age, young dancers will attend a class of their ability along with the other Summer School dancers. There will be opportunities for this age group to get together with peers in some

e Musicians’ Ensemble Course (Week 1)

Learn how to play together as a group for Scottish country dances. Led by some of Scotland’s finest musicians, this course is a perfect place to learn the basics of playing for an evening social dance in a group. The course culminates with all course attendees on stage for the final evening dance of the week in the prestigious Younger Hall. The tutors for 2024 will be Scott Band (course leader), Mo Rutherford, Gillian Stevenson.

e Class Musicians’ Course (Week 3)

Learn how to play for a Scottish country dance class. Led by RSCDS Music Director Luke Brady, this course will give you the opportunity to shadow and learn from musicians on staff during morning classes. The afternoon session provides an opportunity to review your progress, whilst discussing and learning how to provide the best music for the dance classes in your area. With strictly limited places, this course can be shaped to fit the attendees particularly needs or interests.

CLASSES | SCHEDULE

Week 1

14th – 21st July 2024

Available classes:

• Essential Skills

• Consolidating Skills

• Challenging High Impact for very experienced dancers

• Challenging Low Impact

• Dancing for All

• Musicians’ Ensemble Course

• Unit 5 of the RSCDS

Teaching Certificate (candidates are required to attend weeks one and two)

• Tutor Training Course

Week 2

21st – 28th July 2024

Available classes:

• Essential Skills

• Consolidating Skills

• Challenging High Impact for very experienced dancers

• Challenging Low Impact

• Dancing for All

• Unit 5 of the RSCDS

Teaching Certificate (candidates are required to attend weeks one and two)

Week 3

28th July – 4th August 2024

Available classes:

• Beginners

• Essential Skills

• Consolidating Skills

• Challenging High Impact for very experienced dancers

• Challenging Low Impact

• Dancing for All

• Tutor Training Course

• Units 2/3 of the RSCDS

Teaching Certificate (candidates are required to attend weeks three and four)

• Class Musicians’ Course

• Junior Summer Camp

• Young Dancers’ Week

SOCIAL DANCING

You will nd social dancing taking place on most evenings during Summer School. is is usually held in University Hall and Younger Hall.

Each evening there will be social dancing in University Hall, with the option of ceilidh dancing on some evenings. It’s a fun and sociable evening and you can move between the Scottish country dancing and the ceilidh dancing when you wish to rest the feet and the brains.

Each Thursday evening during Summer School there are public dances in Younger Hall. Admission is included in the Summer School fees, except for morning only participants. Any remaining tickets will be released towards the end of May. On these evenings there will be a ‘Nice and Easy’ dance in the Common Room at University Hall.

Please note that the designated responsible adult is required to accompany young dancers aged 8 – 17 years to all social dances. Only dancers aged 8 years and above may be on the dance floor during social dancing. Branches and Groups nearby also offer opportunities for social dancing during Summer School and details will be available from the RSCDS

SCHOLARSHIPS

Open to RSCDS members during the annual application process, scholarships can cover up to the cost of one week’s residential attendance at Summer School. Scholarships are available for all ages with preference given to young dancers and musicians aged 35 and under.

If you are applying to attend a teacher certificate course, scholarships can cover up to the cost of two week’s residential attendance.

Scholarship applications have closed for Summer School 2024; keep an eye on our website and social media platforms for details of 2025 applications.

For more information and to apply, go to https://rscds.org/get-involved/scholarships

FUN, FITNESS AND FRIENDSHIP

“ " "

Great to be back in St Andrews playing at the spiritual home of Scottish Country Dancing!

Andrew Lyon

Summer School brings together three of the best things in the world: dance, amusement, and friends.

“ "

It was a great experience to dance with so many people from all corners of the globe.

Elle Wyatt

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Héloïse Cornelius

“

The brilliant teachers and musicians both taught us and inspired us, as did fellow dancers.

I have enjoyed lots of wonderful weeks at Summer School in St Andrews over the years and can’t wait to be back. The dancing is great, the music is fantastic, the atmosphere amazing and it’s all such great fun. Its lovely to meet old friends from past Summer Schools and new friends from all over the world.

“ "

Jim Lindsay

TO BOOK YOUR SUMMER SCHOOL HOLIDAY IN THE HISTORIC TOWN OF ST ANDREWS

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

SUMMER SCHOOL 2024 APPLICATIONS