St Andrew's Summer School Experience
by Olivia Newby
In the final week of July last summer, I packed my dancing shoes and made my way to St Andrews to attend my fist ever RSCDS Summer School. I had only begun Scottish Country Dancing with the OUSDS 6 months before, and only knew one other person from the society attending the same week of the Summer School that I was, so it is fair to say I was feeling apprehensive on my journey to Scotland.
Most courses at Summer School last 1 week (unless you are taking a teaching course) and run from Sunday-Sunday. On the Sunday evening, there was an introduction dance. I entered the room with some trepidation, not knowing anyone there, but quickly relaxed as everyone was very welcoming and friendly. Classes started the morning after and were held 9:30-12:30 Monday-Saturday. In these classes, we learnt country dancing steps and practiced 2-3 of the dances that were on the programme for the social dance that night. In the afternoon, you could either have some free time to explore St Andrews, or you could attend optional Highland Dance or Scottish Step classes. I attended a couple of the Highland classes and made it on to the demonstration team. This meant that I rehearsed a dance with a small group of other students to perform to the rest of the Summer School attendees on Thursday evening, at a social dance held at Younger Hall. I enjoyed the camaraderie that developed between the members of our demonstration team, as performing Highland dancing was unfamiliar to all of us, but what an exhilarating experience it was! Most evenings there was a social dance, except for Wednesday when there was ceilidh dancing and Friday when there was a ceilidh (like a talent show where people sang, recited poems, played instruments and danced). After the social dances, I often went to the party room in the University Halls where people continued to play music and dance until the small hours of the morning.
I improved my dancing technique and learnt lots of new dances at St Andrews, but it was the friendships I formed there which makes my memories of Summer School so special to me. Most people I met had been to summer school multiple times before and I can definitely say that I will be going back! I must thank the OUSDS committee for granting me a scholarship to help fund my trip to Summer School and for introducing me to the world of Scottish Dancing. I have since joined a local RSCDS branch in the North-West of England and will be taking part in the Newcastle Festival in February 2023. For anyone who is contemplating going to Summer School, I would encourage you to go! You will have a brilliant time learning lots of new dances with enthusiastic dancers from all over the world and, hopefully, you will make lots of unforgettable memories.
by Kathy Xu
I made my pilgrimage to the St Andrews Summer School, helped by the generous support of the OUDSDS.
The compactness of St Andrews was the first surprise—whelped by the ether the beach, sightseeing spots, or shops, every place seems at hand. Where is the golf course? "I'll show you. Turn around, walk to the end of the road, cross the road, and you'll see the beach and the golf course." Oh, how long will it take? "Four minutes' walk.” To the library? 4 minutes' walk. To the pier (where St Andrews' students walk in their red gowns)? 4 minutes' walk from the library. Tesco? One minute's walk. Sainsbury’s? One minute's walk from Tesco.
I stayed in a tourist hostel, which is two doors away from the Victoria Memorial Hall, where our first three morning classes were. The walk to the University Hall was the longest: all of fifteen minutes. But don't be mistaken that I went to St Andrews for tourism. No. I went there with sole purpose of learning Scottish Country Dance. But, to my delight, I was able to see most places of interest in the limited spare time available.
The classes were Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 12:30; and in the afternoons (14.00-17.30), there were optional classes, or meetings. The only day on which there was no class in the afternoon was Saturday. The evening social dances started at 20:15 and finished at 22:30 or 23:00. Every class began with basic steps to warm up, then particular steps, and then particular dances. Normally we would learn three dances each morning. The afternoon classes included Highland steps and a walk-through of the dances that were on the programme of the evening dances.
After the first day, I understood the fullness of the scheduled activities. After the second day, I wondered when, if ever, I had time to rest my feet and legs. After the third day, I found I could not turn into certain positions in the morning class and was shocked that I could not drag my left leg to quicken my steps when crossing the road after the class. I limped on the way back and became a bit frightened about my legs. In my careful preparation for the week, this was not something I had envisaged. In the afternoon dance, I began to adjust my steps to a walking style—not really dance at all—and now I comprehend why some people walk in the dances! The fourth day, I felt a little better. Mercifully, there was no evening dance on Friday but a Ceilidh, which gave a tremendous rest for my legs, so that I could dance and not just walk on Saturday night.
I came home with the knowledge and skills I gained from the teachers and suffused with their enthusiasm. Throughout, I experienced the friendship of my classmates, encouragement from everyone, and the kindness of the Scottish people. And I have great memories of the wonderful performances, songs, and shows put up by the teachers and learners. "Are you coming back next year?" I was asked by many learners. I don't think it likely that people can resist the urge to return once they have been to the Summer School. I will certainly go back.
The RSCDS Summer School is hosted every year at the University of St Andrews, and runs for four weeks in total (participants take part in one week).
OUSDS is very fortunate in that we can offer OUSDS members a contribution towards Summer School. Talk to a member of the committee if you would like to apply for funding.
For more information check the RSCDS website here.
