Bauman

Allen

Dunkel

Allen

Dunkel

Allen

Bauman

ale

assure you that this gmposkum was truly a meeting just for exchange of
ideas and discussion of problems in the dancee

Yes, and it proved to be both worthwhile and stimulating. This symposiun
should be particularly important to all persons following education in
Kansas, for it marks the beginning of a movement that has been growing in
eastern and western colleges for some yearse The fact that sufficient
interest and vitality in dance departments from Kansas colleges has
initiated such a movement is a real portent of their progress in this
fields

Well, I am glad to see this interest growing, and want to know something
more about ite Now, Miss Dunkel, I am going to ask you a question which
I am sure you expect me to ask, since I coach one of the competitive
sports. Was this symposium conducted on a competitive basis?

No, Dr. Allen, there was no element of competition in the symposiums And
for my part, I trust that never creeps into ite The purpose was purely
one of sharing ideas and of comparing work in the schools which take
leadership in dance activities. With practically every activity in the
physical education program conducted on a competitive basis I feel it is
right that dancing should only emphasize opportumities for individual
development of skills and appreciations. Dancing is essentially creative,
and would lose the thing that makes it most worthwhile if subjected to
the strains of competitione

Of course, you are exactly right, Miss- Dmkel. Now, tell us something
about this program at Manhattan.

At Manhattan our program for the day consisted of informal demonstrations
by each school presente These demonstrations were given like a class
period with no attempt at costuming, lighting, or concert perfectione
Technique was included, showing the order of progressions which different
teachers used, and several dances were also given to illustrate points

in dance composition and performance, Then in the afternoon all students
and teachers were guests at a recital which presented a youmg concert
dancer from Wichita.

Itm sure this must have been a most interesting and instructive program,
and I would have enjoyed secing ite How many colleges were represented
at the symposium, Mrs. Bauman?

Not so many as we hope to have in following years - Wichita University,
Kansas State College at Manhattan, and K.U. were the only three at this
meeting, but when you consider the difficulty of transporting girls and
equipment at individual expense this was a good response for a starte
All in all, I suspect there were about 55 students and teachers at the
conferencee Of course, 2111 colleges in Kansas who have dance departe
ments are invited, and I think within another year we cam easily havo
twice the number of schools that got there this yoar, And I might add,
Dre Allen, that K.U. hopes to be hostess to the dance symposium within
another year, and anyone who is interested may attend the demonstrations.