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Cecchetti
Day 2002
80th
Anniversary of the Cecchetti Society
What
a treat was in store for all who attended Cecchetti Day at the Commonwealth
Institute in London on Sunday 21st July. The wonderful, varied day was
a most suitable celebration for the 80th anniversary of the founding
of The Cecchetti Society.
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Junior
& Senior Scholars.
Seniors: 'Shades of Black & White',
Juniors: 'Viva Vivaldi'
Photographs
by Geoff Wheatley |
The
first session of the morning by the multi-talented Stuart Marsden was
entitled 'Having fun developing rhythm in young children'. With the
emphasis firmly on 'fun' his young guinea-pigs responded enthusiastically,
as did the audience, to his lively demonstration of ways to develop
awareness of rhythm, pitch, phrasing and musicality through 'play'.
This
was followed by an absolutely fascinating lecture-demonstration by Nicola
Gaines, illustrating the links between Nineteenth Century social dance
and classical ballet. Her lecture was beautifully brought to life by
Junior Associates of the Royal Ballet School, accompanied by Stuart
Marsden at the piano. Nicola Gaines made us all aware of the richness
and importance of our historical heritage from social dancing.
Next
came a demonstration of the new additions to the Advanced 2 syllabus.
The additional exercises and new music (to avoid the need to use the
same music for several exercises as previously) have been agreed by
an international Cecchetti committee and will be adopted world-wide.
Presented by Cara Drower and Richard Glasstone, the work was beautifully
danced by 5 Cecchetti students from the vocational schools - Ben Dixon,
Glenn Graham, Nicci Lynham , Amy Thake and Sarah Warren. The additional
work and music will be a most welcome enrichment of this excellent syllabus
for teachers and students alike. The dancers were most fortunate in
their accompanist - Stuart Marsden, who also selected and edited the
new music for the Cecchetti Society.
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| Cara
Drower & Richard Glasstone with students for Advanced 2 demonstration |
The
morning culminated with the presentation of awards, in recognition of
long service to the Cecchetti Society, to three of our most eminent
and respected teachers - Gillian Dawson, Linda Davies and Molly Caulder.
During lunch we all enjoyed a slice of the Cecchetti Society's 80th
birthday cake, and the chance to catch-up with friends and colleagues
from all over the country.
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| Presentation
of Long Service Awards. (L-R): Wendy Tucknott (for Molly Caulder),
Linda Pilkington - Chairman, Linda Davies & Gillian Dawson. |
The
afternoon started with a showcase performance by a selection of winners
of Cecchetti Area and Mabel Ryan Awards. What a joy to see the breadth
of talent amongst young Cecchetti dancers across the country. They were
all a real credit to their teachers, who must all feel justly proud.
It was a unique opportunity to see winners of different awards all dancing
at the same performance.
Following
the showcase we enjoyed a most fitting tribute to the much loved and
sadly missed Barbara Geoghegan. A lifetime devotee of Cecchetti Ballet
and Classical Greek Dance, she was also a fine musician. Miss Geoghegan
was always particularly associated with the Cecchetti Scholars and the
Choreographic Competition. The tribute started with a delightful revival
of 'The Daisy Chain' a dance choreographed by Miss Geoghegan to music
also composed by her; it was charmingly danced by Kelly Carpenter. The
tribute appropriately continued with a performance by the Cecchetti
Scholars. The Junior Scholars were vivacious in Sandra Powell's 'Viva
Vivaldi' and the Senior Scholars were sophisticated in Susan Handyęs
'Shades of Black and White'. This was particularly apt as both choreographers
(now senior examiners for the Society) were themselves former Cecchetti
Scholars! The Society must be proud of these talented young dancers.
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Kelly
Carpenter (Susan Handy) in the Daisy Chain Dance choreographed by
Barbara Geoghegan in 1954 |
There
was a rare treat in store for the last session of the day. Lesley Collier
generously gave her time to come and coach Jenny Tattersall of the Royal
Ballet Company in two of Swanildaęs variations from Coppelia, in the
current Royal Ballet version choreographed by Petipa and Cecchetti himself.
With accompanist Richard Coates at the piano, Lesley Collier gave inspiring
coaching in the two contrasting variations, both of which embodied the
true Cecchetti style in their choreography. Her quiet, dignified approach,
with positive encouragement and absolutely clear demonstration of exactly
what she wanted her most talented and willing dancer to achieve, was
an inspiration to all the teachers present.
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| Lesley
Collier coaching Jenny Tattersall from the Royal Ballet Company in
a variation from Coppélia |
Every
year we all say that 'this was the best Cecchetti Day yet' and each
year we are astounded by an even more inspiring day than the year before.
Our thanks and admiration are due to the Chairman Linda Pilkington and
her hardworking Committee. How will they follow this? All I can do is
advise you all to book your tickets early for next years Cecchetti Day.
Teresa
Ferguson
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