Susan’s Syringa Strathspey – 32 bar Strathspey for three couples danced in a 4 couple set. A deceptively simple dance with hidden depths giving an opportunity to focus on form and timing detail
1-8: First couple lead down the middle. On bar 5 first man dances below his partner, turning her under his arm, and changing to nearer hands to dance up to first place, finishing in the middle between second couple, first man facing second woman, first woman facing second man. Second couple dance up on bars 5-6 [or on bars 7-8 and turn to face first couple as they dance to the top.
9-11: First man and second woman, giving right hand, and first woman and second man, giving left hand, dance a three-quarter turn [three bar turn. This is a large, sweeping turn; shoulders of second couple should align as they turn. First couple finish in second place facing third couple.
12-14: First man and third woman, giving left hand, and first woman and third man, giving right hand, dance a three-quarter turn three bar turn. This is a large, sweeping turn; shoulders of third couple should align as they turn to finish with first couple in second place on their opposite sides. (Third couple begin by the left foot on Bar 12)
15-16: Second, third and first couples set.
17-20: First man with second couple and first woman with third couple dance a right hand wheel.
21-24: First man with third couple and first woman with second couple dance a left hand wheel.
25-28: First couple dance a half figure of eight, woman down between third couple and man up between second couple, to finish on own side in second place.
29-32: Second, first and third couples turn with two hands.
Repeat from new places.
Devised BY Ann Campbell on September 28 2006 for Susan Elliotson
Suggested music:
The Dean Bridge of Edinburgh, Track 4 on The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Twelve Modern Scottish Country Dances in Traditional Form Book 23