STANDARD APPLICATIONS (June 1998)
By: Jeff Garbutt, Western Australia 


So where do "standard applications" fit in ? And why do we need another "level" - don't we have enough ? 

I believe that Callerlab may have created something which just might solve one of square dancing's biggest problems - the disappearance of "Mainstream".

As I understand it from the letters and articles I've been reading in magazines over the last 5 years, the problem goes something like this:

- Years ago, mainstream had a strong following, even "Basic" dances existed in some places.
- Beginners classes would start every year, with graduation to mainstream level. New dancers would go out visiting to explore their new found activity.
- Somewhere along the line the explosion of more mainstream dancers caused a varied cross-section of dancer ability. From newer graduates to "old hands" - from those who learnt quickly to those who take a little longer - from those who learnt from every possible set-up to those who learnt only standard ones.
- Callers wanted to cater for all dancers - so they started calling to the "level of the floor".
- Eventually the "level of the floor" started dropping.
- "Good" dancers started getting frustrated as they couldn't get challenging "Mainstream" - so they either dropped out or moved onto "Plus".
- As each new class graduated, they also found "Mainstream" frustrating, so some of them moved onto "Plus" - others simply dropped out.
" Friends of existing dancers wanted to join the activity, but they found that when they graduated, they couldn't dance with their "experienced dancer" friends just yet. They had to learn "Plus".
- Classes started catering for those who wanted to go straight to "Plus". Nobody seemed to want to go to "Mainstream".
" "Mainstream" clubs started disappearing. And without a solid "Mainstream" club environment, the "level of the floor Mainstream" offered at big nights and festivals didn't get any more challenging.
- By default - "Plus" became the new standard.

I know I may have over-simplified the situation - and I would be happy if it were not true. 

But if it is - is there any point at which it could have been stopped ? The answer is yes - if there was an alternative to "level of the floor mainstream". This would allow those who want challenging mainstream to have it. This would also give newer mainstream dancers something positive to aim for. 

I believe that is where Callerlab's "Standard Applications" may save the day. If dancers are able to choose between "Full Mainstream" and "Standard Mainstream", then:
- Experienced dancers will have something challenging to dance to, without having to spend more time learning extra moves.
- Newer dancers will still have a dance level (Standard) at which they can gain experience.
- Newer dancers will be able to dance with their friends that graduated a year before.
- Newer dancers will have something to aspire for. Once they get tired of "Standard" they can get more challenge out of "Full mainstream".
- Experienced dancers will be in less of a hurry to move into "Plus" or higher. Some might opt to stay in "Mainstream".
- "Mainstream" level may re-establish itself as the default program.

The Australian experience is different, and I'm not sure if the two levels of mainstream would work. For some reason, maybe our isolation, we have managed to keep at a default program of "Full Mainstream". "Level of the floor mainstream" never seemed to happen here. In fact some basic level dances still occur. 

Plus is becoming popular, but our callers and leader's seem to be united in one un-written rule: "Two years experience at mainstream before starting in a plus class". As a result, Plus is still seen as an option rather than a necessity, and "Full Mainstream" still exists to provide the challenge experience dancers want.

But for those areas where "Mainstream" is non-existent or dying - maybe the dual mainstream program could be used to revitalize square dancing. If experienced dancers know that a "full mainstream" dance is on they may give it a try. Some might even come back. Some may form the nucleus of a new club. 

There is of course a downside to all of this. "Full Mainstream" is not only more challenging to dance - it is more challenging to call. Callers will have to study more to work out more interesting, varied and challenging figures. It may be necessary to give "full mainstream" dancers only to those callers who are capable. 

Some say that "Standard applications" would be just another dance level. And I suppose they could be right. But I would prefer to think of giving dancers a choice to stay in "Mainstream" for a while longer - instead of having to rush into "Plus" to get the required challenge they want.