The Bowdoin Orient

December 1, 2000
Volume CXXXII, Number 10

Swing dance is not exclusive

by Peter Holman and Elissa Ferguson

To the Editors:

  We were disappointed and frustrated to read the editorial in the last issue of the Orient regarding the upcoming Junior/Senior Ball. The author argued that by making the dance a "swing" event, it aimed to exclude those members of the Junior and Senior classes who cannot dance swing or who do not enjoy this style of music.
  The reality is that those who selected the music were aware of this sentiment, and they worked to find a band that departed from the swing genre, but which would still maintain an atmosphere of panache. The organizers of the Junior/Senior Ball who chose this band did so after listening to dozens of tapes of performers and elected this band because they felt that their sound was unique from the typical "swing" style.
  We appreciate the suggestion made by the writer to mix the music up, perhaps by inviting other bands, but the reality is that, due to budget constraints, the classes do not have the means by which to fund more than just one group. With a higher ticket price we would have been able to provide more variety. However, in an effort to be sure that the dance is not "exclusive," we chose to keep the ticket price down to $5, a portion of which, we should add, will go to support a local family for the holidays. With a low ticket price, our hope is that less people will be deterred from joining us in what will be a joyful occasion as this semester nears completion.
  The quickness to judge the dance as being too exclusive is unjustified for those who donated their time to organize the ball. As class officers, we always encourage your input in the planning of activities, and we hope that in the future you may suggest changes before the details have been set, rather than raise objections after the event has been organized.

Sincerely,
Peter Holman - Senior Class President
Elissa Ferguson - Senior Community Service Coordinator