Scottish Country Dancing in Schwäbisch Gmünd, since 1970s
Scottish Country Dance
In their home country of Scotland, Scottish Country Dances have a long tradition dating back to the 18th century. However, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, founded in 1923, this style of dance has now gained numerous enthusiastic followers from various nationalities worldwide. This is primarily attributed to the exceptionally beautiful music, interesting choreographies, diverse step techniques, and, most notably, the social nature of the dances. They are both aesthetically pleasing and athletic at the same time.
The fact that the published and globally accessible repertoire is constantly being expanded with newly created dances and music compositions, all remaining true to the traditional style, proves that this is a vibrant dance tradition. There are currently about 10,000 published dances, spanning a period of approximately 250 years.
The dances are performed in a group of usually eight people in a "gassenaufstellung" (a type of formation). A fixed dance partner is not required, and entry into this wonderful pastime is possible at any age.
The unique combination of movement and music appeals to the body, intellect, and soul alike, and dancing together as a team is especially enjoyable.
The Rechberg Scottish Dancers
We are a registered non-profit organisation.
The club's objectives are the promotion and furtherance of the practice of dancing, both, for adults and, in particular, children and youth, with the main emphasis on "Scottish Country Dancing".
To achieve these objectives, the club offers weekly classes, taught by qualified dance teachers.
The club organises and runs own workshops for beginners and for advanced dancers. Club members also attend events organised by other Scottish Country Dance groups in Germany and abroad.
For further details on the club's activities, please refer to Classes and Events.
History
An enthusiastic group of people has been practising Scottish Country Dancing in Schwäbisch Gmünd since the early 1970s. The founders of the local group were the late Karin and Hans-Joachim Willberg, a couple who used to live in the nearby village of Rechberg. The group thrived under their joint leadership which lasted 20 years. Karin Willberg was responsible for classes and all other dancing events. She was presented with the Culture Award of the Schwäbisch Gmünd town council and with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society's Scroll of Honour. Hans Willberg devoted himself particularly to the support and encouragement of the younger generation of dancers.
From the start, St. Michael's Church Hall in Schwäbisch Gmünd was the venue for the regular Friday evening classes. And from 1981 - 1996 an additional weekly adults' class was run at Rechberg's community hall.
A children's and youth class was set up by Hans Joachim Willberg as early as the mid 1970s. It met regularly at the Buhl Sports Centre in Schwäbisch Gmünd. A few years later, a second children's class was formed in the village of Rechberg, this eventually merged with the other children's group in the town centre.
The 1980s saw the heyday of Scottish Country Dancing in the area, with a total of approx. 65 dancers, almost 50% being children and young dancers. During that time the "Scottish Dancers" were a regular feature of Schwäbisch Gmünd's annual town festival. Not only did they take part in the international dancing displays, but they also ran one of the refreshment stalls. The group also played an active part in the annual culture festival which was organised by the town council for many years running.
Originally, the group was known by the name "Willbergs' Dance Group". Later and until the end of 2003, it was organised under the umbrella of a large Stuttgart-based dance club. In November 2003, the group became independent, re-organised its structure in order to achieve its objects more effectively and established a non-profit-making association which was officially registered by the name of Rechberg Scottish Dancers e.V.
"Rechberg" as part of the club's name bears a relation to the Willbergs who used to live there, but also to the Scottish Country Dance weekends which have taken place in the village of Rechberg every year since 1971.
Thanks to efficient planning and preparation, only 10 days passed between the inaugural meeting of the Rechberg Scottish Dancers e.V. and the group's entry in the Official Register of Societies and Associations. All matters of organisation and insurance having been dealt with, the first dancing class of the newly-established club was held in January 2004.
CLUB
The Rechberg Scottish Dancers is a registered non-profit organisation.(Vereinsregister Ulm Nr. 700952)
We are members of /affiliated to:
WLSB - Württembergischer Landessportbunde.V., Stuttgart
TBW - Tanzsportverband Baden-Württemberg e.V., Stuttgart
RSCDS - The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Edinburgh
COMMITTEE
Chairperson
Ute Scherrenbacher
Vice Chairperson
Ute Pitzal
Treasurer
Judith Fingerhuth
Secretary
Lothar Dolle
Youth Organiser
Carolin Wieczorek
© 2003-
Rechberg Scottish Dancers e.V.
Logos: Udo Scherrenbacher
Design and maintenance of the website:
Sybille Spägele
webmaster@rechbergscottishdancers.de