Scrolling down this page, you will see a list of modern sequence dancing waltz routines which may interest you. But what is sequence dancing and where does it come from? Sequence dancing is a form of dance in which a preset pattern of movements is followed, usually to music whose pace and style is also predetermined. Sequence dancing may include dances of many different styles, including ballroom dancing.
Sequence dancing in general is much older than modern ballroom dances. With the exception of the waltz, invented around 1800, all dances in ballrooms were sequence dances until the early 20th century. After modern ballroom dancing developed, in England, sequence dancing continued. It included so-called ‘Old Time’ dances and also adapted versions of the new ballroom dances, and then versions of Latin dances. Sequence dancing is a competitive sport as well as a social pastime.
The British Sequence Championships is the most famous annual sequence dance competition and is part of the Blackpool Sequence Dance Festival. This is has been held in the Empress Ballroom, Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England, since 1949.
Modern Sequence Dancing
Modern sequence dancing has a repeat of the steps at every sixteenth bar, typically going on for five or six sequences in all. Specially performed sequence dance music in strict tempo is usually needed, although some ‘ordinary’ music may suffice provided it is played in 16 bar sections or sequences throughout. Ideally, sequence music will have a four bar introduction at the correct tempo and in the correct rhythm, followed by 5 or 6 sixteen bar sequences allowing all dancers to progress around the room and ending when the music finishes.
There are many different tempo types for sequence dancing, based on the classification of each dance. Each has an accepted speed of playing so that a typical programme of sequence dancing has a wide variety of activity. Sequence dances are split into 3 different sections; ‘Old Time’ – also occasionally seen as ‘Old Tyme’ – (now referred to as ‘Classical’), ‘Modern’ or ‘Latin’ with the dividing line being somewhere in the early 20th century. New sequences are being devised all the time and the number which have been published as scripts is currently (in 2010) standing at over four thousand
Old-time (Classical) dances:
Old-time Waltz, Country dance, Quadrille, Galop, Polka; Saunter, Gavotte, Two Step, Mazurka, Schottische, Cakewalk.
Modern dances:
Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz
Latin-American dances:
Rumba, Cha-cha-cha, Samba, Jive, Paso Doble, Bossa Nova, Salsa, Mambo.
Regular competitions are held between dance teachers to decide which newly created sequence dances shall be ‘officially’ adopted and scripted for wider distribution. Most of these are tried for a short while at various venues and then disappear into the archives. Some, just a few, find great popularity and join the select group of dances which last for several years round the dance halls.
Most people who attend these functions will recognise the Alpha Waltz, Mayfair Quickstep, Waltz Cathrine, Rumba One and many others.
New Vogue
New Vogue is a set of sequence dances which use modern ballroom technique. It was developed in Australia from the 1930’s onwards and is a danced socially and competitively across Australia and New Zealand. There are fifteen competition dances which cover March, Foxtrot, Tango and Viennese Waltz rhythms. New Vogue sequence dances need to be distinguished from other Modern Sequence dances, many of which come from England and other countries.
Sequence dance scripts
These are written in a shorthand form similar to phone texting or knitting patterns. The jargon is easily learned and the shorthand can be understood. Ultra keen sequence dancers subscribe to the specialist dance script publishers who are authorised by the copyright holders to copy and distribute the scripts immediately they are issued by the competition organisers (the copyright holders).
List of Modern Sequence Waltzes
WALTZ DANCES:
Adoration Waltz
The Adoration Waltz is a 16 bar slow waltz and should be danced to music at a tempo of 30 bars per minute. We commence the dance in normal ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing the line of dance. Both the man’s and lady’s steps are described here.
Alpha Waltz
The Alpha Waltz is one of the favourite and best known ballroom sequence dances. The original dance script was approved by the Sequence Dance Advisory Board in 1969. It is a 16 bar dance to be danced to music at a tempo of 32 bars per minute. The dance commences in Normal Ballroom Hold, with the man facing and lady backing diagonal-to-wall.
Apple Blossom Waltz
The Apple Blossom Waltz is a modern sequence dance. The dance script was composed by Samantha Heywood in 1992. It is a 16 bar slow waltz and should be danced to music at 31 bars per minute. We commence the dance in normal ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing diagonal to wall.
Autumn Mist Waltz
The Autumn Mist Waltz is a modern sequence dance and was composed by Audrey Bromage and Michelle Webster in 1989. It is a 16 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 31 bars per minute. We commence the dance in ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing diagonal to wall.
Bluebird Waltz
The Bluebird Waltz dance script was composed by Michael Davis in 1982. It is a 16 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 30 bars per minute. We commence the dance in normal ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing diagonal to wall down line of dance.
Catherine Waltz
The Catherine Waltz is a modern sequence dance. The dance script was composed by Arthur Shaw in 1956. It is a 16 bar slow waltz and should be danced to music at a tempo of 30 bars per minute. We commence the dance in normal ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing the line of dance.
Charmaine Waltz
The Charmaine Waltz is a modern sequence dance. The dance script was composed by Joe Smith in 1967. It is a 32 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 48-52 bars per minute. We commence the dance in right shadow hold with both the man and lady facing the line of dance.
Cheviot Waltz
The Cheviot Waltz dance script was composed by Debbie Long and Renee Turner in 2002. It is a 16 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 30 bars per minute. We commence the dance in normal ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing diagonal to wall.
Collad Waltz
The Collad Waltz dance script was composed by Heather Ellem in 1989. It is a 32 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 52 bars per minute. We commence the dance in Loose Ballroom Promenade Hold with the both man and lady facing the line of dance. Both the man’s and lady’s steps are described.
Colleen Waltz
The Colleen Waltz is a modern sequence dance. The dance script was composed by W. Northey. It is a 32 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 48-52 bars per minute. We commence the dance in Right Closed Extended Hold with the man facing and the lady backing the line of dance.
Christmas Waltz
The Christmas Waltz dance script was composed by John and Rose Shepherd. It is a 16 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 32 bars per minute. We commence the dance in Normal Ballroom Hold with the man facing and the lady backing diagonal to centre.
Dream Waltz
The Dream Waltz dance script was composed by Robert Stewart in 1967. It is a 16 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 32 bars per minute. We commence the dance in normal ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing diagonal to centre down line of dance.
Emmerdale Waltz
The Emmerdale Waltz is a 16 bar dance and should be danced to music at 30 bars per minute. The dance was first choreographed by W.J. Crook in 1979. It begins with the man on the outside, facing “diagonal to centre” down the line of dance.
Empress Waltz
The Empress Waltz dance script was composed by Ted Kirk and J O’Reilly in 1933. It is a 32 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 52-54 bars per minute. We commence the dance in Shadow Hold with the man behind the lady and to her left and both facing down the line of dance.
Engagement Waltz
The Engagement Waltz dance script was composed by Ken Park in 1988. It is a 16 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 32 bars per minute. We commence the dance in normal ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing centre.
Eden Waltz
The Eden Waltz dance script was composed by Michael and Angela Hayton in 1986. It is a 16 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 31 bars per minute. We commence the dance in normal ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing diagonal to centre down line of dance.
Evergreen Waltz
Lucille Waltz (New Vogue)
The Lucille Waltz dance script was composed by Bert Cartledge of Melbourne in the 1930’s. It is a 32 bar dance (see paragraph numbers) in the usual 3/4 waltz time and should be danced at a tempo of 50 beats per minute. We commence the dance in right semi shadow hold with the man and lady both facing down the line of dance and the lady in front of the man and slightly to his right. The man’s right hand should be on the lady’s hip and their left hands should be held at about shoulder height. We describe both partners’ steps, with the Lady’s in italics.
Merrilyn Waltz
New Vogue Modern Waltz
The New Vogue Modern Waltz dance script was composed by John and Adrea Barwick in 2006. It is a 16 bar slow waltz and should be danced to music at a tempo of 30 beats per minute. We commence the dance in normal ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing the wall.
Oxford Waltz
The Oxford Waltz is a modern sequence dance. The origin of the dance script is unknown. It is a 32 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 48-52 bars per minute. We commence the dance in Normal Ballrooom Hold with the man facing and the lady backing the line of dance.
Parma Waltz (New Vogue)
The Parma Waltz dance script was composed by N.C. Locke. It is a 32 bar dance in the usual 3/4 waltz time and should be danced to music at a tempo of 48/54 beats per minute. We commence the dance in right shadow hold with both man and lady facing the line of dance.
Remembrance Waltz
The Remembrance Waltz is a 32 bar modern sequence dance. The dance script was composed by Joy Gullick-Holmes in 1996 and dedicated to her late husband, Jack. It should be danced to music at 52 bars per minute. The dance commences in open extended hold with both partners facing down the line of dance.
Serenade Waltz
The Serenade Waltz is a modern sequence dance. The dance script was composed by Jack Kennedy in 1943. It is a 32 bar dance and should be danced to music at a tempo of 46 bars per minute. We commence the dance in Open Hold with the man facing and the lady backing line of dance.
Swing Waltz (New Vogue)
The swing waltz is one of the really enjoyable new vogue sequence dances. It is appropriately named, in that it includes a number of swings back and forth, or sideways, of arms or legs during the sequence. It is a 32 bar routine at three-quarter timing and should be danced to music at 50 bpm. It begins with the man and lady in open extended hold, facing down the line of dance as the music begins.
Tracie Leigh Waltz (New Vogue)
The Tracie Leigh Waltz dance script was composed by Bernard and Betty Reilly in 1965 and named after their daughter, Tracie Leigh. It is a 32 bar dance in the usual 3/4 waltz time and should be danced to music at a tempo of 50 beats per minute. We commence the dance in open extended hold with the man facing diagonal-to-wall and the lady facing diagonal to centre down line of dance.
Twilight Waltz (New Vogue)
The Twilight Waltz dance script was composed by John Bartlett in 1944. It is a 32 bar dance in the usual 3/4 waltz time and should be danced to music at a tempo of 52 beats per minute. We commence the dance in ballroom ballroom hold with the man facing and the lady backing the line of dance and it ends with a reverse Viennese Waltz.
Victor Harbour Waltz
