My immediate assumption was that if there was a direct equivalence of the figures used to the syllabus of, say, Bronze, Silver & Gold, then they would have been named accordingly, rather than as Grade I, II & III.
The IDTA, of which Laird was a member, no longer specifies ANY figures at any medal level of the amateur tests, but merely gives a minimum of five different figures at bronze level and six at silver, chosen (by the teacher) to give a "sound presentation of the dance which is within the capabilities of the candidate". Interestingly, as the levels progress, the syllabus does not require more advanced figures, but a higher standard of dancing - which is a very different approach to, say, ISTD, with its lists of figures, some of which are bizarre (why, for example is the double reverse spin in waltz (silver) considered an "easier" figure than the turkish towel in cha cha (gold)? Alex Moore (an ISTD man himself) says the DRS "should only be attempted by advanced dancers (silver - advanced?), whereas the turkish towel is very simple and can be taught in about five minutes flat, even if it does have 30 steps.
Could anyone with an older edition than mine (2003) say whether these amalgamations have always been named after "Grades", or is this a change to reflect the fact that the society's syllabus no longer prescribe different figures at different levels?
