In a survey performed at the BYUH Cafeteria, 56 percent of students reported they want to hear more slow songs at school dances. Several students who attended a recent dance shared their thoughts and experiences at dances held on or near campus.
Heather Haney, a sophomore from the Big Island double majoring in biomedicine and Hawaiian studies, shared what motivates her to attend to dances. “I go to the dances because it gives me something to do on a Friday or Saturday night. I enjoy going to them because I meet new people and hang with the friends I already have. I personally refer students to the chapter dances more than the [school-sponsored] dances.”
For others, going to a dance is not their first option. Mitchell Jenson, a freshman from Washington majoring in computer science, said, “I have a pretty good time at the dances but not the best. I mostly go because my friends want me to go and to make new friends.”
Keiana Shinkle, a freshman from Texas and Oregon majoring in secondary mathematics education, said she doesn’t like to stay long at these types of activities. “Generally, I go to dances to hang with my friends and ideally make some new ones. I have fun for a while, but they have a tendency to be consistently awkward and often better classified as a stand or sway rather than a dance.
“I like going, but I rarely stay for more than 30 to 45 minutes. I recommend the dance to my outgoing friends who like to dance and we’ll go for a bit, but ultimately wind up elsewhere doing something where it’s easier to actually socialize,” Shinkle continued.
Jenson said he isn’t a fan of the music and recommended more music variety. He commented, “Not everyone is looking to just jump up and down like a rave. There are so many old classics, including a couple of slow songs each dance. That would increase the diversity and enjoyment. If you go to make friends, you shouldn’t be there because it isn’t the best atmosphere to make friends. It is mostly just a rave.”
Instead of constant up-beat music, Shinkle commented that introducing more slow songs would be a huge benefit. She stated, “Loud music is fun and energetic, but makes a difficult environment to converse with those around you.” She added, “I think having slow dances can be extremely advantageous as it better allows for actual socialization and increases the possibility of meeting others.
“Slow dances provide a chance for people to ask strangers to dance in a low-risk environment, which naturally leads to conversation and interacting with others both in and out of your immediate friend group,” Shinkle added.
Haney counseled that playing more slow songs would be beneficial to the atmosphere BYUH tends to advocate. “If this school is so forward on dating, I think they should play slow songs to help encourage students at activities like these. It gives an opportunity for someone to get to know someone better.”
Jenson shared the same mind-set, and he advocated, “If slow dances were more commonly played, the amount of dates happening would increase. This would also cause guys to be more comfortable with taking chances to ask girls out. Dances would become more [of] a social hub where people can meet new people they are interested in.”
However, playing more slow songs can present several issues, such as deteriorating the environment some students want. Shinkle said, “Slow dances can bring down the mood that the deejay has built up and the pumped up vibe that people have going.”
Haney recognized that not all students are confident enough to ask someone to dance. Haney said, “Slow songs can be a mood killer for most, [especially] if you’re too scared to ask someone to dance or if it’s just not your style of music.”
Haney would like a mixture of both hype music and slow songs. She shared a “good compromise would be to play four or five slow songs throughout a dance and that’s it. I think [they] still have up-beat dance songs, but throwing in a slow song every once in a while isn’t bad.”
Shinkle agreed if the school wants everyone to come and enjoy the dance, the school should do its best to accommodate different types of music. She recommended playing a slow song every five to seven songs. “That way, the high-energy could be maintained, but there is the sprinkled opportunity [to socialize] for those who want to.” Compromise and understanding is what Jenson suggested. He understands “the lack of slow dances could save the feelings of some people who get rejected along with saving the girls from dancing with guys they don’t want to. Personally, I love slow dances because it opens up a whole new style of dance. Not to mention it is a great way to get to know someone better.”
Writer: Dani Castro