Texas Fourth

Date of Premiere: April 26, 1973, Agnes de Mille American Dance Heritage and students of North Carolina School of the Arts; July 8, 1976, American Ballet Theatre premiere

Original Cast: (American Ballet Theatre premiere) Dennis Nahat (Fiddler, Batonist, Head Batonist), William Carter (Buck and Wing), Rebecca Wright (Girl), Eric Nesbitt (Boy), George de la Pena (Piano Player), Buddy Balough (Trumpet player), Ruth Mayer (Ghost of the Mother)

Music: Traditional and songs by Harvey Schmidt

Running Time: 15 minutes

Cast: College kids from 1936 (26 dancers), Baton twirlers (5 girls), Children who play combs (6), Piano Player, Saxophonists (can be head baton twirler), Acrobat

A Fourth of July parade in Baird, Texas in the year 1936. A loving tribute to small town life, with majorettes, acrobats and a marching band of children playing combs. The choreography is based on social dancing of the period-- the Lindy Hop, the Big Apple. The high point of the ballet comes with the entire parade marching across the stage with American Flags flying and a float featuring a piano player with the head majorette sitting atop playing "The Eyes Of Texas Are Upon You" on the saxophone. The ballet is great fun and a real crowd pleaser. Its simple style and reliance on period social dances make it a wonderful piece for colleges and high schools.

Texas Fourth. Members of Agnes de Mille’s American Dance Heritage Theatre. Photo Credit: unknown