School dances such as Student Activity Center (SAC) dances, Holiday Ball, and 3/4 are a highlight of social life at Choate, providing a much-needed opportunity for tired students to release stress and get down on the dance floor. What makes a dance fun and fills it with energy, however, is the right song. The right song can prompt those who don’t consider themselves dancers to move and groove on the dance floor.
Ximena Castillo-Núñez ’24 said, “I love it when they play real music. I also love when they play ABBA.” ABBA is also a favorite of Nao Murata ’25’s, who added with no hesitation, “‘Dancing Queen’ is my favorite.”
School dance enthusiast Cassatt Boatwright ’24 noticed a pattern in the music played at school dances: “Something that I heard from my brother [Wesley Boatwright ’22], and I completely agree with, is that the school song that is always played at SAC dances is ‘Mr. Brightside.’ It always comes up toward the end, and people go crazy on it,” she said.
Students had a range of recommendations for dance moves that pair best with these songs and the environment of these dances.
Boatwright believes that dances are basically mosh pits and don’t lend themselves to much movement, so she opts for a classic up-and-down jump. Castillo-Núñez is of the opposite mindset, preferring more complex dance steps like disco moves.
Christopher Joseph ’25 finds that TikTok dances are the perfect way to soak in the limelight if a casual dance circle onlooker is thrown into the middle of cheering partiers. “People get hyped about those,” he said.
Fashion is also popular when preparing for dances. Students pick their attire carefully to allow comfortable execution of their dance moves on the floor.
Veteran school dancers agreed that wearing clothes they wouldn’t mind dirtying is crucial because becoming drenched in sweat is inevitable. Athletic gear that minimizes sweat and overheating is a popular choice for informal SAC dances.
Joseph said, “When we had the Mardi Gras [SAC] dance, I wore something colorful but something I was still okay with getting sweaty.”
School dances have the potential to be exciting and memorable, provided one knows how to enjoy them. With the 3/4 ball for underformers coming up on May 6, many students hope to discover their inner dancers by finding the right song, the right moves, and the right fit.
