By Judy Bishop Garvin, ‘63
Remember the Coeds? Cu-tees? Dancing Dolls? Sparkles? Three D’s? Garrens Comedy Troupe? Stretch Armstrong? Over the years dozens of such student-created performing groups have entertained at BYU and beyond. We were the MeloD’s—a trio from Delta, Utah—and from 1958 to 1963 we majored in performing and minored in academics. But oh, what an education it was. In 1958, on their second tour ever, Mary Bee’s* Folk Dancers took us with them to Tremonton, Utah; Idaho; and the reservations of Montana. In 1961 we headed to southern California with Janie* and the Star Dust Revue. In 1962 we toured the Northwest (it was the Seattle World’s Fair), and this time I got to dance as well. It was an open time, when many of the performing groups were new and auditions not so stringent. We met every Wednesday night at the Women’s Gym to folk dance; afternoons we practiced trio at “Little Carnegie” (when we could find an empty 8 x 10 room). We sang for church banquets, high school programs, BYU assemblies, the Cougar Days carnival, and Fieldhouse Frolics. And somehow we also went to class and graduated.
Whether you were a performer, a groupie, or just a casual observer, please share your stories about student-created performing groups. Send your tales to First Person, BYU Magazine, 209 UPB, Provo, UT 84602 (e-mail: firstperson@ byu.edu; fax: 801-378-5669).
Judy B. Garvin, Senior Editor, BYU Publications and Graphics
* Mary Bee Jensen, ’63, and Janie Thompson, ’43. But back then these legends needed no last names.
Coming for spring: University devotionals, firesides, and forums often play important roles in the lives of students, spiritually renewing them and helping them make important decisions. Please share your stories of devotionals that made a difference.