Jack Murtha
Jack Murtha, a caller in his own right, worked closely with Bob Ruff to teach square dance to schoolchildren. This portrait of him was painted by Gene Anthony, who also portrayed the members of the American Square Dance Society Square Dance Hall of Fame.
An interview conducted with Murtha by Bob Brundage is on the website of the Square Dance Federation of New England. The site includes both an audio file and a transcription. The Additional Files provides the text of the 2001 Milestone Award given Murtha by CALLERLAB.
Murtha's papers are held at the University of Denver, which provides this biography:
"Jack Murtha was involved in square dancing beginning in college. Jack served as the original Director of Woodleaf Outdoor School and developed a square dance teaching program for elementary schools. Jack developed the Diamond System, a series of records and written instructions, which made it possible for other callers and dancers to enjoy the hobby. This system is still in use in many places around the world today. For over ten years, Jack and Thelma, his wife, flew to China to teach the Chinese dance leaders to dance, teach, and call American square dances. The Murthas played a major role in bringing a group of Chinese dance leaders to America where they attended the Callerlab Convention in Los Angeles. Jack attended Callerlab Conventions and over the years he served on a number of important committees and was chairman of several. He received the Chairman's Recognition Award for his dedicated service to the organization and to square dancing. For many years Jack maintained an archives of square dancing, recording the backgrounds and experiences of many of the activities' leaders. Jack passed away in July 1999 and was posthumously awarded Callerlab's highest honor, the Milestone Award, in 2001."
Vic and Debbie Ceder include additional biographical information and a discography on their website: "Having received a Doctorate that led to a career in recreation, Jack Murtha was involved in square dancing since college almost half a century. He introduced the activity to many thousands of men and women, boys and girls in the northern part of California. The original Director of Woodleaf Outdoor School, Jack was deeply involved in the education of children and developed a Square Dance Teaching Program for elementary schools. In an attempt to reach out to even more people, Jack developed the Diamond System..."
Subjects: Person
Tags: children, education, Jack Murtha
Item Relations
| This Item | is related to | Item: Fundamentals of Square Dancing |
Additional Files
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An interview conducted with Murtha by Bob Brundage is on the website of the Square Dance Federation of New England. The site includes both an audio file and a transcription. The Additional Files provides the text of the 2001 Milestone Award given Murtha by CALLERLAB.
Murtha's papers are held at the University of Denver, which provides this biography:
"Jack Murtha was involved in square dancing beginning in college. Jack served as the original Director of Woodleaf Outdoor School and developed a square dance teaching program for elementary schools. Jack developed the Diamond System, a series of records and written instructions, which made it possible for other callers and dancers to enjoy the hobby. This system is still in use in many places around the world today. For over ten years, Jack and Thelma, his wife, flew to China to teach the Chinese dance leaders to dance, teach, and call American square dances. The Murthas played a major role in bringing a group of Chinese dance leaders to America where they attended the Callerlab Convention in Los Angeles. Jack attended Callerlab Conventions and over the years he served on a number of important committees and was chairman of several. He received the Chairman's Recognition Award for his dedicated service to the organization and to square dancing. For many years Jack maintained an archives of square dancing, recording the backgrounds and experiences of many of the activities' leaders. Jack passed away in July 1999 and was posthumously awarded Callerlab's highest honor, the Milestone Award, in 2001."
Vic and Debbie Ceder include additional biographical information and a discography on their website: "Having received a Doctorate that led to a career in recreation, Jack Murtha was involved in square dancing since college almost half a century. He introduced the activity to many thousands of men and women, boys and girls in the northern part of California. The original Director of Woodleaf Outdoor School, Jack was deeply involved in the education of children and developed a Square Dance Teaching Program for elementary schools. In an attempt to reach out to even more people, Jack developed the Diamond System..."