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There is a musical theme running throughout this new issue of Dancing Times, from the letter we publish by Peter Brown on page 11 concerning new music for the dance syllabus to Stephanie Jordan’s appreciation of the Mark Morris Dance Group on page 14, and Natalie Wheen’s very personal opinion on the standards of orchestral conducting for dance on page 37. They are a reminder, if ever it were needed, of how important a role music plays in the artform we love. Also this month, we take a look at choreography and choreographers, from Mark Morris again to Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s exploration of the tango in his new show at Sadler’s Wells, to some talented emerging young choreographers who talk to Paul Arrowsmith about their experiences on page 20. In addition, David Jays finds out what it is like to be a judge at a dance competition on page 17, and in Dance Scene we review some of the early highlights of the autumn dance season, including The Royal Ballet’s new production of Don Quixote, Dance Umbrella 2013, and the exciting staging of Dracula by Mark Bruce Company at Wilton’s Music Hall.