Difference between revisions of "Competitions"

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Competitions are an important part of the Irish Dancing Culture. Competitions are usually referred to as Feiseanna or abbreviated as Feis.

What is a Feis?

A Feis (pronounced "fesh") is an Irish step dancing competition. Feiseanna (plural, pronounced "fesh-an-uh") were traditionally cultural gatherings with events and competitions in music, dancing, singing and other aspects of Irish culture.

The history of Feiseanna traces back to ancient Gaelic culture, a festival of song, dance, music, storytelling, theatre, and athletics. In Scotland, the tradition evolved into Féisean, which continues to be a series of arts festivals that specialize in instructing new generations in Gaelic arts tradition. In Ireland, feiseanna became competitions where, beginning in the 18th century, dance masters would develop unique footwork and win the opportunity to teach. In 1929, the Irish Dancing Commission (An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha) was formed to establish rules for teaching, judging and competitions.

The Irish Dancing Commission (CLRG) continues to be the major organization for hosting feiseanna, but other organizations include An Comhdháil Na Múinteoirí Le Rincí Gaelacha (An Comhdháil), the World Irish Dance Association (WIDA), Rince Tuatha Nua (RTN), Cumann Rince Náisiúta (CRN), Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa (CRDM), Cumann Rince Gaelach (CRG), and the Festival Irish Dance Association (FDTA). The difference between CLRG and many other organizations is that CLRG does not host "open feiseanna," meaning that their dancers cannot compete in other organizations' feiseanna, and vice versa.

How does a Feis work?

In order to compete at the most basic level, a dancer must have a beginner step created by their dance teacher. These are often composed of "sevens," a sidestep, "one-two-threes," a back-and-forth rocking motion, and "over-two-threes," a jump and two downward steps.

Dances used in feiseanna include reel, slip jig, light jig, single/hop jig, heavy/treble jig, hornpipe, traditional set, contemporary set, and treble reel. A championship level dancer will have competed in nearly all of these dances, with the exception of slip jig, which for the most part is only performed by female dancers.

In all organizations, feiseanna will offer different levels of competition. Within levels, dancers are separated by age in as small of an increment as possible. However, the number and name of levels vary by organization, as do the ways in which dancers move up levels. Two examples are offered below.

1) In the Mid Atlantic Region of CLRG, six levels are offered: Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Novice, Prizewinner, Preliminary Champion and Open Champion. There are a few exceptions, such as First Feis (pre-beginner dancers ages 2-5) and Adult Champion (Preliminary/Open Champions over 18 who have not competed in 5 or more years). Beginner-Prizewinner are considered "grade levels," and a dancer could compete in one or more of these levels at a time based on their placements in certain dances. Generally, Beginner and Advanced Beginner dancers can move up by achieving a second or third place in a dance, while Novice and Prizewinner move up by achieving a first place. Winning all dances in Prizewinner moves a dancer to Preliminary Champion, and they can no longer compete in grades. A Preliminary Champion then moves to Open Championship by achieving either two or three overall first places, depending on region. A dancer cannot move up unless five dancers or more have competed.

2) In the An Comhdháil organization, five levels are offered: Bun Grads A-C, Pre-Open Championship, and Open Championship. Dancers can compete in one or more levels at a time in all levels. A dancer moves up each level by achieving a first place in each dance, and ten dancers or more must compete.

In solo competitions, each dance is judged and awarded separately. The dancers perform two or three at a time. Upon completion, they bow to the judge, return to the back of the stage, then wait for a bell, when they bow to the judge and musician and walk off stage. Judges identify dancers by the number pinned to their costume. Results are either announced or posted, and those placed receive awards. Many feiseanna, especially those taking place near major championships, also hold team competitions, including two and three-person dances, four or eight-person Ceilis (pronounced 'cay-lee') and figures. Special competitions are also almost always offered, including treble reels (a reel performed in heavy shoes), traditional sets for grades and/or championship dancers, art, and baking.

How is scoring done?

Early in the 20th century, the Irish Dancing Commission established a 100 mark system for judging competitors. The idea of point distribution in solo dancing was 25% for timing, 25% for the steps, 25% for execution and method, and 25% for deportment and style. However, judging is based on a personal scale, making it a challenge to award points by average. Irish points is a tabulation system used to convert each judge's "raw score" (/100) into a more organized set of scores.

In competition, "grades" (lower levels) are a single dance scored by a single judge, so the raw score is not converted into Irish points. Minor championship competitions (either two or three rounds) are scored by three judges, whose scores are all considered and converted into Irish points. A unanimous first place score overall would equal 300 Irish points, but a dancer with two first place scores would also likely win first place unless the third judge scored them very badly, therefore preventing a single bad score from dropping their placement. A unanimous first place score is also known as a "perfect score" even though it is extremely uncommon for a dancer to earn a perfect raw score of 100. Placements are based on overall score, which gives dancers a wide leeway to win overall without winning every round from every judge.

At a Regional Championship, five judges score each round, but each dancer's highest and lowest scores are dropped, meaning that a "perfect score" would still equal 300 points and the top dancer did not necessarily earn 500 points without dropped scores. Major championships (ie. All Ireland Championships, World Championships) may be scored by either five or seven judges per round, and each dancer's highest and lowest scores would be dropped.

Costumes and dress

At minimum, each dancer should wear either a plain shirt/blouse (often collared) and a pleated skirt or dress pants. However, most schools provide dancers with a school costume, which contains the school's colors, logo, and in certain organizations, initials or school name (identification is not allowed in some organizations). These can either be passed down or paid for by families.

When dancers reach the appropriate age or level for their organization, they may purchase solo costumes, which are dresses and vests adorned with crystals and embroidery. Some standards are still in effect, such as the prohibiting of low necklines, cut-outs, and short sleeves, but solo costumes have evolved heavily and rapidly over the years, and many dressmakers have businesses throughout the US, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and the UK that create custom costumes according to current trends. Custom costumes can be exorbitantly expensive, so many buy second-hand from websites or Facebook groups (see Dress Sale Websites).

Some organizations do not allow dancers under a certain age or level to wear solo costumes, wigs, and/or makeup. Organizations may also enforce regulations on solo costumes, such as prohibiting initials/names, symbols indicating achievements (ex. a globe or medal), or materials like feathers and tinsel.

Judges often comment that they are not nearly as concerned with flashy solo costumes as with the quality of dancing. A dancer should look neat and presentable, but wigs and dresses/waistcoats are not required to win. Common alternatives for championship dancers who wish to compete without a solo costume are school costumes or blackout attire (black dress/tights or black jacket/pants).

Important Feis Reminders!

Competing in a feis is a learning experience. For many dancers, it takes a few competition experiences before they feel comfortable. It is also important to realize that each judge has his/her own opinion.

The best way to score highly with all judges is to be in perfect time with the music, cross your feet and turn the toes out, show some energy while keeping correct posture. In addition, overall impression such as neatness, costume fit etc. play a small role. But, if you smile and appear to enjoy your dancing, then you are more likely to be perceived as a motivated dancer.

Finally -and most importantly- you should have fun! There is an air of excitement at a feis that is unlike any other performing experience.

You have worked hard to prepare, and this is a great chance to share your skills and talents with other members of the Irish dance community. A Feis is a unique opportunity to celebrate the music and dance of Ireland. It is fun to dance Irish!

See also

Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne