Sep16 Version of the 2010 ECRO Syllabus

The updated syllabus includes the following changes:

- The Aug27 version had all of these points mentioned on this page but they did not appear in the actual pages of the syllabus. This update takes care of that – hopefully.
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- Update of year to header and various spots throughout the body and notation of the date of amendment
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- Addition of speeds for traditional set dances as taken from the 2010 All Ireland syllabus
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- Addition of Ladies U19 solo category to comply with Worlds 2011
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- Men 18-20 was re-instated as a double age group (previous information mid-year suggested it was also going to be split)
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- Addition to Rule 5 relating to World Qualification (dancers may only compete at Worlds for the teacher they qualified for) and amending qualifying rules since 18-20 is now two different age groups for Ladies
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- Amendment to Rule 6 to remove recalling at Nationals as a way to qualify for the following year
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- Addition to Rule 7 relating to Teams (teachers may request speeds at the time of check-in)
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- Spacing corrected for sections 8 and 9
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- Rule 9 (ceili events) was cross-referenced with the AI/W syllabus for accuracy; no changes were needed
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- Rule 10 (choreography) the number of permitted words in a story was increased from 150 to 200 to align with AI/W
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- Rule 12 (adult ceili) was updated with the year when entrants may not have competed solo dancing since
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- “IF A DANCER” was tidied up considerably to align with the AI/W syllabus (falls/recovers – overall result will not be affected; falls/doesn’t recover – bell will be rung and dancer(s) may be given the chance to dance again within a reasonable time frame; fails to complete a round – dancer shall receive a score of 50 from each judge; does not complete one or both of the first two rounds – cannot recall; loses heel piece/toe piece/entire shoe – dancer is to pick up item if safe to do so then walk to the back of the stage – dancer will not be penalised for the mishap; loses wig/shawl/crown etc. – dancer is to continue unless the judges feel there is a safety hazard in which case the bell will be rung
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- Rule 20 (i) became Rule 21 (regarding re-dances)
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- Rule 21 (toewalks) was therefore re-numbered as Rule 22
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- The cover page has been omitted; dates and location have been added to the headers on each page and will also appear on the blog, the website and on the official (Excel) entry form
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- Entry deadlines, fees, assessment information and information about advertisements shall appear on the official (Excel) entry form
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- Please note that in addition to the Family Admission Fee introduced in 2009, we will be collecting accommodation information to ensure all schools are supporting our event. We have high lodging and catering quotas which can only be met with the support of all schools. Failing to meet our quotas will result in higher assessment fees for teachers and added participation fees for the families next year. Obviously, local schools are not expected to stay in hotels but they are encouraged to try to help out a little bit extra to show their support too.
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- Also new for 2010 is a Mini-Feis treble reel competition and there will be treble reel competitions for Solo Championship dancers too. The solo treble reel competitions will occur on the same day as their solos so they don’t have to get dressed on two different days. Boys and girls will be combined. Age groups will be determined for all traditional set dance and treble reel competitions once the entries are submitted. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE!

SOLO COMPETITIONS:

1. Dancers must be present in the Competition hall no less than 30 minutes prior to their scheduled event. All dancers must be in the location provided and ready to dance at least 30 minutes prior to their event. No dancer may check in once the competition has started. Competitors must dance in the assigned rotation as drawn at the beginning of the event. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. All dancers must perform the dances specified in the official Oireachtas syllabus. Dancers will perform TJ/HP three (3) at a time up to & including Under 14 and two (2) at a time for older age categories. All light rounds will be danced in twos.

2. SOLO MUSIC: All dancers must commence after the introduction of the music has been played once. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from that particular round. The onus of ensuring proper music and speed is on the dancer. Reel (113) and treble jig (73) rounds will be 48 bars. Slip jig (113) and hornpipe (113) rounds will be 40 bars. Set dances must be from the official set dance list and tempos must be within official guidelines. The seven acceptable Traditional Sets include: St. Patrick’s Day, The Blackbird, Garden of Daisies, Three Sea Captains, Job of Journeywork, King of the Fairies and Jockey to the Fair.

3. RECALLS: All dancers will perform the first two dances specified in the competition requirements. Fifty percent (50%) of each Boys/Girls age group with eleven (11) or more competitors who actually dance, (not the number entered) will be recalled to perform their set dance. For groups with ten (10) or fewer dancers participating, all will return to perform their set dance.

4. PLACING: Thirty-three percent (33%) of the competitors who actually dance in each competition will be placed, meaning they will receive a trophy; the remaining dancers will receive a recall achievement medal.

5. WORLD QUALIFICATION: Qualifications for World Championships 2011 are per An Coimisiun rules: five (5) qualifiers for the first twenty (20) or part thereof in any solo event and one (1) qualifier for each subsequent ten (10) dancers or part thereof. Dancers in the 18-20 Men and both Men and Ladies 20+ categories will qualify seven (7) for the first twenty (20) or part thereof and one (1) for each additional five (5) dancers or part thereof. Current World medal holders automatically qualify provided they “participate in their Oireachtas”. As such they will be “skipped over” when calculating qualifying spots. Dancers who qualified at the North Americans DO NOT get “skipped over” when calculating qualifying spots for Worlds. Dancers may only compete at Worlds for the same teacher as at the Oireachtas (i.e. with whom they qualified).

6. NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFICATION: Per I.D.T.A.N.A. rules, ten (10) dancers plus twenty-five (25) per cent of the number of competitors who dance will qualify for Nationals 2011 “subject to being recalled at their regional Oireachtas”. Dancers competing in Open Championships also qualify. Dancers who qualified for the 2010 NAIDC but could not compete due to judging conflicts are qualified for 2011. Dancers in Under 8 and in Under 9 may be entered into the 2011 NAIDC at their teacher’s discretion.

TEAM COMPETITIONS:

7. TEAM ENTRIES: Dancers may compete in their own and/or the next higher age group but may not compete in more than one team in the same age category. All teams must have at least 50% from the proper age group. 50% may be from a lower age group, but only 25% may be repeats from a team in the lower age group. Dancers may repeat only once in a four-hand and once in an eight-hand. Written permission for exceptions to any of these rules must accompany the entry. Teams performing with alternate dancers to their official entry must check-in with a letter stating so, presented by the teacher or team captain. Teachers may request speeds with entries.

8. FOUR HAND COMPETITIONS: Four hand selections may be either the Four-Hand Reel or Humours of Bandon as detailed in Ar Rinci Foirne. Choice of dance and figure must be specified on the entry form. Four hand tops will be positioned on the adjudicator's left and must perform the following:
A-Lead B-Body C-Figure of choice (Tops only) D-Body (HOB only)

9. CEILI EVENTS: All Ceili dances must be danced in accordance with Ar Rinci Foirne. For the purpose of the Oireachtas, Lannigan’s Ball and Gates of Derry will be regarded as eight hand dances. For Gates of Derry, teams may line up horizontally or vertically. In Eight hand Ceilis, tops will be positioned with their backs to the adjudicators and must perform the following:
A-Lead B-Body C-Figure of choice (Tops only)

Some exceptions as taken from the World Syllabus:

1 Sweets of May – from the beginning up to and including the end of the 3rd figure.
2 Three Tunes –either up to and including the 1st Roly Poly, OR from Hook and Chain until the end.
3 Gates of Derry – from the beginning up to and including the swing around of the 1st repeat.
4 Lannigans Ball – the entire dance.

10. FIGURE CHOREOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS: Teams may consist of a minimum of eight (8) to a maximum of sixteen (16) dancers and must portray an Irish Theme. Only basic movements may be used. No solo steps will be permitted. Teams are restricted to 4 minutes. Narratives are to be submitted (to a maximum of 200 words) at check in for the competition and supplied to the adjudicators prior to the competition by the Oireachtas Committee. Music changes must be at least 16 bars. Each team member must be on stage and dance from commencement to finish. Short pauses are permitted, but limited to 4 bars. Dances must be in 2/4, 4/4, 6/8 time or a combinations of those times, but any change of music must last for at least 16 bars.

11. DANCE DRAMA: Teams may consist of eight (8) to twenty (20) dancers and must portray an Irish Theme. No spoken words or songs will be permitted. Time limit; fifteen (15) minutes including set up, dance and take down. There is a six (6) minute maximum to the performance. All props must be removed from the performance area and are the sole responsibility of the team. Music must be of Irish or related ethnic origin only.

12. ADULT CEILI: Team requirements are the same as the 8 & 4 Hand requirements noted in rules 8 and 9. Adult Ceili is confined to dancers 18 years of age and older, who have not competed in solo or Ceili, except as an adult, since November 2005. This is a NON-QUALIFYING event and entries must be received as a team from a registered I.D.T.A.C. - Eastern Region dancing school.

13. WORLD QUALIFICATION: All 8-Hands that compete are eligible to enter the 2011 Worlds in the closest appropriate age group. The dancers need not be the same at both events. Teams do not need to place in order to enter Worlds. Figure and Drama teams do not need to participate at Regionals in order to compete at Worlds.

GENERAL:

14. AWARDS: All dancers who perform their set dance will receive an award. 50% of the teams will receive awards. All dancers must be in full solo or team costume, including traditional footwear for presentation of awards. No dancer will be presented an award if they are not in costume. A list of teams who will appear in the results will be posted in advance of the ceremony.
13. TIMETABLE/SCHEDULE: The I.D.T.A.C. reserves the right to limit, cancel, postpone, combine or reschedule any event.
14. VIDEO/PHOTOGRAPHY/DIGITAL CAMERAS: No one is permitted to video record or photograph a competition while any dancer is dancing. There is to be no photography in the competition room while dancers are performing.
15. ADJUDICATORS: All decisions made in accordance with Oireachtas events and the I.D.T.A.C. rulings are final. The adjudicators cannot be approached by anyone other than the Oireachtas Committee when a competition is in progress.
16. APPEALS: Legitimate complaints must be submitted in writing, within one hour of the incident, signed by the complainant and accompanied by a $25.00 fee. The fee will be returned if the complaint is upheld.
17. LIABILITY: The I.D.T.A.C., I.D.T.A.N.A., An Coimisiun, T.C.R.G.s/A.D.C.R.G.s and the Oireachtas Venue and supportive staff will not be held responsible for any personal injury, loss or damage to property.
18. MISCHIEF: Anyone caught damaging hotel property or causing mischief will be removed from the premises and barred from all remaining events. Dancers involved will be disqualified from all events and they, along with their parents will be responsible for all damages incurred. Parents are responsible for the whereabouts of their children at all times.
19. PERFORMANCE HALL: Attendees are requested to remain seated at all times when a competition is in progress. Give each dancer the courtesy of a quiet hall and keep noise levels to a minimum. All aisles must be clear in accordance with fire regulations. Entrances to the performance hall will be strictly monitored throughout the weekend. There shall be NO FOOD in the ballrooms.
20. MISHAP: The following are the policies of this Oireachtas Committee for potential mishap.
In the event of a serious mishap as decided by the Adjudicators, a bell will be rung and the dancer(s) will be allowed to dance again.

IF A DANCER:

a) Falls and recovers, their overall result will not be affected.
b) Falls and does not recover, a bell will be rung and the dancer(s) may be given the opportunity to re-dance within a reasonable time frame.
c) Fails to complete a round, they shall receive a score of 50 from each adjudicator. If that happens for the first and/or second round, they will be ineligible to recall.
d) Loses a heel or toe piece or entire shoe, the dancer is to pick up the item if safe to do so then walk to the back of the stage to allow the other dancer(s) to finish. Dancer will not be penalized and will be permitted to dance again after said dancer changes shoes.
e) Has an open lace during a dance, a bell will be rung at judges’ discretion and the dancers will be permitted to dance again.
f) Loses other supportive costume attire, dancers will continue dancing at the discretion of the adjudicators.

21. RE-DANCES: For the purpose of re-dances, if the dancers are stopped in the last 16 bars of their dance, they shall return to dance the last 16 bars. Otherwise they will perform the entire round again.
22. TOEWALKS: Dancers up to and including U11 are prohibited from performing any movements en pointe (stationary or moving), locally referred to as “Toe walks” and “Toe stands”.

ENTRIES:

1. Entries will be accepted only from teachers who are registered and in good standing with the I.D.T.A.C. - Eastern Region, I.D.T.A.N.A. and An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha. Competitors must reside in Ontario, Quebec or the Maritime Region of Canada.
2. All dancers must compete in their own age group for solo events. No dancer may be entered twice in the same competition. See rule #7 Team Entries for age qualifications in team events. All ages are calculated as of January 1st, 2010.

ECRO 2010 Hotel Update

Thank you to everyone for supporting our host hotel.

The Westin is sold out. We have negotiated rooms at the nearby Novotel for the same rate as the Westin ($139 plus taxes and destination fee etc.). There is a four guest maximum per room. There is a charge of $25 for additional bedding. Cots are not guaranteed. There is a deposit required at booking equal to one night's accommodation and this is non-refundable. A credit card will be required to secure the room.

Another hotel has recently contacted some of the ECR teachers to offer bookings, but their rate is higher.

Rooms at the preferred rate will be available until October 20, 2010 or until they sell out - whichever occurs first.

Please use this link to secure rooms at the Novotel.
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=2692139

Telephone enquiries can be made through 1-866-677-3033. We are registered as: 2010 Irish Dance Teacher's Association of Canada Oireachtas

For the first time, teachers will be required to list accommodation information for all families on the official Oireachtas entry form.