| 2012 SYLLABUS |
Syllabus Approved by IDTANA Southern Region
Judy McCafferty, ADCRG, Regional Director
Judy McCafferty, ADCRG, Regional Director
IDTANA Southern Region-Dancing Competition Rules
These rules were approved by the IDYANA Southern Region on Dec 3, 2008 and are effective January 1, 2009
These rules are required to be included in the syllabus for all feiseanna taking place in the IDTANA Southern
Region.
1) In the case of all solo and team competitions in all grades, the age of a competitor on January 1st of
the year in which the competition is held will determine the right of entry. For the purpose of this
rule a competitor whose birthday occurs on January 1st shall be deemed to be under the age attained
on that date.
2) Competitions are open to all but those holding a TMRF, TCRG, or ADCRG designation. All dancers
must be pupils of a person currently registered with An Coimisiun as a Dancing Teacher of any
category.
3) A competitor may be disqualified for any of the following reasons:
a) Conduct unbecoming a lady or gentleman
b) Failure to report on time to compete (Penalty: disqualification from said event)
c) Falsification of age or other important fact—i.e. teaching, award winning, competing under
another competitor’s name or number etc.
Penalty for a) or c): Competitor will be disqualified form the Feis at which the occurrence
happened and from all NAFC-registered Feiseanna for a period of one year beginning at the
date of the occurrence.
4) Competitions may be closed if there are no competitors at the assigned stage ready to compete when
the competition is scheduled or announced. This will not pertain to a situation where competitors are
involved in stage conflicts: in that case the competition(s) will remain open for a reasonable amount
of time to allow the dancer(s) in question to arrive at the stage and compete.
5) Solo competitors in Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Novice or Open (Prizewinner) competitions
a) Must compete in their own age group
b) Must be prepared to perform two steps in each event
c) Cannot change competition on the day of the Feis.
6) Steel taps or “bubble: heels on dancing shoes, display of awards, wearing of shorts or other
unconventional dress is prohibited. Dancers competing in First Feis (if offered), Beginners and
Advanced Beginner, a.k.a. Beginner I and II must wear a class costume or a skirt and blouse. All
other categories are excluded from this rule. Modest attire is encouraged when a competitor is not
dancing.
7) Competitor’s number must be worn and visible to adjudicators when performing in all competitions,
except in Championships. Use of clear reflective plastic number covers is discouraged.
8) Awards will be determined in proportion to the number of entries in each competition and to the
degree of proficiency shown.
9) Complaints must be in writing stating names and other factual information and signed by the
complainant. A ten-dollar fee (cash) must be enclosed and presented to the Feis Chairman within one
hour of the occurrence. The fee will be returned if the complaint is upheld.
10) The Feis Committee and any organization affiliated with same, will not be held responsible for
personal injury, property loss or damage. Destruction of Feis property or rental property will be
punishable by law.
11) The Feis reserves the right to reject any entry for cause, to cancel all or part of the Feis and to limit
competitor’s performing time. The decision of the Feis Committee is final in all matters connected
with the Feis.
12) Competitors must answer all questions on the entry form as required by the Feis Entry committee,
including teacher’s name, and enclose the entry fee when mailing. Failure to do so will result in a
rejected entry. Entries must be postmarked on or before the closing date or they will be subject to a
late fee as determined by the feis committee and published on the syllabus and/or entry form. There
will be no refund of entry fees for any reason.
13) Open Championships:
a) Entrants in any Open Championship event may not enter in any other regular grade solo
events, but may enter in Figure Dances and/or special competitions for which they are
eligible (tradition set, treble reel non-traditional set dance)
b) Entrants in Open Championships should specify on the entry form their choice of set dance
c) Open Championship competitions in the minimum required age groups must be offered
separately in the syllabus, yet the feis committee may combine an age group with the next
higher age group if there are fewer than 5 competitors entered in the lower age groups. A
feis committee is not permitted to combine dancers from one open championship age group
with any age groups which is more than one age groups higher than the age group in which
the dancers are entered
d) A dancer is required to perform a light shoe dance (reel or slip jig for ladies and reel only
for men) and a set dance. A Feis can also opt to require a third dance (choice of
jig/hornpipe)
e) Dancers must qualify for Open Championship via the method now in place for Preliminary
Championship i.e. two 1st place wins.
f) Dancers must compete in the Preliminary Championship competition in order to qualify for
Open Championship.
14) Girls and Boys competitions in Open Championship may be combined in the syllabus. If three or
more boys are entered in a specific age group in a combined Open Championship competition, the
boys and girls must be split into separate competitions. If separate Boys and Girls competitions in
Open Championships are offered in the syllabus, they may not be combined under any circumstance
on the day of the Feis.
15) Preliminary Championships:
a) Are open to those who at any NAFC recognized Feis:
1. Have placed 1st in both an Open (Prizewinner) light and heavy shoe competition and
2. Have never won 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Open Championship.
b) A dancer who wins two (2) first place preliminary championship awards in one calendar year
will move on to Open Championship the following year (as of Jan 1); if the second first-place win does
not occur in the same feis year as the first win, as soon as the second win is achieved, in any age
category, the dancer must move up to open championship level immediately. Only in the case of a
back to back Feiseanna (successive days) the first-place win in the first Feis will not change the
dancer’s status for the second Feis
c) A dancer in a preliminary championship is required to perform a light shoe dance (reel of slip
jig for ladies and reel only for men) and a hard shoe dance. A Feis can opt to offer either (a) a set
dance) or (b) a jig/hornpipe or (c) both a set dance and jig/hornpipe
d) Boys and Girls will be combined in preliminary championships –Please note the separation
policy involving five or more boys
e) Preliminary Championship competitions must be offered separately in the syllabus for the
minimum required age groups, yet the feis committee may combine an age group with the next higher
age groups if there are fewer than 5 competitors entered in the lower age group. A feis committee is
not permitted to combine dancers from one preliminary championship age group with any age group
which is more than one age group higher than the age group in which the dancers are entered.
16) Open Championships and Preliminary Championships require at least three adjudicators.
17) First place winners in the Open Championship category cannot return to a Preliminary or Open
(Prizewinner) competition. Placing in a Regional or National Oireachtas does not change the status of a
competitor. If after competing for two full feis years at the Open Championship level, a dancer has not
placed first, second or third, he/she may opt to return to Preliminary Championship status.
18) The status of the dancer does not change unless there are five or more dancers in a competition.
19) Grade Category Definitions:
Beginner: A beginner is a competitor who has not taken a full year of Irish Dance lessons, thereby
giving beginners a full year with such status. A Beginner must move into the Advanced Beginner
category for the next year.
Advanced Beginner: An Advanced Beginner who wins 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place will advance to the
Novice category in that particular dance.
Novice: A Novice dancer who wins a 1st place in a dance will advance to the Open (Prizewinner)
category in that particular dance.
Open (Prizewinner): A competitor who does not qualify as a Beginner, Advanced Beginner or
Novice.
Adult Beginner: An adult beginner is a competitor who never took Irish dancing lessons as a
juvenile and is over 18 years of age.
Other Adult Grades: will follow the descriptions provided above.
** Competitors have the option to remain in the same category for the remainder of the Feis
year (until the following January 1st)
** The syllabus must contain all grade categories
** Boys and Girls enter the appropriate age group in the appropriate grade for each dance;
after entries have been closed, in any competition where five or more boys are entered,
the feis committee will run a separate competition for these boys.
** A feis committee may only combine two consecutive calendar year age groups (within
that grade only) when fewer than five(5) competitors are entered in either age group, with
the exception of the oldest age group listed.
20) Musicians and adjudicators cannot be approached during a competition by anyone except the Feis
Committee. No one can approach them while a competitor is performing.
21) Musicians employed by the Feis Committee will be solely under the direction and management of
the Feis Committee on Feis day.
22) Teachers or team captains are responsible that their teams are complete and in positions when the
competition is announced. Competitors may compete in their own age group or in the next higher age
group, however a competitor may compete in only one age group.
23) In matters pertaining to adjudicators, the decision of the adjudicator is final.
24) Adjudicators are to monitor the quality of music at the stage(s) to which they are assigned.
25) First Feis (if offered), Beginner, Advanced Beginner and Adult dancers are required to dance at
traditional speeds only. Novice and Open (Prizewinner) dancers may choose between traditional and
Oireachtas speeds.
26) Any form of unauthorized photography which has the capability to capture a dancer’s image while in
motion, using electronic or manual means, i.e. mobile phone, standard camera, video camera, or
commercial film, with or without enhancement is expressively forbidden in competition.
27) No block, en Pointe toe walking movements, stationary or moving is allowed to be performed for
all ages up to and including the under 12 age group. However, after Sept 1st of each year an exception
is made for those dancers who are 11 dancing in the under 12 age group.
28) Make up is prohibited on a dancer in the first three grades (First Feis [if offered)], Beginner and
Advanced Beginner or their equivalent) up to and including the under 12 age group.
29) Any competitor found to be using artificial carriage aids and subsequently refuses to remove same,
will be subject to disqualification from that particular competition, medically prescribed aids (proof of
which may be required) will be exempt from this rule.
30) No substance that can become airborne should be used on any dance floor in an attempt to improve
traction.
Regional Director
Judy McCafferty
These rules were approved by the IDYANA Southern Region on Dec 3, 2008 and are effective January 1, 2009
These rules are required to be included in the syllabus for all feiseanna taking place in the IDTANA Southern
Region.
1) In the case of all solo and team competitions in all grades, the age of a competitor on January 1st of
the year in which the competition is held will determine the right of entry. For the purpose of this
rule a competitor whose birthday occurs on January 1st shall be deemed to be under the age attained
on that date.
2) Competitions are open to all but those holding a TMRF, TCRG, or ADCRG designation. All dancers
must be pupils of a person currently registered with An Coimisiun as a Dancing Teacher of any
category.
3) A competitor may be disqualified for any of the following reasons:
a) Conduct unbecoming a lady or gentleman
b) Failure to report on time to compete (Penalty: disqualification from said event)
c) Falsification of age or other important fact—i.e. teaching, award winning, competing under
another competitor’s name or number etc.
Penalty for a) or c): Competitor will be disqualified form the Feis at which the occurrence
happened and from all NAFC-registered Feiseanna for a period of one year beginning at the
date of the occurrence.
4) Competitions may be closed if there are no competitors at the assigned stage ready to compete when
the competition is scheduled or announced. This will not pertain to a situation where competitors are
involved in stage conflicts: in that case the competition(s) will remain open for a reasonable amount
of time to allow the dancer(s) in question to arrive at the stage and compete.
5) Solo competitors in Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Novice or Open (Prizewinner) competitions
a) Must compete in their own age group
b) Must be prepared to perform two steps in each event
c) Cannot change competition on the day of the Feis.
6) Steel taps or “bubble: heels on dancing shoes, display of awards, wearing of shorts or other
unconventional dress is prohibited. Dancers competing in First Feis (if offered), Beginners and
Advanced Beginner, a.k.a. Beginner I and II must wear a class costume or a skirt and blouse. All
other categories are excluded from this rule. Modest attire is encouraged when a competitor is not
dancing.
7) Competitor’s number must be worn and visible to adjudicators when performing in all competitions,
except in Championships. Use of clear reflective plastic number covers is discouraged.
8) Awards will be determined in proportion to the number of entries in each competition and to the
degree of proficiency shown.
9) Complaints must be in writing stating names and other factual information and signed by the
complainant. A ten-dollar fee (cash) must be enclosed and presented to the Feis Chairman within one
hour of the occurrence. The fee will be returned if the complaint is upheld.
10) The Feis Committee and any organization affiliated with same, will not be held responsible for
personal injury, property loss or damage. Destruction of Feis property or rental property will be
punishable by law.
11) The Feis reserves the right to reject any entry for cause, to cancel all or part of the Feis and to limit
competitor’s performing time. The decision of the Feis Committee is final in all matters connected
with the Feis.
12) Competitors must answer all questions on the entry form as required by the Feis Entry committee,
including teacher’s name, and enclose the entry fee when mailing. Failure to do so will result in a
rejected entry. Entries must be postmarked on or before the closing date or they will be subject to a
late fee as determined by the feis committee and published on the syllabus and/or entry form. There
will be no refund of entry fees for any reason.
13) Open Championships:
a) Entrants in any Open Championship event may not enter in any other regular grade solo
events, but may enter in Figure Dances and/or special competitions for which they are
eligible (tradition set, treble reel non-traditional set dance)
b) Entrants in Open Championships should specify on the entry form their choice of set dance
c) Open Championship competitions in the minimum required age groups must be offered
separately in the syllabus, yet the feis committee may combine an age group with the next
higher age group if there are fewer than 5 competitors entered in the lower age groups. A
feis committee is not permitted to combine dancers from one open championship age group
with any age groups which is more than one age groups higher than the age group in which
the dancers are entered
d) A dancer is required to perform a light shoe dance (reel or slip jig for ladies and reel only
for men) and a set dance. A Feis can also opt to require a third dance (choice of
jig/hornpipe)
e) Dancers must qualify for Open Championship via the method now in place for Preliminary
Championship i.e. two 1st place wins.
f) Dancers must compete in the Preliminary Championship competition in order to qualify for
Open Championship.
14) Girls and Boys competitions in Open Championship may be combined in the syllabus. If three or
more boys are entered in a specific age group in a combined Open Championship competition, the
boys and girls must be split into separate competitions. If separate Boys and Girls competitions in
Open Championships are offered in the syllabus, they may not be combined under any circumstance
on the day of the Feis.
15) Preliminary Championships:
a) Are open to those who at any NAFC recognized Feis:
1. Have placed 1st in both an Open (Prizewinner) light and heavy shoe competition and
2. Have never won 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Open Championship.
b) A dancer who wins two (2) first place preliminary championship awards in one calendar year
will move on to Open Championship the following year (as of Jan 1); if the second first-place win does
not occur in the same feis year as the first win, as soon as the second win is achieved, in any age
category, the dancer must move up to open championship level immediately. Only in the case of a
back to back Feiseanna (successive days) the first-place win in the first Feis will not change the
dancer’s status for the second Feis
c) A dancer in a preliminary championship is required to perform a light shoe dance (reel of slip
jig for ladies and reel only for men) and a hard shoe dance. A Feis can opt to offer either (a) a set
dance) or (b) a jig/hornpipe or (c) both a set dance and jig/hornpipe
d) Boys and Girls will be combined in preliminary championships –Please note the separation
policy involving five or more boys
e) Preliminary Championship competitions must be offered separately in the syllabus for the
minimum required age groups, yet the feis committee may combine an age group with the next higher
age groups if there are fewer than 5 competitors entered in the lower age group. A feis committee is
not permitted to combine dancers from one preliminary championship age group with any age group
which is more than one age group higher than the age group in which the dancers are entered.
16) Open Championships and Preliminary Championships require at least three adjudicators.
17) First place winners in the Open Championship category cannot return to a Preliminary or Open
(Prizewinner) competition. Placing in a Regional or National Oireachtas does not change the status of a
competitor. If after competing for two full feis years at the Open Championship level, a dancer has not
placed first, second or third, he/she may opt to return to Preliminary Championship status.
18) The status of the dancer does not change unless there are five or more dancers in a competition.
19) Grade Category Definitions:
Beginner: A beginner is a competitor who has not taken a full year of Irish Dance lessons, thereby
giving beginners a full year with such status. A Beginner must move into the Advanced Beginner
category for the next year.
Advanced Beginner: An Advanced Beginner who wins 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place will advance to the
Novice category in that particular dance.
Novice: A Novice dancer who wins a 1st place in a dance will advance to the Open (Prizewinner)
category in that particular dance.
Open (Prizewinner): A competitor who does not qualify as a Beginner, Advanced Beginner or
Novice.
Adult Beginner: An adult beginner is a competitor who never took Irish dancing lessons as a
juvenile and is over 18 years of age.
Other Adult Grades: will follow the descriptions provided above.
** Competitors have the option to remain in the same category for the remainder of the Feis
year (until the following January 1st)
** The syllabus must contain all grade categories
** Boys and Girls enter the appropriate age group in the appropriate grade for each dance;
after entries have been closed, in any competition where five or more boys are entered,
the feis committee will run a separate competition for these boys.
** A feis committee may only combine two consecutive calendar year age groups (within
that grade only) when fewer than five(5) competitors are entered in either age group, with
the exception of the oldest age group listed.
20) Musicians and adjudicators cannot be approached during a competition by anyone except the Feis
Committee. No one can approach them while a competitor is performing.
21) Musicians employed by the Feis Committee will be solely under the direction and management of
the Feis Committee on Feis day.
22) Teachers or team captains are responsible that their teams are complete and in positions when the
competition is announced. Competitors may compete in their own age group or in the next higher age
group, however a competitor may compete in only one age group.
23) In matters pertaining to adjudicators, the decision of the adjudicator is final.
24) Adjudicators are to monitor the quality of music at the stage(s) to which they are assigned.
25) First Feis (if offered), Beginner, Advanced Beginner and Adult dancers are required to dance at
traditional speeds only. Novice and Open (Prizewinner) dancers may choose between traditional and
Oireachtas speeds.
26) Any form of unauthorized photography which has the capability to capture a dancer’s image while in
motion, using electronic or manual means, i.e. mobile phone, standard camera, video camera, or
commercial film, with or without enhancement is expressively forbidden in competition.
27) No block, en Pointe toe walking movements, stationary or moving is allowed to be performed for
all ages up to and including the under 12 age group. However, after Sept 1st of each year an exception
is made for those dancers who are 11 dancing in the under 12 age group.
28) Make up is prohibited on a dancer in the first three grades (First Feis [if offered)], Beginner and
Advanced Beginner or their equivalent) up to and including the under 12 age group.
29) Any competitor found to be using artificial carriage aids and subsequently refuses to remove same,
will be subject to disqualification from that particular competition, medically prescribed aids (proof of
which may be required) will be exempt from this rule.
30) No substance that can become airborne should be used on any dance floor in an attempt to improve
traction.
Regional Director
Judy McCafferty
 |  |  |  |
NORTH AMERICAN FEIS COMMISSION October 2010
DANCING COMPETITION RULES
Adopted By The North American Feis Commission, 2010
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2011
1. In the case of all solo and team competitions in all grades, the age of a competitor on 1st January of the year in which the competition is held will determine the right of entry. For the purposes of this Rule a
competitor whose birthday occurs on 1st January shall be deemed to be under the age attained on that date.
2. Competitions are open to all but those holding a TMRF, TCRG, or ADCRG designation. All dancers must
be pupils of a person currently registered with An Coimisiun as a Dancing Teacher of any category.
3. A competitor may be disqualified for any of the following reasons:
a) Conduct unbecoming a lady or gentleman.
b) Failure to report on time to compete. (Penalty: disqualification from said event)
c) Falsification of age or other important facts – i.e., teaching, award winning, competing under another competitor’s name or number, etc.
Penalty for a) or c): Competitor will be disqualified from the Feis at which the occurrence happened and from all NAFC – registered Feiseanna for a period of one year beginning at the date of the
occurrence.
4. Competitions may be closed if there are no competitors at the assigned stage ready to compete when the
competition is scheduled or announced. May not pertain to a situation where competitors are involved in stage conflicts.
5. Solo competitors in First Feis (if offered), Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Novice or Open (Prizewinner) competitions:
a) Must compete in their own age group.
b) Must be prepared to perform two steps in each event.
c) Cannot change competition on the day of the Feis.
6. Steel taps or “bubble” heels on dancing shoes, display of awards, wearing of shorts or other unconventional dress is prohibited. Authentic Gaelic dress is desired. First Feis (if offered), Beginner and Advanced
Beginner, aka Beginner I and II, must wear a class costume, or a skirt and blouse. All other categories are
excluded from this rule. Modest attire is encouraged when a competitor is not dancing.
7. Competitor’s number must be worn and visible to adjudicators when performing in all competitions, use of reflective plastic number covers is discouraged.
8. Awards will be determined in proportion to the number of entries in each competition and to the degree of proficiency shown.
9. Complaints must be in writing stating names and other factual information and signed by the complainant. A ten-dollar fee must be enclosed and presented to the Feis Chairman within one hour of the
occurrence. The fee will be returned if the complaint is upheld.
10. The Feis Committee and any organization affiliated with same, will not be held responsible for personal
injury, property loss or damage. Destruction of Feis property or rental property will be punishable by law.
11. The Feis reserves the right to reject any entry for cause, to cancel all or part of the Feis and to limit
competitor’s performing time. The decision of the Feis Committee is final in all matters connected with the
Feis.
12. Competitors must answer all questions as required by the Feis Entry committee, including teacher’s name, and enclose the entry fee when mailing. Failure to do so will result in a rejected entry. Entries must be
postmarked on or before the closing date or they will be subject to a late fee of _____ (Determined by the Feis).
13. Entrants in any Championship event may not enter in any other (Grade) events, but may enter in Figure Dances. Entrants in Championships should specify, on the entry form, their choice of set dance. Entrants
cannot change competition or category on the day of the competition.
a) Dancers must qualify for open championship via the method now in place for preliminary championship, i.e. two 1st place wins.
b) Dancers must compete in the preliminary championship competition in order to qualify for open championship
c) The regional syllabus where the Feis is being held may have different qualifications for entry. 14. Combining male and female dancers in any age category is left to the discretion of each region of the
IDTANA.
15. Preliminary Championships are open to those who, at any NAFC recognized Feis:
a) Have won 1st place in both an open/prizewinner light and heavy shoe competition, and
b) Have never won 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Open Championship. A dancer who wins two first place awards will move on to Open Championship at the next Feis they enter, or as soon as the second win is achieved, in any
age category, in the following years. Only in the case of back-to-back
Feiseanna (successive days), in which case the first win in the first Feis will not change the
dancer’s status for the second Feis. A dancer is required to perform a light shoe dance (reel or slip jig for ladies and reel only for men), and a hard shoe dance. A Feis can opt to offer either a) a set dance or b) a
jig/hornpipe.
c) The regional syllabus where the Feis is being held may have different qualifications for entry. 16. Championships and Preliminary Championships require at least three adjudicators.
17. First place winners in the Open Championship category cannot return to a Preliminary or Open (Prizewinner) competition. Placing in a Regional or National Oireachtas does not change the status of a
competitor. A dancer who moves into open championship must stay a minimum of 2 years. If after 2 years they have not placed they are allowed to return to preliminary. An open championship dancer who places
is not allowed to return to preliminary until 2 years after their last placement. The regional syllabus where the
Feis is being held may have different qualifications for entry. 18. The status of the dancer does not change unless there are five or more dancers in a competition.
19. Each region may determine the system for moving dancers from one grade to another, as they see
appropriate for their region. The syllabus is to contain all grade categories. A Feis Committee may combine two consecutive age categories into the higher of the two categories within that grade when less than
five (5) competitors are entered.
20. Beginner Grade: A beginner is a competitor who has not yet taken a full year of Irish Dance lessons, thereby giving beginners a full year with such status. A Beginner must move into the Advanced Beginner
category the next year.
Advanced Beginner Grade: An advanced beginner who wins 1st, 2nd or 3rd place will advance to the
Novice category in that particular dance. Competition dances are reel, light jig, slip jig, traditional treble jig and traditional hornpipe, as a minimum requirement.
Novice Grade: A novice who wins a 1st place will advance to the Open (Prizewinner) category in that particular dance.
Open Grade (Prizewinner): A competitor who does not qualify as a beginner, advanced beginner or as a
novice.
Adult Beginner: An adult beginner is a competitor who never took Irish dancing lessons as a juvenile and is over 18 years of age.
21. Musicians and adjudicators cannot be approached during a competition by anyone except the Feis Committee. No one can approach them while a competitor is performing. 22. Musicians employed by the
Feis Committee will be solely under the direction and management of the Feis Committee on Feis day.
23. Teachers or team captains are responsible that their teams are complete and in position when the
competition is announced. Competitors may compete in the next higher age group; however, a competitor may compete in only one age group.
24. In matters pertaining to adjudication, the decision of the adjudicators is final.
25. Adjudicators are to monitor the quality of music at the stage(s) to which they are assigned.
26. First Feis (if offered), Beginner, Advanced Beginner and Adult dancers are required to dance at traditional speeds. Novice and Open/Prizewinner dancers may choose between traditional and Oireachtas speeds.
27. The length of 2 hand and 3 hand dances in competition are to be 48 bars of music plus an 8 bar introduction
28. In consideration of safety and in fairness to dancers performing at a Feis, photography of any kind which has the capability of capturing a dancer's image while in motion is strictly forbidden. A Feis may elect to
allow in motion photography for publicity purposes, but the pictures are considered the
sole property of the Feis and solely for Feis use only; these are not be used for personal gain through commercial use or sale, and under no circumstances can they be published on any website or other areas,
without the express written permission of the persons involved.
Additionally, a professional photographer may be formally contracted by a Feis to capture non-motion photographs, such as portrait photography, awards ceremonies, etc. and/or in motion photography provided
it is taken at a vendor station or suitable location: (a) away from the dancing stages and, (b) requested by a consenting parent, guardian, or dancer (over the age of 18).
29. No block, en Pointe, toe walking movements, stationary or moving is allowed to be performed for all ages up to and including the under 12 age group. However, after September 1 of each year an exception is
made
for those dancers who are 11 dancing in the under 12 age group.
30. Make up is prohibited on a dancer in the first three grades (First Feis (if offered), Beginner and Advance
Beginner or their equivalent) up to and including the under 12 age group.
31. Any competitor found to be using artificial carriage aids and subsequently refuses to remove same, will be
subject to disqualification from that particular competition. Medically prescribed aids (proof of which may be required) will be exempt from this rule.
32. Each Feis is required to list their adjudicators on their syllabus and/or website. If adjudicators are not listed
on the syllabus, they must be posted on the Feis website a minimum of three weeks prior to the Feis. One third of the adjudicators are to be from outside the region where the Feis is being held.
33. Competitors in girl’s competitions at the First Feis (if offered), Beginner and Advanced Beginner Grade
will wear only the competitor’s dancing School costume or a skirt and blouse.
34. No substance that can become airborne should be used on any dance floor in an attempt to improve
traction.
NAFC Championships 2011
The Gerry Campbell Perpetual Senior Belt
will be held at the Celtic Fling Feis in Harrisburg, PA on June 25. 2011
The Robert Gabor Perpetual Junior Trophy
will be held at the Montreal Feis in Quebec, Canada on May 21, 2011
The George Sweetnam Perpetual Minor Trophy
will be held at the Feis at the Falls in Niagara, NY on August 13, 2011
NAFC under 15 Music Scholarship Competition
at the Peach State Feis in Georgia on May 7, 2011
NAFC 15 & over Music Scholarship Competition
at the West Virginia Feis at Pittsburg on March 26-27, 2011
DANCING COMPETITION RULES
Adopted By The North American Feis Commission, 2010
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2011
1. In the case of all solo and team competitions in all grades, the age of a competitor on 1st January of the year in which the competition is held will determine the right of entry. For the purposes of this Rule a
competitor whose birthday occurs on 1st January shall be deemed to be under the age attained on that date.
2. Competitions are open to all but those holding a TMRF, TCRG, or ADCRG designation. All dancers must
be pupils of a person currently registered with An Coimisiun as a Dancing Teacher of any category.
3. A competitor may be disqualified for any of the following reasons:
a) Conduct unbecoming a lady or gentleman.
b) Failure to report on time to compete. (Penalty: disqualification from said event)
c) Falsification of age or other important facts – i.e., teaching, award winning, competing under another competitor’s name or number, etc.
Penalty for a) or c): Competitor will be disqualified from the Feis at which the occurrence happened and from all NAFC – registered Feiseanna for a period of one year beginning at the date of the
occurrence.
4. Competitions may be closed if there are no competitors at the assigned stage ready to compete when the
competition is scheduled or announced. May not pertain to a situation where competitors are involved in stage conflicts.
5. Solo competitors in First Feis (if offered), Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Novice or Open (Prizewinner) competitions:
a) Must compete in their own age group.
b) Must be prepared to perform two steps in each event.
c) Cannot change competition on the day of the Feis.
6. Steel taps or “bubble” heels on dancing shoes, display of awards, wearing of shorts or other unconventional dress is prohibited. Authentic Gaelic dress is desired. First Feis (if offered), Beginner and Advanced
Beginner, aka Beginner I and II, must wear a class costume, or a skirt and blouse. All other categories are
excluded from this rule. Modest attire is encouraged when a competitor is not dancing.
7. Competitor’s number must be worn and visible to adjudicators when performing in all competitions, use of reflective plastic number covers is discouraged.
8. Awards will be determined in proportion to the number of entries in each competition and to the degree of proficiency shown.
9. Complaints must be in writing stating names and other factual information and signed by the complainant. A ten-dollar fee must be enclosed and presented to the Feis Chairman within one hour of the
occurrence. The fee will be returned if the complaint is upheld.
10. The Feis Committee and any organization affiliated with same, will not be held responsible for personal
injury, property loss or damage. Destruction of Feis property or rental property will be punishable by law.
11. The Feis reserves the right to reject any entry for cause, to cancel all or part of the Feis and to limit
competitor’s performing time. The decision of the Feis Committee is final in all matters connected with the
Feis.
12. Competitors must answer all questions as required by the Feis Entry committee, including teacher’s name, and enclose the entry fee when mailing. Failure to do so will result in a rejected entry. Entries must be
postmarked on or before the closing date or they will be subject to a late fee of _____ (Determined by the Feis).
13. Entrants in any Championship event may not enter in any other (Grade) events, but may enter in Figure Dances. Entrants in Championships should specify, on the entry form, their choice of set dance. Entrants
cannot change competition or category on the day of the competition.
a) Dancers must qualify for open championship via the method now in place for preliminary championship, i.e. two 1st place wins.
b) Dancers must compete in the preliminary championship competition in order to qualify for open championship
c) The regional syllabus where the Feis is being held may have different qualifications for entry. 14. Combining male and female dancers in any age category is left to the discretion of each region of the
IDTANA.
15. Preliminary Championships are open to those who, at any NAFC recognized Feis:
a) Have won 1st place in both an open/prizewinner light and heavy shoe competition, and
b) Have never won 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Open Championship. A dancer who wins two first place awards will move on to Open Championship at the next Feis they enter, or as soon as the second win is achieved, in any
age category, in the following years. Only in the case of back-to-back
Feiseanna (successive days), in which case the first win in the first Feis will not change the
dancer’s status for the second Feis. A dancer is required to perform a light shoe dance (reel or slip jig for ladies and reel only for men), and a hard shoe dance. A Feis can opt to offer either a) a set dance or b) a
jig/hornpipe.
c) The regional syllabus where the Feis is being held may have different qualifications for entry. 16. Championships and Preliminary Championships require at least three adjudicators.
17. First place winners in the Open Championship category cannot return to a Preliminary or Open (Prizewinner) competition. Placing in a Regional or National Oireachtas does not change the status of a
competitor. A dancer who moves into open championship must stay a minimum of 2 years. If after 2 years they have not placed they are allowed to return to preliminary. An open championship dancer who places
is not allowed to return to preliminary until 2 years after their last placement. The regional syllabus where the
Feis is being held may have different qualifications for entry. 18. The status of the dancer does not change unless there are five or more dancers in a competition.
19. Each region may determine the system for moving dancers from one grade to another, as they see
appropriate for their region. The syllabus is to contain all grade categories. A Feis Committee may combine two consecutive age categories into the higher of the two categories within that grade when less than
five (5) competitors are entered.
20. Beginner Grade: A beginner is a competitor who has not yet taken a full year of Irish Dance lessons, thereby giving beginners a full year with such status. A Beginner must move into the Advanced Beginner
category the next year.
Advanced Beginner Grade: An advanced beginner who wins 1st, 2nd or 3rd place will advance to the
Novice category in that particular dance. Competition dances are reel, light jig, slip jig, traditional treble jig and traditional hornpipe, as a minimum requirement.
Novice Grade: A novice who wins a 1st place will advance to the Open (Prizewinner) category in that particular dance.
Open Grade (Prizewinner): A competitor who does not qualify as a beginner, advanced beginner or as a
novice.
Adult Beginner: An adult beginner is a competitor who never took Irish dancing lessons as a juvenile and is over 18 years of age.
21. Musicians and adjudicators cannot be approached during a competition by anyone except the Feis Committee. No one can approach them while a competitor is performing. 22. Musicians employed by the
Feis Committee will be solely under the direction and management of the Feis Committee on Feis day.
23. Teachers or team captains are responsible that their teams are complete and in position when the
competition is announced. Competitors may compete in the next higher age group; however, a competitor may compete in only one age group.
24. In matters pertaining to adjudication, the decision of the adjudicators is final.
25. Adjudicators are to monitor the quality of music at the stage(s) to which they are assigned.
26. First Feis (if offered), Beginner, Advanced Beginner and Adult dancers are required to dance at traditional speeds. Novice and Open/Prizewinner dancers may choose between traditional and Oireachtas speeds.
27. The length of 2 hand and 3 hand dances in competition are to be 48 bars of music plus an 8 bar introduction
28. In consideration of safety and in fairness to dancers performing at a Feis, photography of any kind which has the capability of capturing a dancer's image while in motion is strictly forbidden. A Feis may elect to
allow in motion photography for publicity purposes, but the pictures are considered the
sole property of the Feis and solely for Feis use only; these are not be used for personal gain through commercial use or sale, and under no circumstances can they be published on any website or other areas,
without the express written permission of the persons involved.
Additionally, a professional photographer may be formally contracted by a Feis to capture non-motion photographs, such as portrait photography, awards ceremonies, etc. and/or in motion photography provided
it is taken at a vendor station or suitable location: (a) away from the dancing stages and, (b) requested by a consenting parent, guardian, or dancer (over the age of 18).
29. No block, en Pointe, toe walking movements, stationary or moving is allowed to be performed for all ages up to and including the under 12 age group. However, after September 1 of each year an exception is
made
for those dancers who are 11 dancing in the under 12 age group.
30. Make up is prohibited on a dancer in the first three grades (First Feis (if offered), Beginner and Advance
Beginner or their equivalent) up to and including the under 12 age group.
31. Any competitor found to be using artificial carriage aids and subsequently refuses to remove same, will be
subject to disqualification from that particular competition. Medically prescribed aids (proof of which may be required) will be exempt from this rule.
32. Each Feis is required to list their adjudicators on their syllabus and/or website. If adjudicators are not listed
on the syllabus, they must be posted on the Feis website a minimum of three weeks prior to the Feis. One third of the adjudicators are to be from outside the region where the Feis is being held.
33. Competitors in girl’s competitions at the First Feis (if offered), Beginner and Advanced Beginner Grade
will wear only the competitor’s dancing School costume or a skirt and blouse.
34. No substance that can become airborne should be used on any dance floor in an attempt to improve
traction.
NAFC Championships 2011
The Gerry Campbell Perpetual Senior Belt
will be held at the Celtic Fling Feis in Harrisburg, PA on June 25. 2011
The Robert Gabor Perpetual Junior Trophy
will be held at the Montreal Feis in Quebec, Canada on May 21, 2011
The George Sweetnam Perpetual Minor Trophy
will be held at the Feis at the Falls in Niagara, NY on August 13, 2011
NAFC under 15 Music Scholarship Competition
at the Peach State Feis in Georgia on May 7, 2011
NAFC 15 & over Music Scholarship Competition
at the West Virginia Feis at Pittsburg on March 26-27, 2011