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Competition
Feis FAQ
What do those letters mean after the teachers' and adjudicators' names?
T.C.R.G.: Teasgicoir Coimisuin Le Rinci Gaelacha — Translation is Gaelic Commission Dancing Teacher, which designates the teacher as certified by the Irish Dance Commission in Dublin. Only certified teachers may enter their students in registered feisanna.
A.D.C.R.G.: Ard Diploma Coimisuin Le Rinci Gaelacha — translation is Highest Diploma in Gaelic Dancing, which designates a certified teacher who has attained adjudication qualification from the Irish Dance Commission.
Why can’t I use my video camera at a feis?
Videotaping of dancing competitions is strictly forbidden by the Irish Dance Commission. You are permitted to videotape the awards presentations and you are permitted to use a still camera. Various reasons for this ruling include choreography copyright, right to privacy of competitors, and other reasons. Imagine all of the parents crowding the stage and/or judge to try and tape their kid — can you imagine the shoving involved to get the best view, only to not get your kid on tape? It’s best to leave the video cameras at home.
What if we want to transfer our child from one school to another? What about if we move out-of-town?
Normally there is a delay of around 6 months before they can compete in another feisanna. In addition the new school may have other requirements that the student fulfill before being allowed to compete.
It is best if you discuss with your present teacher your concerns and reasons for wanting to leave. You must also discuss with the new teacher the possibility of entering their class. If you are in a region with multiple teachers, some of them do not like taking students that were just recently at another local school.
If a family move is the reason for the transfer from one school to the next, and if you are moving out of the local area, there probably won’t be a waiting period imposed. The prospective school can give you more information.
How is scoring done?
Early in the 20th century, An Coimisiún (CLRG) established a 100 mark system for judging competitors. The distribution of points in solo dancing is 25% for timing, 25% for the steps, 25% for execution and method, and 25% for deportment and style. In figure dancing, the distribution is 30 points for timing, 30 for figures, and 40 for general effect.
In beginner through open (also called prizewinner) competitions, there is one judge. In preliminary championship and (open) championship level, there are most often 3 judges. Competitors dance two or three at a time except in set dances and they perform two or three "steps." The judging is instantaneous. Usual scores are in the 60’s to 90's.
All adjudicators pass the same examinations however their tastes may vary widely as to style. The best way to score highly with all judges is to be in perfect time, cross your feet and turn the toes out, show some energy while keeping correct posture. The level of the material is performed is important too. In addition, overall impression such as neatness, costume fit etc. play a small role. However, dancers must learn to smile! I can’t remember how many times adjudicators comment that some dancers look like they are in a death march when they dance. If you smile, and appear to enjoy your dancing, then you are more likely to be perceived as an accomplished dancer.
For more information on championship scoring, please visit Understanding CLRG Championship Scoring.
My teacher isn’t registered. How come I can’t compete in a feis?
If your teacher has not taken the T.C.R.G. test given periodically in each region in North America, you will most likely be turned away from an NAFC-sanctioned, registered feis.
(However, with the advent of CRN in America, their open platform policy allows for dancers of non-certified teachers to compete.)
It is important to remember that there is a world-wide governing institution that helps to promote and preserve the cultural expression of Irish Step Dancing. The T.C.R.G. test is a means to determine a persons ability in both execution of Irish Step Dance and their knowledge of the intricacies of and limitations imposed upon Irish Step Dance.
Just because your teacher is not registered and doesn’t have the T.C.R.G. certification does not mean that they do not know the proper things about Irish dancing. On the other hand, just because a teacher is registered, doesn’t mean they can teach well. However, certification does guarantee a certain level of knowledge that is vitally necessary for effectively teaching the traditions of Irish Dancing.
Look at another situation were certification is important. Say your car breaks down. You know that the next door neighbor like to tinker with cars and has revived other people’s cars in the past. However, your neighbor isn’t a certified auto mechanic. A car shop down the street has certified auto mechanics. Just because your neighbor isn’t certified, doesn’t mean he can’t fix the car. On the other hand, just because the car shop has certified mechanics, doesn’t mean they can fix your car in a quick fashion.
However, if you didn’t know either of these people, your neighbor or the car shop mechanic, you would either have to make a blind decision, or you would have to trust that the certification imbues some degree of competency upon the mechanic.
Mechanics may not be the best example, but a similar example can be created for any number of professional jobs: doctors, music therapists, teachers, etc. The reason for certification is so that you know that this person at least has enough knowledge to pass the certification test.