Texas State German Contests
Including State, Houstonfest, Sprachfest, Winterfest
2006-2007
Folk Dance Rules and Criteria for Judging
(Underlining denotes changes or additions to previous rules)
****There will be no required dance.****
The group must have the following items:
a. list of dancers names(3 copies)
b. documentation of the dances (3 copies)
c. a c.d player or tape player, extension cord, own music for dances.
A school may enter only one dance group. There will be a minimum number of 6 people and no maximum number. There can be as few as 4 dancers on the stage performing, and there can be 16 or more depending on safety considerations. The idea is to have a large dance group to be having fun and to be able to go out and perform in the community to get your German program some attention. It is also good to have a larger group so that many people can know the dances, and you will have larger numbers for substitution in case of illness or other conflicts.
Judges Qualifications: No judge shall be anyone who has taught any German folk dances at a high school that is participating in the Texas Sate German Contests(Houstonfest, Sprachfest, Winterfest and State) folk dance contest.
Time Requirement: 10- 15 minutes maximum, which includes an entrance and exit dance and transitions.
There will be a 10 point penalty for going over the 15 minute time limit. There will be a 30 second grace period.
Judging Points: based on 150 maximum points possible doing 5 dances which are all on level 3.
a. Precision: 20 points
b. Coherence: 20 points
c. Presence and Poise: 10 points
d. Costume: 15 points
e. Authenticity: 10 points
f. Level of Dance: 5-15 points assessed per dance
Levels of Dance
a. Level 1: These are simple dances with uncomplicated patterns and simple steps such as
walking or march. An example would be Hirtenmadl.
b. Level 2: These are dances with more complicated patterns and steps such as the mazurka and the pivot. An example would be Die Alte Tirolienne
c. Level 3: These are dances which incorporate complex patterns and steps such as plattlers, schottisches, and lifts. An example would be Kreuz König, or Boarischer.
Explanation of Categories:
a. Precision (20 points possible): Are the dancers on beat? Are they doing the correct steps to the correct music? Are the figures clean? Are the dancers doing what the notes say that they are supposed to be doing? Is everyone in the correct position? Are steps executed correctly within the dance?
b. Coherence (20 points possible): Is the group dancing as a whole? Do the patterns flow well with the whole group?
c. Presence and Poise (10 points possible): Is the group performing as if they know the dances? Do they maintain order when the dance is over? Do they perform the dances with verve? Are they enjoying what they are doing? Do they acknowledge that they are part of a group rather than an individual performer?
d. Costume (15 possible points): Are the costumes authentic? Do the costumes blend well together? Do the costumes add to the performance? Is there attention to extra detail such as hats, scarves, ties, headbands, jewelry, socks and shoes? For example, the boys shoes should be something other than tennis shoes, and all matching.
e. Authenticity (10 possible points): Is the dance truly a German folk dance? If any variations have been made, do the variations retain the spirit of the genre of the dance, the region the dance comes from, and the steps associated with German Volkstanz? For example, a dance could come from a regional show that a teacher has seen or recorded from a trip to the region. It is acknowledged that some folk dance groups performing for tourists have made some variations on the traditional steps and music.
Folk Dance Levels of Difficulty
Level I:
D’Hammerschmiedgesell’n
Hirtenmadl
Kaffeemühlenpolka
Kaiserpolka
Sterntanz
Level II:
die alte Tirolienne
Gestl:ander Quadrille
Natanger Polka
Polka zu Dritt
St. Galens Wechselntanz
Winneweh- Kreuz und Quer
Der Mann im Heu
Hack und Zeh
Zillertaler Ländler
Level III:
Agattanz
Boarischer
Luxemburger Polka
Mühlrad
Isernhagener Polka
Kreuz König
Küßerdanz
Lünerburger Windmüller
Luxemburger Ländler
Sauerlandquadrille
Schottischquadrille
Schwäbische Mazurka
Watzenboren