Texas State German Contests, Inc: Houstonfest/Sprachfest/Winterfest/State

CRITIQUE SHEET: FOLK DANCE

School: _________________________________________________ Number of dancers: ________

Judges: ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

Rules: There is no required dance. The group must have the following items: a list of the dancers’ names (3 copies), documentation of the dances (3 copies), a CD player or tape player, an extension cord if needed, own music for dances. A school may enter only one dance group. There must be a minimum of 6 people and there is no maximum number.  Time Requirement: 10 minutes minimum, 15 minutes maximum, including entrance, exit, 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.

Overall Performance (max. 100 points)
	Points	Comments
1. Precision (50): 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?
2. Presence and Poise (20): 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?
3. Costumes (15): 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.
4. Authenticity (15): Are the dances truly German folk dances?  If variations have been made, do the variations retain the spirit of the genre, 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.
Levels of Individual Dances (max. 50 points): Level I = 3 points, Level II = 6, Level III = 10
Dance #1:		Level I: Simple dances with uncomplicated patterns and simple steps such as walking or march.  Ex. Hirtenmadl. Level II: Dances with more complicated patterns and steps such as the mazurka and the pivot.  Ex. Die alte Tirolienne. Level III: Dances with complex patterns and steps such as plattlers, schottisches, and lifts.  Ex. Kreuz-König, Boarischer.
Dance #2:
Dance #3:
Dance #4:
Dance #5:
TOTAL OF BOTH SECTIONS (max. 150 points)