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Dancing competitions are often held at Highland Gatherings and are a popular event. There are also dance compdetitions held seapartely. There are also closed and open competitions. Competitions can vary greatly in size and the audience attracted. There are also differences between countries. Many dancers enter several events. Often the competitins last throughout the day so competitors moften have long waits between events. There are great differences in how the participants react to the competitions. The younger dancers in particular can lose enthusiasm in the long waits between performances. HBC has noted some details about these competitions including practical suggestions for the parents of the younger competitors.
Dancing competitions are often held at Highland Gatherings and are a popular event.
There are also dance compdetitions held seapartely.
Competitions can vary greatly in size and the audience attracted.
There are also differences between countries.
A Canadian instructor reports, "In the Fraser Valley HDA,in British Colombia, our closed competitions (must be a member of the FVHDA to compete) include about 230 dancers, pretty much half in pre-premier and half in premier. Our categories consisted of Primary 5&U,
Prim 6, Beg 7& U, Beg 8, Beg9&10, Beg 11&O, Nov 8&U, Nov 9&10, Nov 11&12,
Nov 13&O, Int 11 & U, Int 12 & O, Prem 9&U, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16&O
with an average of 10 per class. The category breakdowns do vary a bit from
comp to comp depending on dancers changing categories and having birthdays.
In pre-premier, there are usually more dancers in the younger age categories
than the older. At our open competition this year, we had about 320 dancers,
with about the same category and age breakdown. At our last closed comp last weekend, we had 2 boys in premier 9&U, one boy in premier 10 (who won the trophy), one boy in beginner 11 and one boy in primary 5."
Another Canadian enthusiast reports, "Here in Ontario we seem to have a large number of dancers. Many of our competitions put limits on the number of entries they will take, usually ranging from 225 to 350. The competition that we attended last week had
around 180 dancers or so. Groups range from 10 to 25 dancers usually and a group won't be split until the number exceeds 30 dancers. The categories are split by age and the actual splits are determined by the number of entries. I have found in the past couple of years that the number of boys competing has grown dramatically. There must have been 12 or 13 male competitors in last week's event. My son has danced for 5 years now and, at the ripe old age of 9, still loves it. His legs go non-stop....if only I could get him to elevate - all in good time I guess. In my studio I have around 40 students and three of them are boys. They are a lot of fun to teach. Warrick, I'm sure my boys would love to see a boy dancer website. They look at the Celtic Spirit site and really like it."
A Highland dance reports that in New Zealand, "... a big competition will attract about 100 dancers and an average competition will attract about 50. A small restricted day
competition would be happy with 30. In terms of the individual age groups,
the younger age groups are larger and the senior age groups smaller but of a
high standard."
Many dancers enter several events. Often the competitins last throughout the day so competitors moften have long waits between events. There are great differences in how the participants react to the competitions. The younger dancers in particular can lose enthusiasm in the long waits between performances. HBC has noted some details about these competitions including practical suggestions for the parents of the younger competitors.
One mother asks, "My child does really well in his first dance or two, then starts getting bored/tired/frustrated from all the waiting and his performance goes downhill. Does anyone have any idea how to keep young ones from getting tired from all the waiting around?
Suggestions include, "Have something light to eat and drink, to keep the energy level up - when competition requires getting up early sometimes breakfast goes by the wayside.
Also take some games or puzzle books to occupy the young dancers. If the dancers sit together they also have ways of entertaining each other. Take a camera with you - let them take pictures, plus take pictures yourself. the best ones are when they have their heads together plotting what they're going to do after the competition! Also - don't forget the suntan lotion! For parents as well as the dancers! You can buy a large beach umbrella at K-Mart (American discout store) - set it over 2 or 3 chairs, everyone else will envy you."
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