What is Feiseanna, or Feis?
The word "Feis" (pronounced “fesh”) is a Gaelic word meaning "festival" and has come to describe a traditional Gaelic arts and culture festival. Feiseanna (plural for Feis) are Irish dancing competitions.
A feis is a gathering of dancers for competition, each representing various Irish Dance Schools, where dancers perform in front of a judge (or judges) to live music. In solo events, competitors from different schools dance simultaneously, meaning there will be one or two other dancers dancing alongside you dancing different steps. For each Grade event, a dancer must perform two steps in sequence.
Throughout the year there will be many feiseanna that your dancer can compete in. Dancers are encouraged to feis, but are never required to. Feising will help your dancer set goals and gain confidence. They will learn how to win and lose gracefully while meeting new friends their age from other schools and cheering on other Kender Academy Team Dancers.
Although Irish Dancing can be competed as an individual sport, Kender Academy dancers are expected to maintain a team mindset and be supportive of all Kender Academy dancers regardless if they are competing individually or on a ceili team. We are all representing and a member of the Kender Academy Team.
Feiseanna is very exciting and fun. It is also a great way to connect with other dancers who share your passion and culture. They can also be used to measure your individual dance goals.
In Irish dance there are different levels of competition: beginner, advanced beginner, novice, prizewinner, preliminary championship, and open championship. There are also special categories for adult.
Dancers advance levels by gaining medals in different dances. The dances include light jig, Hop jig (single jig), slip jig, reel, treble jig, hornpipe, traditional set, contemporary sets and treble reel.
There are two categories of dance competitions at a feis: solo dancing and figure dancing. The solo dances are performed by individual competitors. Figure dances are performed in teams comprised of several dancers from the same school. These figure dances are called Ceilis (pronounced “kaylee”) and are named by the number of dancers in the team, for example: a 4-Hand consists of 4 dancers. The traditional Ceili dances are set choreography regardless of which school dances them, and are therefore judged on technique and team execution, not unique choreography. The most common ceili's at competitions are 4-Hnads, 6-Hands, and 8-Hands. There are also 2-Hand and 3-Hand dances, but these are choreographed by the dance instructor, and are therefore unique to the particular school.
A little more about the Feis levels...
There are six grade levels in competitive Irish Dancing that are divided by age and experience level:
7. Adult Dancing: To be eligible to register as an Adult dancer, one must be 18 and Over AND not have competed in non-Adult competitions for solo or team events during the previous five (5) years.
Music Speeds for each level:
A feis is a gathering of dancers for competition, each representing various Irish Dance Schools, where dancers perform in front of a judge (or judges) to live music. In solo events, competitors from different schools dance simultaneously, meaning there will be one or two other dancers dancing alongside you dancing different steps. For each Grade event, a dancer must perform two steps in sequence.
Throughout the year there will be many feiseanna that your dancer can compete in. Dancers are encouraged to feis, but are never required to. Feising will help your dancer set goals and gain confidence. They will learn how to win and lose gracefully while meeting new friends their age from other schools and cheering on other Kender Academy Team Dancers.
Although Irish Dancing can be competed as an individual sport, Kender Academy dancers are expected to maintain a team mindset and be supportive of all Kender Academy dancers regardless if they are competing individually or on a ceili team. We are all representing and a member of the Kender Academy Team.
Feiseanna is very exciting and fun. It is also a great way to connect with other dancers who share your passion and culture. They can also be used to measure your individual dance goals.
In Irish dance there are different levels of competition: beginner, advanced beginner, novice, prizewinner, preliminary championship, and open championship. There are also special categories for adult.
Dancers advance levels by gaining medals in different dances. The dances include light jig, Hop jig (single jig), slip jig, reel, treble jig, hornpipe, traditional set, contemporary sets and treble reel.
There are two categories of dance competitions at a feis: solo dancing and figure dancing. The solo dances are performed by individual competitors. Figure dances are performed in teams comprised of several dancers from the same school. These figure dances are called Ceilis (pronounced “kaylee”) and are named by the number of dancers in the team, for example: a 4-Hand consists of 4 dancers. The traditional Ceili dances are set choreography regardless of which school dances them, and are therefore judged on technique and team execution, not unique choreography. The most common ceili's at competitions are 4-Hnads, 6-Hands, and 8-Hands. There are also 2-Hand and 3-Hand dances, but these are choreographed by the dance instructor, and are therefore unique to the particular school.
A little more about the Feis levels...
There are six grade levels in competitive Irish Dancing that are divided by age and experience level:
- Beginner: A dancer who has only been taking Irish dance lessons for one year or less. Because the "feis year" (Jan-Dec) is different from the "school year" (Sept-June), dancers who began lessons in September may keep Beginner status until December of their second year of lessons. A Beginner must move into the Advanced Beginner category for all dance events the next calendar year. Dancers dance 2 steps, two at a time.
- Advanced Beginner: For all dancers new to competition, regardless of the number of years they have been dancing. An Advanced Beginner who wins 1st, 2nd or 3rd place will advance to the Novice category in that particular dance the next calendar year.
- Novice: Students that have graded out of Advanced beginner category and are ready to perform more difficult steps in competition. For hard shoe dances (treble jig and hornpipe), Novice competitors are offered a choice of music tempo: “slow”, also known as Oireachtas speed, or “fast”, also known as traditional speed. (Beginner and Advanced Beginner hard shoe tempo is always traditional speed.) A Novice who wins a 1st place will advance to the Prizewinner category in that particular dance.
- As of Jan 2013 - if there are more than 20 dancers in a Novice Grade competition group, both the 1st place and 2nd place dancers in that group will advance to Prizewinner for that particular dance.
- Prizewinner: Students that have graded out of Novice Category. After a student wins 1st place in either of their soft shoe dances, AND 1st place in either of their hard shoe dances - they progress to the Preliminary Championship level.
- Preliminary Championship: Students that have graded out of Prizewinner. Competitors are typically required to perform a soft shoe dance (reel or slip jig) and a hard shoe dance (treble jig or hornpipe). A feis can also opt to require a contemporary set dance as a third dance, or instead of the treble jig/hornpipe. After a student wins 1st place three times, they progress to the Open Championship level.
- Open Championship: This is the highest level of competition. Competitors are required to perform a soft shoe dance (reel or slip jig), a hard shoe dance (treble jig or hornpipe), and a Contemporary set dance.
7. Adult Dancing: To be eligible to register as an Adult dancer, one must be 18 and Over AND not have competed in non-Adult competitions for solo or team events during the previous five (5) years.
Music Speeds for each level:
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Beginner/Advanced Beginner:
Reel 122-124 Light Jig 115 Single/Hop Jig 124 Slip Jig 122-124 Heavy Jig 92 Hornpipe 138 |
Novice/Prizewinner:
Reel 113 Light Jig 115 Single/Hop Jig 124 Slip Jig 113 Heavy Jig 73 or 92 Hornpipe 113 or 138 |
Preliminary & Open Championship
Reel 113 Slip Jig 113 Heavy Jig 73 Hornpipe 113 |
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Feis Age:
Your dancer’s age to register is what he or she is on January 1 of each year. If your dancer is 8 years old on January 1, he or she will dance in the Under 9 category for the entire year (even after his or her birthday passes).
When a dancer’s birth date falls on this date, he/she will be considered under the attained age. (i.e. if a dancer turns 12 on 1/1 of a specific year, he/she will dance u12 all year) All solo competitors must compete in their own age group. Competitors who are eligible to dance under 12 or older as of January 1st of this year, are permitted to do block/en-pointe work. Competitors in younger age groups are not permitted to dance such movements.
How are competitions Judged?
Judging is somewhat subjective, and results will vary. But each adjudicator is looking for proficiency in basic Irish Dance skills, such as:
Competitions for each individual dance are scored on a 100 point system, which indicate the subjective opinion of each different judge.
Irish Points
Preliminary and Open Championship competitions are judged by at least 3 adjudicators. At regional, national and world “Oireachtas” competitions, there can be 5 or more. Because of the subjective nature of judging, the varying scales used by each judge, and fact that the scores of 3 dances must be combined to determine overall placing, an additional Irish Points method of scoring is used. Each individual adjudicator derives from their own scoring, a final placing. Ties in these placings are discouraged but do happen. Each of the placings from 1st to 50th are assigned an Irish Point Value, which when combined with the other adjudicators, determines final placing. The Irish Points per individually judged place are vaguely logarithmic, in that 1st = 100 points, 2nd = 75, 3rd = 65 etc, until 50th = 1. This gives higher marks by single judges more weight than average marks by more judges.
How do I sign up for a Feis?
There are several registration sites used for Feiseanna as well as the IDTANA's website. You can check each website, or use the find a feis page on IDTANA.org to see what feiseanna are coming up. You can also check the monthly school newsletter. You will need to set up accounts on these websites the first time you register.
How do I know what dances to sign up for?
Your teacher will tell you what dances and what level your dancer should register for. We will also inform you when your dancer moves to the next level (ex: Adv Beginner to Novice) based on dancers competition results/placements.
What to Expect:
A few days prior to the feis:
Results
Results may take anywhere from a half hour to a few hours later. For Grade levels (beginner - prizewinner) the competition number will be listed on the wall with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place listed underneath. The competitor numbers will then be listed next to the number of place that they have been awarded. If your dancer’s number is in one of the boxes, congratulations! Your next stop is the awards table!
For the Prelim and Open Championship levels, placements will be announced. Dancers must be dressed for awards in their costume and dance shoes.
Some adjudicators will make quick comments while watching each dance - these are called “marks”. It is very helpful for the dancer to see these comments, so they know what to work on. If you receive marks at the feis, please hand a copy to your teacher at the next class.
Your dancer’s age to register is what he or she is on January 1 of each year. If your dancer is 8 years old on January 1, he or she will dance in the Under 9 category for the entire year (even after his or her birthday passes).
When a dancer’s birth date falls on this date, he/she will be considered under the attained age. (i.e. if a dancer turns 12 on 1/1 of a specific year, he/she will dance u12 all year) All solo competitors must compete in their own age group. Competitors who are eligible to dance under 12 or older as of January 1st of this year, are permitted to do block/en-pointe work. Competitors in younger age groups are not permitted to dance such movements.
How are competitions Judged?
Judging is somewhat subjective, and results will vary. But each adjudicator is looking for proficiency in basic Irish Dance skills, such as:
- Good timing and rhythm
- Pointed toes
- Crossing
- Carriage
- Flexibility and Control
- Sharpness and Gracefulness
- Confidence
Competitions for each individual dance are scored on a 100 point system, which indicate the subjective opinion of each different judge.
Irish Points
Preliminary and Open Championship competitions are judged by at least 3 adjudicators. At regional, national and world “Oireachtas” competitions, there can be 5 or more. Because of the subjective nature of judging, the varying scales used by each judge, and fact that the scores of 3 dances must be combined to determine overall placing, an additional Irish Points method of scoring is used. Each individual adjudicator derives from their own scoring, a final placing. Ties in these placings are discouraged but do happen. Each of the placings from 1st to 50th are assigned an Irish Point Value, which when combined with the other adjudicators, determines final placing. The Irish Points per individually judged place are vaguely logarithmic, in that 1st = 100 points, 2nd = 75, 3rd = 65 etc, until 50th = 1. This gives higher marks by single judges more weight than average marks by more judges.
How do I sign up for a Feis?
There are several registration sites used for Feiseanna as well as the IDTANA's website. You can check each website, or use the find a feis page on IDTANA.org to see what feiseanna are coming up. You can also check the monthly school newsletter. You will need to set up accounts on these websites the first time you register.
How do I know what dances to sign up for?
Your teacher will tell you what dances and what level your dancer should register for. We will also inform you when your dancer moves to the next level (ex: Adv Beginner to Novice) based on dancers competition results/placements.
What to Expect:
A few days prior to the feis:
- check online for the stage schedule. This can usually be found of the feis' website, or the hosting dance school's social media and website.
- check to see if you must print or pick up your dancer's number at the feis (a competition number is assigned to each dancer entered in the feis and must be worn while the dancer competes on stage)
- Pack your feis bag with all your essentials - don't forget your dance shoes!
- Poodle socks, costume, wig, hair accessories, bobypins, safety pins, sock glue, extra tights, water, nutricous snacks, etc..
- make sure your shoes are polished and neat
- Plan to arrive to the feis early - competitions may run early if stages are running ahead of schedule
- find your stage and a space to warm up
- If you have questions please ask a feis volunteer — they usually have matching shirts or a badge. DO NOT approach an adjudicator or musician or stand around them. Thank you.
- Be dressed and ready to go as soon as the announce stage lineup
- wig/hair is neat and done
- dancers are in their costume
- proper shoes are on
- number is attached at the waist visibly
- Competition numbers are typically listed in order on a big sign next to the assigned stage. As each dance is completed, it is usually crossed out. Sometimes the feis also have a sign with ‘now dancing’ and ‘next’. It is very important to pay attention to these signs.
- Unfortunately, competitions will not wait for missing dancers, and stages can move at different paces based on the number of competitors in each dance. However, if you found that you’ve missed your dance, don’t panic! Speak with the stage manager to see if they will allow you to dance separately.
- When your dancer’s competition is next up to dance, it’s time to check in with a stage manager side stage.
- For the beginner levels, a stage helper will assist dancers with when to move forward, start dancing, and remind them to bow to the judge (adjudicator) at the end.
Results
Results may take anywhere from a half hour to a few hours later. For Grade levels (beginner - prizewinner) the competition number will be listed on the wall with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place listed underneath. The competitor numbers will then be listed next to the number of place that they have been awarded. If your dancer’s number is in one of the boxes, congratulations! Your next stop is the awards table!
For the Prelim and Open Championship levels, placements will be announced. Dancers must be dressed for awards in their costume and dance shoes.
Some adjudicators will make quick comments while watching each dance - these are called “marks”. It is very helpful for the dancer to see these comments, so they know what to work on. If you receive marks at the feis, please hand a copy to your teacher at the next class.
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Costumes
Mid-Atlantic Region Oireachtas
Qualifications:
Ceili Dancing
Rules:
Awards:
Dates: The Mid-Atlantic Region Oireachtas always takes place Thanksgiving Weekend at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Competitions are schedule on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
North American Irish Dance Championships
Qualifications:
Qualification For Worlds: Qualifiers will be assessed and announced based on the actual number of North American-resident dancers that participate (not the number registered), applying the current CLRG formulas. Competitors in the U8 and U9 Solo Championships, Adult Championship, and Advanced Adult Championship do not qualify for the World Championships.
Dates: The North American Irish Dance Championships are always held during the dates surrounding July 4th. The specific dates and location changes every year. Locations can be hosted in the USA & Canada.
- Beginner & Advanced Beginner – Dancers competing at the beginner level must wear either a skirt and blouse (girls)/trousers and shirt (boys) OR a school costume. No solo costumes are allowed to be worn at this level.
- Kender Academy dancers are required to wear either the school leotard and skirt with red cape; the school team dress; or a white blouse and red/black plaid skirt (which must be approved by Kender Academy Teaching staff). Boys must wear black dance pants and a white shirt with a red tie or the Kender Academy team Vest.
- Novice – Dancers competing at the Novice level must wear either the Kender Academy team dress or the school leotard, skirt, and red cape.
- Prizewinner – Dancers competing at the Prizewinner level can wear either the Kender Academy Team Dress or a Solo Costume.
- Solo Costumes must be approved by the Director before purchase.
- Preliminary & Open Championship- Dancers competing at this level are expected to purchase a Solo Costume (Second Hand or Custom Made). Dancers must consult the direct prior to purchase/ordering.
- Ceili Teams: Dancers competing on Kender Academy Ceili teams must purchase their own Kender Academy Team Dress from Prime Dress Designs.
- Teams U9 & U11 will wear the Kender Academy school leotard, skirt, and red cape.
Mid-Atlantic Region Oireachtas
Qualifications:
- Solo Dancing:
- Any dancer who has received a 1st in prizewinner in the required soft and heavy dance is eligible to enter & dance at this year’s Oireachtas, at the discretion of the Kender Academy Teachers.
- Dancers in the U8 and U9 age groups are eligible to dance at the Oireachtas at the discretion of Kender Academy Dance Teachers.
- Traditional Set Dancing:
- Any dancer in Novice-Prizewinner is eligible to enter at the discretion of the Kender Academy Teachers.
- A dancer may not enter into both a Traditional Set and a Solo Competition.
- Adult Dancing:
- To be eligible to register as an Adult dancer, one must be 18 and Over AND not have competed in non-Adult competitions for solo or team events during the previous five (5) years.
Ceili Dancing
- Dancers in Ceili, Figure, and Dance Drama may compete in his or her own age group or in the next age group up. Dancers may NOT compete in an age group lower than their actual age.
- Dancers who move up cannot move up more than one age group (Ex: Under 10 dancers can compete in u10 or u12 but not u15 & older) 50% of the team must be in the correct age group.
- When necessary to complete an eight-hand team, 25% (two dancers) may repeat/move up one age group. When necessary to complete a four-hand team, 25% (one dancer) may repeat/move up one age group. When necessary to complete a six-hand team, TWO dancers may repeat/move up one age group.
- Mixed Teams: For four-hand and eight-hand Ceilis, 25% of the team must be male dancers (minimum of 1 male per four hand dance and 2 males per eight hand dance). For Six Hand Fairy Reel Ceilis, 1 dancer must be male.
- Multiple Teams: Dancers may not compete in more than one team in any competition for any class of figure dancing.
- Ceili Age Groups:
- Girls: U9, U11, U13, U16, U19, 19 & Over, Adult
- Mixed: U9, U11, U13, U16, 16 & Over, Adult
- Figure Age Groups:
- Girls: U11, U13, U16, 16 & Over
- Mixed: U13, 13& Over
Rules:
- Championships will commence with the heavy shoe round followed by the soft shoe round. Dancers who are in the recall will then dance a set dance as their third round.
- In all competitions, only recalled competitors will perform their set-dances.
- In competitions with less than 30 dancers, all will be recalled for the set dance round.
Awards:
- Recalls: For Solo Championship competitions with 30 or more dancers, 50% will be recalled. Competitions of less than 30 will have a 100% recall. In all cases, awards will be determined by the actual number of participants (will not include registrants who do not dance).
- NAIDC Qualifiers (from age U9 & Up) shall be the Top ten dancers plus 25% of the competition. Example: if 84 dancers compete, there will be 31 North American Championship qualifiers.
- World Qualifiers (from age U10 & Up) shall be 5 if the competition is fewer than 20 dancers. In competitions with 21 or more dancers, the number shall be 5 plus one additional qualifier for each ten participants in excess of the first 20 participants. Example: If 84 dancers compete, there will be 12 world qualifiers. In the case of the Senior Men’s Championship, there shall be 7 (for the first 20 dancers) plus one for every additional five participants in excess of the first 20.
Dates: The Mid-Atlantic Region Oireachtas always takes place Thanksgiving Weekend at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Competitions are schedule on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
North American Irish Dance Championships
Qualifications:
- Solo Dancing:
- Eligibility to participate in Solo Championships (excluding the adult category) at the North American Irish Dance Championships can be achieved in one of three (3) ways:
- All Open Championship level dancers are automatically eligible.
- U8 and U9 dancers can be registered at the discretion of Kender Academy Teachers.
- All U10 and older dancers must qualify at their regional Oireachtas. The top ten (10) dancers plus 25% of the competition at the regional Oireachtas in each category will qualify for the North American Irish Dance Championships, subject to being recalled.
- Eligibility to participate in Solo Championships (excluding the adult category) at the North American Irish Dance Championships can be achieved in one of three (3) ways:
- Traditional Set Dancing:
- Traditional set competitions will be offered to dancers who are not entered in a solo championship competition. Rules for entry are as follows:
- Competitors may not enter both Special (Traditional Sets) and Open Solo Championships Competitions.
- Traditional set dance competitions are confined to those dancers who have not met the requirements for entry in solo championships.
- Entries are at the sole discretion of the Kender Academy Teachers
- Traditional set competitions will be offered to dancers who are not entered in a solo championship competition. Rules for entry are as follows:
- Ceili Dancing:
- There is no qualification to participate in teams, entries are at the discretion of Kender Academy Teachers.
- Adult Dancing:
- To be eligible to register as an Adult dancer, one must not have competed in non-Adult competitions for solo or team events during the
previous five (5) years.
- To be eligible to register as an Adult dancer, one must not have competed in non-Adult competitions for solo or team events during the
Qualification For Worlds: Qualifiers will be assessed and announced based on the actual number of North American-resident dancers that participate (not the number registered), applying the current CLRG formulas. Competitors in the U8 and U9 Solo Championships, Adult Championship, and Advanced Adult Championship do not qualify for the World Championships.
Dates: The North American Irish Dance Championships are always held during the dates surrounding July 4th. The specific dates and location changes every year. Locations can be hosted in the USA & Canada.
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