Slough Arts Festival

 Affiliated to The British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech

 Registered Charity No. 1033664

 Patron: Her Majesty The Queen

President: The Worshipful the Mayor of Slough

Slough Arts Festival is now in its 8th decade which is a magnificent achievement due in no small part to the wonderful contribution from our numerous supporters – competitors, teachers, friends, families and volunteers – which has sustained it and carried it forward over the years. This year we are delighted once again to see all our old friends returning and we extend a warm welcome to our new competitors. We hope you all enjoy our festival.

DATE: Monday 8th April – Friday 12th April 2019

VENUE: Churchmead School, Priory Way, Datchet, Slough, Berkshire SL3 9JQ

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: 1st February 2019

AGE OF COMPETITORS: Age on 1st September 2018

ADJUDICATOR: Miss Angela Whittle

CLASSES:

CLASSICAL
Ballet, National, Character, Classical Greek, Stylised Ballet 1 (C, D, E only), Contemporary or Modern Ballet 2 (D, E only),

STAGE
Song & Dance/Musical Theatre, Tap, Modern, Lyrical Modern

1 Classical Ballet and Stylised Ballet will be judged together in classes C, D and E. Only one dance from these two disciplines may be entered.

2 Contemporary and Modern Ballet will be judged together in classes D and E. Only one dance from these two disciplines may be entered.

AGE GROUPS, TIMINGS AND ENTRY FEES

ENQUIRIES TO: Lynne Casey Mobile: 0777 5566971
Email: stagedancing@slough-arts-festival.co.uk
www.slough-arts-festival.co.uk

RULES AND PROCEDURES

1. Professional/Amateur
The Festival is intended for amateurs. Professionals are defined as those who hold professional qualifications such as the passing of a professional examination to further their career, or whose income is mainly derived from teaching or performing professionally.

2. Entries
Entries and payment must be submitted on-line via the Slough Arts Festival website (www.slough-arts-festival.co.uk). The closing date is 1st February 2019. Fees cannot be refunded. The committee reserves the right to refuse entries and to close the entries, ahead of the closing date, once the festival is full.

3. Age
The maximum age for solos is 18 years and 21 for all others classes. Competitors may not enter solo classes out of their age group. The age of the ELDEST competitor in a Duet, Trio/Quartet or Group determines the correct age group.

4. Adjudicator’s Decision
The adjudicator’s decision is final. Communication with the adjudicator by competitors or other interested parties is forbidden and breach of this rule renders a competitor liable to disqualification.

5. Trophies
All trophies remain the property of Slough Arts Festival. Trophy winners will be held responsible for loss and/or damage whilst in their possession. No trophies are to be taken out of the country and must be returned by the date requested in a clean and suitable condition for presentation during festival week.

6. Medals
Gold, silver or bronze medals may be awarded at the discretion of the Adjudicator.

7. Responsibility
Slough Arts Festival cannot accept responsibility for any injury to competitors or damage/loss of personal property or equipment, wherever such loss may occur.

8. Photography/Mobile Phones
No photography or video recording or use of mobile phones is allowed in the auditorium. Where parents/guardians/carers do not wish photos to be taken at all, then the responsible adult attending should ensure that their child is not included in any official authorised photos.

9. Music Copyright.
The Festival is affiliated to the British & International Federation of Festivals and participates in its Group Licence to cover payment of fees for the use of recorded music at its events. Teachers using music from commercial recordings are reminded to seek advice in order to comply with the Copyright Act.

10. Marks in accordance with British Federation

11. Competitors must be ready to dance 20 minutes prior to the start of the class.

12. Teachers must not go into the wings, unless supervising children under 9 years, without the permission of the Committee.

13. Re-dancing will be allowed in Baby, A and B Classes only unless due to technical problems.

14. No pointe work is allowed in sections Baby, A, B, or C.

15. Competitors may perform ONCE only in their age group in each dance technique in a Solo section. They may perform in only FOUR Duets and FOUR Trio/Quartet sections overall.

16. It is the teacher’s responsibility to check that music adheres to time limits. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

17. The Festival Committee reserves the right to restrict the number of entries in any class, or to combine or divide classes for adjudication. The committee has the power to resolve any ad hoc question or dispute which may arise and its decision is final.

18. Competitors are not permitted to dance out of programme order unless costume changes apply.

19. Music: CDs must be submitted with each dance on a separate cd and clearly labelled.

20. In Tap sections, no tapping sound is permissible on the music track.

21. Titles can be announced and a synopsis of not more than 20 words may be given to the caller prior to the class.

22. In Song & Dance/Musical Theatre sections, the song must be suitable for the age of the competitor and the dance should relate to the song. No vocal backing is permitted in these classes.

We’ve detailed the current All England Dance definitions of each class for your information which can be found on their website.

DANCE TECHNIQUES – ALL ENGLAND DANCE DESCRIPTORS

 Classical Ballet 

Dances should include adage and allegro. Titles, characterisations and hand held props are not allowed. Costumes should ensure that every aspect of classical technique is clearly visible. Repertoire is not allowed.

Stylised Ballet

The communication of an idea through movement, danced with Classical Ballet technique when using hand props or with traditional style, such as Hornpipe, Spanish, Scottish,Tarantella.  Soft or pointe shoes must be worn.

Modern Ballet

A fusion of Modern and Classical Ballet genres combining the classical technique, which may be performed with a parallel line of leg and contemporary movement. This form may be performed bare foot but usually requires the use of soft or pointe shoes.

Contemporary

Technically the work may reference Limon / Horton / Graham / Cunningham / Release /Flying Low / GaGa or any other recognised Contemporary technique and should be underpinned with a strong classical base. The work should show an understanding of choreographic content and a clear reference to the defined principles of contraction and release, fall and rebound, use of breath and gravity and successive or initiated movement. Whilst there is an athletic strength to the work, acrobatic work should be minimal and used only to enhance the choreographic work.

 Classical Greek

Following the technique of Ruby Ginner, classical Greek is performed barefoot and essentially showing the use of opposition and relaxation through the movements. Dances should reflect the title. Myths and Nature Themes are acceptable provided the movements are given their appropriate interpretation that relates to one or more of the seven different styles in this technique.

 National

All traditional music, songs and technique appropriate to the country of choice are acceptable. Younger competitors are expected to demonstrate traditional performances. Seniors may introduce theatrical performances that are clearly based on a national tradition.

 Character

A dramatic, artistic or sometimes humorous presentation of :

A story /character from any book, poem, play, film, history, cartoon, original created theme, etc.

The mannerisms and essential features of animals, birds, insects, reptiles, virus, and topical interpretations of abstract themes.

Appropriate technique for the character should be used.

Modern

An all-inclusive term applied to an ever-evolving performing art. It includes lyrical modern, Jazz, Stage Contemporary, Hip Hop and all styles of Modern Theatre Dance. Acrobatic, Gymnastic, and Street Dance are also acceptable when combined with a recognisable dance technique and a theatrical quality. All routines should observe safe dance practice.

Lyrical Modern

Based on Modern technique, lyrical modern should show flowing movements that express the emotion of the music. Gymnastic and acrobatic work is not allowed. Floor work should be kept to a minimum.

Tap

All styles and developments in technique, including characterisation and humour, are encouraged providing the projection, beating and presentation of the routine is fully sustained and appropriate.

Song & Dance/Musical Theatre

The song sets the scene, mood and style of the dance. Pitch and accuracy whilst singing are essential. The dance should provide continuity and reflect the words of the song, which should be sustained throughout. The overall performance should show a combination of Song, Dance and Drama/Acting.

Child Protection Policy

The British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech work for amateur festivals everywhere to help create thousands of educational performance opportunities for children and young people each year.
The Federation, and our member Festivals, are committed to ensuring safe environments for children and young people and believe that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to recommend best practice which protects them.
This policy applies to our Board of Trustees, paid staff, Adjudicator members, volunteers, students or anyone working on behalf of the Federation and our member Festivals.
We recognise that:
• the welfare of the child/young person is paramount
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
The purpose of the policy:
• to provide protection for the children and young people who participate in our festivals, including the children of festival members
• to provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm
We will seek to safeguard children and young people by:
• valuing them, listening to and respecting them
• adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and safe working practice for staff and volunteers
• recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
• sharing information about child protection and safe working practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
• sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.

The Federation will review this policy each year in November in line with Safe Network guidance or sooner in light of any changes in legislation or guidance. All changes will be communicated to our member Festivals in time for the start of the new Festival year.

Creating Safer Festivals for Everyone
The Federation and its member Festivals use the following policies and procedures to create Safer Festivals for everyone:
1. A single, definitive Child Protection Policy adopted by all Federation Festivals.
2. Designated Festival Safeguarding Officers (FSO)
Slough Arts Festival (Lynne Casey) Phone: 0777 5566971
3. Best practice advice in the form of Safe Working Practice and Festival Child Protection leaflets, with support and training for all Festival staff and volunteers. Including clear reporting procedures for anyone with a concern about a child.
4. Appropriate recruitment and induction procedures for all new Festival staff and volunteers responsible for providing safe environments for everyone attending / performing at a Federation Festival.
5. All Festival committee members and volunteers wear a Festival identification badge. All teachers/parents/guardians /carers are asked to report all incidents of any nature to anyone wearing a badge. All reported incidents will be handled in accordance with the Safe Working Practice and Festival Child Protection best practice advice. In addition we will ensure the availability of a quiet area / room where concerns can be expressed in private.
6. For the duration of a Festival all teachers/parents/guardians/carers are responsible for the continuous care and supervision of their own children/pupils. If they are unable to attend personally, they must delegate their responsibilities to an identified adult and ensure that their children/pupils are aware of the identity and name of the person responsible for their care. This includes supervision throughout all Festival venues and public areas.
7. Changing accommodation is provided. Single sex dressing rooms will be available plus a ‘family room’. Changing rooms are not supervised by Festival staff. Parents of younger children may accompany them to the side of the stage, but if they wish to remain to watch the performance (at the discretion of the stage manager), then they must be in possession of an admission ticket.
8. No unauthorised photography, audio or video/digital recording of children and young people is allowed at our Festivals. Where parents/guardians/carers do not wish photos to be taken at all, then the responsible adult attending should ensure that their child is not included in official photos.
9. Some children and vulnerable adults may have specific needs in order to take part. If this is the case we ask the responsible teachers/parents/guardians/carers to contact the Festival prior to arrival. The Festival actively seeks wherever possible to meet these needs, but must know beforehand in order to prepare support – or to advise that help cannot be provided on this occasion.
10. The Festival’s Child Protection Policy and approach to Creating Safer Festivals for Everyone is published explicitly in our Syllabus, Programme and on our website. By completing and signing the entry form all parents / guardians / carers and teachers of entrants under 18 confirm that they give (or have obtained) the necessary consents for the entrants to take part in the Festival. Without consent the entry to the Festival cannot be accepted.