Feis entry help for new Parents:
Many new parents or first time competitors have questions regarding
competitions.  Listed below is an overview of some of the things you would
need to know to get started in competition, as well as a sample of a feis syllabus.
Irish dance competitions called feisanna are open to dancers from every level.
Beginner dancers are required to dance two steps (consecutively) on both the
right and left foot. Once your child is able to perform two steps you can
consider entering them in competition.  
Competition encourages our dancers to strive to  improve and meet personal
goals. It also offers dancers a chance to meet dancers and families from other
schools and more importantly make friendships that can last a lifetime.
Beginner dancers are not required to have a school costume. A white blouse ,
black skirt, dance socks and shoes are fine.  Hair should be curled or put up in
a bun.
********************************************
If you are considering entering your dancer in competition for the first time,
looking at a feis syllabus could be a bit daunting.
Here are a few tips to help you get started.  

**The first thing you will need to do is choose which feis you would like to
attend.  Basically for first timers, that is one closest to home!

***To see a listing of all of the upcoming feisanna (plural of feis) you can use
the following link:  feisinfo.petersmithschool.com    
Information regarding each feis will be listed on the site as well as a syllabus
for that particular feis.
**Remember:  The syllabus is the key to every feis!

On the syllabus you will find: the date, location, directions, the competitions
that are being offered, the fees per dance,  the approximate time the event will
start, and also most importantly,the name of the feis entry person( the person
to whom you will be mailing your entry card )

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU TAKE SPECIAL NOTICE OF THE CLOSE OUT
DATE ON THE SYLLABUS, ( that is the last date they will accept entries for their
feis!)  
*** However, many feisanna reach their maximun number of entries early and
will close out once they reach that number.
It is always best to enter early!

Before you can fill out your entry card, you need to  find out from your teacher
what dances he/ or she wants your child to enter, then select your child's age
group.

The rule for dance age is:
Always consider your child's age as of January 1st of that year.
For example, a child who turned 9 years old on May 15th, will be considered 8
years old ( or under 9) for dancing purposes, since she was 8 on January 1st!

Therefore, if you look at the sample of the syllabus below, your child would be
dancing (under 9).
Say now that your teacher tells you that your child is able to enter a reel, jig ,
and slip jig competition.
You would follow down the list to find Under 9, then look across.   Her
competition numbers would be 215, Reel;   216, Jig,   217, Slip Jig.

                        SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Girl           Reel         Jig      Slip Jig   Treble Jig   Hornpipe               
Under  6   200         201         202         203         204                                
Under 7    205         206         207         208         209                            
Under 8    210         211         212         213         214                            
Under 9     215         216         217         218         219                             
Under 10   220         221         222         223         224                         
Under 11   225         226         227         228         229                      
Under 12   230         231         232         233         234                        

Now that you know the dancers, the next step is to fill out the entry card!
Get yourself  a 3x5 card, and put your dancers Name, age, date of birth on the
top line.  Address and phone number next, followed by dance school name, which
is Mc Coy School of Irish Dance.
Then list the competition numbers  your child is planning on entering
(as demonstrated above)
Add up the fees per dance .  If it's $3.00 per dance and you enter 2 dances you
owe $6.00. Make out a check ( to whomever the syllabus indicates)for the
total amount of entry fees.   If it is offered on the syllabus , also include a self
addressed stamped envelope so that they can send you your competitor number.  
Mail the entry card and the check to the feis entry person , and you're all done!

            Good Luck and have fun feising!

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MC COY SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE
                            Maggie Mc Coy - Lorady   T.C.R.G.
       IN  ONO' IR M' ATHAR