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Fewster
Cecchetti Scholarship
Although
the number of entries for this year's annual Fewster Cecchetti Scholarship
was down on previous years it was encouraging to see the number of boys
who had entered and the pleasing level of their work.
When
introducing the proceedings, Linda Pilkington, Chairman of the Cecchetti
Society, gave a brief resumé of Barbara Fewster's career and spoke
of her strong support of the Cecchetti Method and the Society's many events.
David
Yow's inspiring class gave the students every opportunity to show the
differing qualities of movement and dynamics, musicality and Cecchetti
quality plus the blend of technique with artistry, all energetically and
joyfully shown by himself in his demonstration. Guy Attew's sympathetic
accompaniment encouraged the candidates to show their musicality.
In
her adjudication, Mary Goodhew, Ballet Principal of the Royal Ballet School
at White Lodge and herself a former Cecchetti Scholar, commended the students
on their confident and open approach and use of line, particularly eye-line,
although this did fade a little at times of 'stress'.
The
winner, Sarah Wilkinson, now at the English National Ballet School and
formerly a pupil of Debbie Jellis, demonstrated an even level of technical
ability throughout the class and a sense of movement and musicality, evident
from the first moment. The Runner up was Ihsan Rustem from the Rambert
School, and the Fewster Award for potential went to Steven Windsor of
the Kate Simmons School.
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(L
to R) Ihsan Rustem (Runner up),
Sarah Wilkinson (Winner),
Mary Goodhew (Adjudicator),
Steven Windsor (Fewster Award) |
In
his thanks at the end of the afternoon Richard Glasstone reminded everyone
that while it was important to progress and go forwards, one should always
remember where one has come from, in this case a direct link to the Maestro
himself through four generations of teachers. Cecchetti's pupil Margaret
Craske had taught Nora Roche who had in turn taught Miss Goodhew, Miss
Pilkington and himself, and he had in fact taught David Yow as a boy at
White Lodge. It was important not to forget the roots from which everything
stemmed.
Sandra
Powell
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Northern
Mabel Ryan Awards
Sunday 5th November
2000
The delightful little
Victorian Pomegranate Theatre in Chesterfield, was once again the venue
for these Awards, and set the scene well for another most successful day.
It was the 20th anniversary of this competition, and the Committee responsible
for the organisation are to be congratulated on another excellent day.
The idea for a Northern Mabel Ryan Award was initiated by Margaret Marsh
in 1980, and one feels she would be very pleased to know that not only
has it continued to flourish, but also to expand. It was good to have
her daughter, Jane Gibson, there this year as a participating teacher.
The Organisers also welcomed Linda Pilkington, the Chairman, and Daphne
Cooper, the Secretary of the Cecchetti Society Faculty. Their support
and encouragement was very much appreciated by all the teachers and competitors.
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Victoria
Chappell with Middle &
Senior Winner and Runners up |
Once again there
were three sections with a very high overall standard of work, and the
Adjudicator, Victoria Chappell, mentioned how difficult it was to select
the finalists. She congratulated them all, firstly on their arrival when
such bad weather created so many difficulties, and then on their impeccable
grooming and keen participation. She managed to speak personally, with
encouragement, to many of the dancers, and stressed the need for the use
of the eye-line and projection out to the audience, in order to overcome
a nervous approach. This was particularly important in the Junior section,
where many of the children were on stage for the first time. The Middle
and Senior dancers were commended for their attack, but could now try
to strengthen 'their centre core' to help them to use their arms and heads
with freedom, and obtain more ease of movement. It was interesting to
discover that Victoria Chappell had herself presented the work on stage
for those first Awards in 1980, and was now celebrating the 20th presentation
as a most encouraging Adjudicator!
The pianist for
the whole day was the indefatigable Eileen Hughes, who played with her
usual consistency and sincerity, inspiring all the dancers, and helping
the presenters.
Mary-Jane
Duckworth
Results
Junior Section
Winner
Sarah Blake (Tracey Moss/Kate Simmons)
Runners up
Natalie Cox (Tracey Moss/Kate Simmons)
Alistair Milne (Tracey Moss/Kate Simmons)
Middle
Section
Winner
Sophia Delpizzo (Tracey Moss/Kate Simmons)
Runner up
Polly Dolby (Mary-Jane Duckworth)
Senior
Section
Winner
Kathryn Barnfield (Tracey Moss/Kate Simmons)
Runner up
Victoria Duncan (Debbie Jellis)
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South
East Area Course
October
23rd was the day for the Cecchetti South East Area one day course, held
in Horsham, Sussex, and organised by Sandra Powell. The day was divided
into two sessions for both morning and afternoon. The morning brought
us, the teachers, as participants on to the floor to learn the Pre-Intermediate
Syllabus. This was taught by Linda Pilkington, Chairman of the Cecchetti
Society, who helped us to cover the work with ease.
Richard
Glasstone then joined us to conduct the next session and to share his
knowledge on the 'Use of Rhythm'. The ways in which children can be helped
to absorb rhythm and recognise different styles of movement were explored
and illustrated with musical comparisons. The use of words too as verbal
phrases which can then be translated into musical phrasing and so into
movement.
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Richard
Glasstone with the children's class |
The
afternoon brought the children in as participants, so well-groomed and
bursting with enthusiasm. The first class was for 8 to 10 year olds and
the second for 11 to 13 year olds. The children responded keenly to Mr
Glasstone's clear, gentle and rhythmic instructions with an enjoyment
that lit up the hall.
The
day was rich in ideas and approaches to teaching which were all supported
by the joyous accompaniment of Liz Hewson.
Jo
Turnbull
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Cecchetti
Centre Summer Associate Course
This
year, the Cecchetti Centre Associate Course attracted people not only
from all over the UK, but from different parts of Europe as well. The
clear and thorough teaching of Miss Pettinger and Miss Drower was very
stimulating and gave us a wonderful insight into the techniques of the
Cecchetti Method. Their patience and direction made us push ourselves
further, and made us question how and why we were doing even the simplest
movements.
Our
pianist, Pam Peters, answered all our musical questions with her usual
unfailing patience. She helped us all when it came to singing rhythms,
and provided inspiring music for us to work with.
The
teaching practice allowed us to put into use all the technical details
we had learnt in the morning sessions, and gave us all a deeper understanding
of how a child's anatomy can affect their dancing. It taught us many different
ideas on how to correct a child and develop their technique. We would
all like to say a big thank you to Jenny Hawcroft for organising the large
number of children who came to be guinea pigs for us, and to the teachers
who provided them. (Diana Cremona, Priscilla de Meric, Alison Dos Santos,
Linzi Else, Diana Forrester, Vanessa Gardner, Jenny Hawcroft, Silke Mackay,
Yolande Parkin and Gillian Robinson). It was a pleasure to have such a
large number of enthusiastic children who were willing to try anything
we asked of them. We all felt we had gained so much knowledge from this
course, not only from a teaching point of view, but also individually
as dancers.
The
Participants
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Eileen
Keegan
It is with great
regret that we report the death of Eileen Keegan, a renowned & much respected
teacher in South Africa. Obituary to follow soon.
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Examinations
As from January
2001 the Senior Certificate examination will no longer exist and the new
Pre-Intermediate will be in place. Technical notes and set music for this
are now available from HQ.
Please note: The Pre-Intermediate
is part of the vocational examination syllabus and should not be considered
as a substitute for the Senior Certificate examination. It is intended
to introduce a Standard VII examination as soon as possible to replace
this. Examinations at both Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate levels should
be timetabled at the beginning of the day in studio sessions.
Diana Barker
Memorial Fund
Teachers and students in the UK who wish to apply for assistance in their
studies for the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma should make an application to
Linda Pilkington, 50 Oakley Drive, Keston, Bromley, Kent BR2 8PT by 12th
March. Such applications should include a brief CV and details of the
way in which the grant would be used. The successful applicant will be
advised in due course.
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Maestro
Cecchetti Diploma
Our
congratulations go to Greg Bomke (USA) who was awarded his Diploma in
1999
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Diary
of Events 2001
| 7th
January |
Meeting
of Cecchetti Teachers' Association. For details contact Diana Cremona
on 01483 851212. |
| 4th
March |
Preliminaries
and Finals - London Mabel Ryan Awards. Commonwealth Institute, Kensington
W6 6NQ. For details and entry forms apply to: Susan Handy, 20 Eton Road,
Datchet, Berks SL3 9AY. Enclosing a large sae. Closing date 14th February
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| 10th
March |
Preliminaries
- Southern Area Awards, Shoreham by-Sea Community Centre. For details
and entry forms apply to Miss M Caulder, 296 Selsfield Drive, Moulsecoomb,
Brighton BN2 4HJ enclosing large sae. (01273 601117) |
| 18th
March |
Finals
- Southern Area Awards. Venue as above. |
| 8th
April |
SW
Mabel Ryan Awards, Bridgwater Town Hall. Details and entry forms from
Pamela Miller, 53 Maes-y-Gwernen Road, Morriston, Swansea SA6 6LL. Tel:
01792 774561. Closing date 1st March |
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