|
National
Projects
Projects are an
important part of the National examination process. (Marks are now allotted
for projects on the new report forms). However they should be interesting,
stimulating and educational for the candidates - not a chore!
Grade Examinations:
At this level it is vital that the children learn and have fun at the
same time. They should chose an activity that appeals to them eg. cooking,
painting, drawing, sewing etc.
Cooking: This
should involve preparing a dish from the chosen country and writing out
the recipe.
Costumes:
Draw or paint a costume. Possibly create a costume collage using pieces
of material and braids. Dress a doll.
Maps:
Again these could be drawn or painted. They could form the centre of a
collage surrounded by costumes from that particular country.
Music:
Traditional folk melodies might be sung or played as a solo or in a group.
Sewing:
An example of traditional embroidery could be mounted into a frame.
The children might even make their props for the set solo - a gnome for
Primary; embroider or paint a ribbon for Grade III; a lace collar for
Grade IV.
A great deal of
information can be found on the internet, but it is so important for the
children/students to understand what they submit, a small paragraph is
preferable to several pages merely printed out.
Major Examinations:
A written project consisting of notes and drawings of costumes and maps
etc. is very acceptable. But once again it is so important for the candidate
to be able to discuss this information. As in the Grades the work can
take a practical approach. Older students may well have developed skills
that they wish to demonstrate at this level, a portfolio of drawn or painted
costumes or examples of traditional embroidery could be very valuable
later in a teaching career.
Wherever possible,
it is really beneficial to mount a display of the work produced either
in the studio or possible at a school show. The local newspapers might
be persuaded to include a feature on it. This then gives the children/students
a sense of achievement and also pride in their work. Hopefully it might
also encourage others to join in and swell the numbers!
Photos show
work from the pupils of Audrey Evans, Marion Roberts and Rosemary Brangwin.
Robina
Smith
Back
to top
Dame
Ninette de Valois OM CH DBE
June 6th 1898
- March 8th 2001
Dame Ninette de Valois, Patron of the National Dance Faculty, died on
8th March, only three months before her 103rd birthday. She was a very
remarkable lady who in her lifetime achieved such outstanding results
and became the major creator of British ballet. Her interests were wide
ranging and embraced not only the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet,
the Royal Ballet School and White Lodge, but also the Turkish National
Ballet. Her love of Folk Dance was demonstrated by the inclusion of the
National Dance syllabus into the Teachers Training Course at the Royal
Ballet School and which Joan Lawson, co-founder of the National Dance
Faculty, taught for many years. It is with regret and sadness that the
National Dance Faculty will have to come to terms with her death. We will
all miss her as Patron and her encouragement of Folk Dance, a subject
she felt should be part of the curriculum in all dance and educational
schools.
 |
Dame
Ninette at a party given in her honour by the National Dance Faculty |
Back
to top
Scottish
Kate Penny, committee
member of the Scottish Branch of the National Faculty, held a special
celebration to mark the Millennium with her students from Oaklands College
Scottish Country Dance class, Harpenden, Herts. A country dance was selected
and then the students got together in their sets and demonstrated it,
after several practice sessions! Each dancer was presented with a special
plaque by the guest of honour, Mrs Joan Bartholomew, wife of the late
Eric Morecambe. Events of this kind are always most enjoyable, stimulate
the class, give publicity in the local paper and encourage new members.
 |
Kate
Penny from Oaklands College Scottish Country Dance class with some of
the students |
Back
to top
Spirit
of the Dance
 |
'Spirit
of the Dance'. All National Advanced dancers. (L-R): Darren Stack, Caroline
Coombs, Nigel Hunt, Rachel Bury |
There are now several
companies of 'Spirit of the Dance' touring the world, it is a show that
captures audiences by its high powered performances, vitality and expertise.
The new format now embraces not only Irish but Scottish, Spanish, Tango,
Waltz and Latin, all very theatrical and stylised but danced with so much
attack. It is great entertainment, but don't expect too much authenticity.
Nearly 80 per cent
of the dancers in the companies are ISTD trained in Ballet, Modern, Tap
and National. The National syllabi cover Irish (Advanced 1), Spanish (Advanced
2) and give a thorough grounding and preparation for the 'Spirit of the
Dance' work. The dancers work extremely hard, it is a tough show, but
at every venue they are greeted with tremendous enthusiasm and full houses.
Back
to top
National
News
Teachers
please note that PRIMARY NATIONAL CHARACTER consists
of: Practice sequences in English style, followed by an English Traditional
Dance. The solo is the Danish Gnome or a solo from any European country.
The Group arrangement from an alternate country.
Projects in Medals
Projects are not a requirement for the Medal Tests, only for the Grades,
Folk Dance Studies and all the Major syllabi.
Irish Jig
This solo has now been deleted from the Advanced 1 syllabus.
London HQ Summer
Course
Monday 6th - Friday 10th August
This is a week that will be of value to any teacher wishing to
learn the National work as well as any candidate preparing for
Associate. Click
here for full details.
Bishop Otter
Campus, Chichester
Saturday 18th - Thursday 23rd August
All details and information from Lucy Kerr, Education & Training
Administrator at ISTD HQ. Anyone considering taking an examination
following the course should have their project prepared in advance
and bring it with them. Click
here for full details.
Grandison Clark
- 2001 Dates
4th November - Swindon
11th November - Bedford
*11th November - Lancaster
18th November - Southampton
*The
Northern heat is a new venue at the Nuffield Theatre, Lancaster University
Duets will now be
separate from the Trios & Quartets.
Junior: 7-9 years
Intermediate: 10-13 years
Senior: 14 years and over.
The cost for Groups
has also been revised.
Entry forms and all information from Mrs Beverley McDermott at ISTD HQ.
Back
to top
|
