Rulebook Update: Advance by rank as well as score
There are now two ways to advance in Digital Feis: by score and by ranking. We recommend but do not require a dancer to advance by score. Advancement by ranking is based on a balance of the requirements from research into all open platform organizations.
Using scores for advancement
An important aspect of Digital Feis is our emphasis on raw adjudication scores and comments, not just Irish points, for advancement. Dancers earn scores out of 100; these scores are used to advance levels. Dancers are first assessed in Knowledge, Timing, Lower Body Technique, Upper Body Technique, and Presentation, and are given a score out of 20 in each category.
- 18–20, Outstanding. I have mastered this category, for this dance, at this level.
- 15–17, Strong Area. I am accomplished at this; it is one of my strengths.
- 12–14, Satisfactory. I am doing a good job of learning this, and will keep improving.
- 7–11, Weak Area. I am having trouble with this right now, but I am looking forward to getting better.
- 0–6, Incomplete or inappropriate. Used when a dancer is dancing unsafely, when a dance is not the required length, or the dancer has insisted on competing in an inappropriate level after being warned.
Using ranking for advancement
- First Place: Beginner, Primary, and Novice dancers must have 7 dancers in a competition to advance with a first place.
- Second Place: Beginner, Primary, and Novice dancers must have 10 dancers in a competition to advance with a second place.
- Third Place: Beginner, Primary, and Novice dancers must have 15 dancers in a competition to advance with a third place.
- Prizewinner dancers must earn a first place in the following dances in order to advance to Champion, which must have at least 7 dancers in them: two soft shoe dances of contrasting rhythms, two hardshoe dances, and one traditional set.
Teachers and dancers may choose to advance a dancer in the way that most benefits the dancer’s progress and education. We hope this helps our dancers advance in the way they need.
For more Digital Feis rules, see our Rulebook.