Full information on the World Irish Dance Association and their Grade Exams, as well as registration and payment, are found on the WIDA website: https://www.irish.dance/grade-examinations Contact Mrs. McAvoy with any questions about the exams or registration process. Remember to register by May 23rd for the exams, taking place at BSOTD studio on June 23rd! AFTER your register, fill out the Sign Up form to let us know that you are participating.
Grade 1 Solo Steps: Beginner Reel, Beginner Light Jig
Each dancer will perform 32 bars of the Beginner Reel and Beginner Light Jig. The first two videos below demonstrate the Beginner Reel, first slowly from the back then full speed from the front. (NOTE: This is our school's ADVANCED Beginner level reel).
For the Beginner Light Jig, pick TWO full jig steps to perform the right and left foot. You may pick any of our school's 8 jig steps. (Jig steps all start with jump, kick, hop back 2 3 4). Practice performing the two you have chosen on the right and left foot without stopping in between. Remember to bow when you are finished.
Grade 1 Ceili Portion: The Walls of Limerick
All Beginners at Bethlehem Irish Dance have learned and performed this ceili dance! Here is a video of other dancers performing the Walls of Limerick. (Yes, the video says Grade 5, this is a different school, different grade system!) Make sure you know the positions (ALWAYS Gentlemen on the right and ladies on the left) and who goes first and what foot to be on. (For example, note that the ladies cross on the left foot, the gentlemen on the right, always facing the opposite lady or gentleman as they pass). When performing the ceili dance, watch your hand catches and arm position, and make sure to have nice posture and dance up on your toes with nice threes and sevens the whole time.
Grade 1 Oral Exam Portion: Capitals and Counting to 10
For the oral portion of the Grade 1 Exam, each dancer will be individually asked to answer three simple questions, which are listed below along with the answers to study. For the counting in Irish, here is a video to help you as well (or ask an Experienced Beginner, they have learned this already!)
1. Name the capital of the Republic of Ireland: Dublin
2. Name the capital of Northern Ireland: Belfast
3. Count from one to ten in Irish:
a haon (a hayn)
a do (ah doh)
a tri (ah tree)
a ceathair (ah kah-her)
a cuig (ah ku-wig)
a se (ah shay)
a seacht (ah shokht)
a hocht (ah hukht)
a naoi (ah nee)
a deich (ah jeh)
You will NOT be asked to write these, just to recite them. The pronunciation is in parentheses, as well as demonstrated on the video.
Grade 2 Solo Steps: Beginner Single Jig and Beginner Slip Jig
Each dancer will perform 32 bars of the Beginner Single Jig and the Beginner Slip Jig, demonstrated in the videos. Stay up on your toes, point your feet, pull all the way up above the knee in front and kick all the way up in back.
I am narrating each of these videos, but if it's too fast to follow, you can slow them down with the widget in the top right corner.
Grade 2 Ceili Portion: The Fairy Reel
Dancers Intermediate and above should be familiar with this 6 hand Ceili dance, Fairy Reel, HOWEVER, we have never done the full version that you'll be tested on. There are two sections of the dance that most of you never learned. Please see the video and the instructions below, and know that we will practice this together on June 12th.
Setup: 2 ladies on either side of a gentleman in the middle across from the same. Dance proceeds as described below. Please note, "Promenade" means skip 2-3's.
1. Advance and retire twice: Each line takes hands and advances with promenade step toward the other line (2b) and retires back to place (2b). Repeat and on the second retire everyone takes hands to form a circle.
2. Ring right: All sevens to the right finishing with two short threes. Sevens to the left and break back into two lines while dancing two short threes.
3. Advance and retire twice: Each line takes hands and advances with promenade step toward the other line (2b) and retires back to place (2b). Repeat and on the second retire everyone takes hands to form a circle.
4. Ring left: All sevens to the left finishing with two short threes. Sevens to the right and while dancing two short threes the gent should turn to face the partner on his right while the lady on the right turns left to face the gent.
5. Slip sides: Partners facing each other take right hands and sevens to the gents' left, finishing with two short threes. They now sevens to the gents right and during the threes release hands and the gent turns to face the other lady.
This movement is repeated starting with sevens to the gents' right.
6. Gents link arms: Gents promenade toward each other, link right arms and dance clockwise for 4b. Switch arms and dance back, end facing their right-hand partner.
7. Turn the ladies: Gents take right hands with his right partner and dance around her clockwise with promenade step. Give left hands to the lady on the left and promenade around her counter-clockwise. Give right hands to the lady on the right and dance around her clockwise one more time. End back in the center with both lines facing each other.
8. Diamonds and Squares: The ladies dance a square all the way around the set using sevens and threes. Start by changing places with the other lady in the line (lady going to the right goes behind) with sevens and dance two short threes. On the second three the lady turns 90 degrees to face the position they just left. Ladies going right turn to the left, ladies going left turn to the right. The ladies continue dancing sevens and threes, moving all around the set until they are back home.
While the ladies are dancing the square, the gents also sevens and threes except they dance a diamond with the points at the middle position between the ladies. While continuing to face 'forward' the gents sevens to the right while moving slightly forward so they end between the ladies and face to face with the lady from the right-hand end of the opposite line. Dance two short threes turning counter-clockwise to form a new line. Gents continue dancing sevens and threes this way until they reach their home position.
Each line takes hands while dancing the last two threes.
9. Arches: Gents raise right hands and guide the left-hand lady underneath the arch and follow her under while the right-hand lady dances around on the outside. Continue with the gent raising his left hand and guiding the right-hand lady under while the left-hand lady dances around on the outside. Guide the left-hand lady under one more time while the right-hand lady dances in place.
Everyone (including the gent) should be dancing promenade step throughout.
10. Advance, retire and pass through: While holding hands, each line advances and retires, drops hands and advances through the opposite line.
Grade 2 Oral Portion: Facts and Irish Vocabulary
For the oral portion of the Grade 2 Exam, each dancer will be individually asked to answer five simple questions, which are listed below along with the answers to study. For the words in Irish, here is a video to help you as well.
1. Who is the patron saint of Ireland? St. Patrick
2. Name the female saint whose feast day is celebrated on February 1st. St. Brigid
3. What is the official emblem of Ireland? The Harp
Say the following words in Irish:
"Welcome" -- Failte (Fall-cha)
"Well done/good" -- Maith thu (mah hoo)