The Traditional Social Dance Society of Victoria Inc (TSDAV) hold an annual dance composers competition which is judged each year at the National Folk Festival.

Entries are invited for the 2012 competition


There are two judged categories in the competition: -

• General Social Dance (including Children’s Dances)

The winner of the general category will be awarded the Beat Klippel Memorial trophy

• Dance for More Experienced Dancers

The winner of the intermediate category will be awarded the VFMC Perpetual Trophy

Entries to be received by the 17th February 2012 by the TSDAV, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or c/o 62 Wellman St., Box Hill South, VIC 3128. It is really important for all entrants to obtain a copy of the Rules and Conditions of the competition from either the website, the above email address or by phoning George Ansell on 03 9890 5650.


Sponsored by the Victorian Folk Music Club Inc (VFMC)

Traditional Social Dance Association of Victoria

DANCE COMPOSER’S COMPETITION – Information for Entrants

The aim of this competition is to encourage the composition of good new Australian Social Dances.

There are two sections to the competition:

 Section A - Dances suitable for general social dancing including children’s dances

 Section B - Dances suitable for more experienced dancers

The winner of Section A will be awarded the Beat Klippel Memorial Trophy, and the winner of Section B will be awarded the VFMC Perpetual Trophy.

If there are more dances in any section than can be judged in the time allotted, only short-listed dances will be judged at the competition. The short-list will be provided by the TSDAV from accepted entries prior to the competition.

The judging panel will consist of three judges appointed by the TSDAV. All competition dances shall be called by a Dance Caller appointed by the TSDAV. The TSDAV shall also appoint musicians or provide suitable taped music for each dance. The TSDAV will ensure there is one set of impartial dancers for the judging panel to assess the entries. The decision of the judging panel is final.

Conditions of Entry

• Entries shall be a complete written description of the dance in the format below.
• Each entry is to be the recent, original work of the entrant.
• Only one entry per section shall be accepted from any entrant in any one year.
• Music for each entry shall be supplied by one of:

    o A music tape or CD supplied with entry (preferred)

o Sheet music supplied with the entry (in which case music will be selected for the dance by the TSDAV)

• Submission of a dance implies granting permission to the TSDAV, at its own discretion, to publish the dance and any original music for the dance at some future date.

Judging Criteria

• Enjoyment of the dance.
• Cohesion and flow of the dance.
• Suitability of the music for the dance, including:

   o Suitability of the style and speed of the music for the stepping,

o Accuracy and fit of the dance sections to the music sections (bar count, timing, etc.).

• Ability of the ‘average’ dance musician to play music suitable for the dance.
• Relevance as an Australian Social Dance.
• Clarity, accuracy and reliability of the written instructions.
• Originality of innovation of the dance.
• Suitability of the dance to the section for which it is entered.
• Section B only – Maximum time allocated for judging (teaching and dancing) for any one dance will be 20 minutes.

Format of Written Submissions

All entries shall include the following:

• Name of dance, composer and date of composition. Composer’s address, email and phone number.
• Brief background of the dance (if any and/or if relevant).
• Tradition inspiring the dance (e.g. Australian, Colonial, Irish etc.).
• Initial formation.
• Stepping required for the dance, or parts thereof.
• Music: Length in BARS or one repeat of the dance; type of music (Scottish reel, waltz, etc.) and format (e.g. AABB)
• Speed of music (e.g. 46-48 bars per minute), number of repeats (if relevant).
• Instructions are to be clear, complete and unambiguous. Short calls should be underlined if included.
• Bar counts are to be EITHER:

o Number of bars since the start of the dance, in the left hand column (e.g. Scottish Country Dance books),

 or

o Number of bars for each section at the end of that section (e.g. Shirley Andrews’ books).

• Diagrams (if supplied) are to be clearly labeled.

All entries for the 2012 Competition to be received at the following address by 17^th February 2012:

TSDAV

C/- 62 Wellman St, Box Hill South, Victoria 3128

Or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it