RTN Feis Hosting Rules

General Rules
1.RTN-sponsored events, or events hosted by its members, must be Open Platform, with competitors from any, or no, organization allowed to compete.
2. Each feis must have a medical technician (EMT, nurse, doctor) on hand and a centrally located first aid kit.     
3. Feis hosts must supply their own liability insurance for each RTN-affiliated event.
4. Parents, teachers and spectators will not be allowed to speak to the adjudicators or musicians when the                                 competition is being conducted. No one will be allowed to speak to the adjudicators or musicians when a competitor is performing.
5. Excessive noise must be controlled by stage stewards at all times, particularly when a competition is held indoors.
6. No Feis committee shall accept advertisements that demean any race, creed or culture.

Photography
1. In consideration of safety and in fairness to dancers performing at a Feis, photography of any kind which has the capability of capturing a dancer's image while in motion is strictly forbidden, except when done by a photographer hired by the feis.
2.  A Feis may elect to allow in motion photography for publicity purposes, but the pictures are considered the sole property of the Feis and solely for Feis use only; these are not to be used for personal gain through commercial use or sale, and under no circumstances can they be published on any website other than hosting Feis website, or other areas, without the express written permission of the persons involved.
3. Additionally, a professional photographer may be formally contracted by a Feis to capture non-motion photographs,                such as portrait photography, awards ceremonies, etc., provided it is taken at a vendor station or suitable location:

(a) away from the dancing stages and,

(b) requested by a consenting parent, guardian, or dancer (age 18 & up).

Adjudicators and Musicians
1. Local feis hosts should make every attempt to hire an ADCRG who is a member of RTN for all events. When an RTN ADCRG is not available, feis hosts may hire an ADCRG certified by another Irish Dance organization.
2. All guest adjudicators must be approved by the Board of Directors and RTN's Feis Committee.
3. Feis hosts may only hire musicians with prior experience playing for Irish Dancers and competitions or someone who has completed their mentorship with an established musician.
4. Adjudicators and musicians must be paid prior to the end of the feis, unless they are submitting an expense report. Part-time musicians and adjudicators should be paid on a negotiated basis.
5. Whenever possible, adjudicators should be rotated to avoid having the same competitor appear before the same                     adjudicator multiple times in one competition.
6. Adjudicators and musicians are entitled to at least ten minutes of break time every two hours, upon request.
7. Meal periods are to be as close to regular meal times as conditions will allow. There does not need to be an                           advertised Feis break time for meals. A lunch break must be provided within four hours of the adjudication start time.               Refreshments may be served at the stage during competitions. No alcoholic beverages are while on duty.

Musicians Regulations
1. Feis hosts may hire any musician who has previously played for Irish Dance competitions hosted by or affiliated with other Irish Dance organizations and receives a good recommendation from these competitions and/or organizations.
2. Musicians must follow the same rules as Adjudicators regarding conflict of interest.
3. Musicians must be able to play at least 5 different easily recognizable and danceable tunes in each of these                           categories: Reel, Light Jig, Slip Jig, Horpipe Treble Jig and at least 2 Single Jig tunes.
4. Musicians should refrain from playing tunes that have odd rhythm or key changes and that are not easily danced to                 by younger/less experienced dancers.
5. Must be able to play the proper music for all ceili dances with specific music even if a simple reel or Jig is                               acceptable…such as: Sweets of May, 3 Tunes, High Cauled Cap, St. Patricks Day, Haste to the Wedding, Gates of Derry, Rakes of Mallow, Trip to the Cottage, Humors of Bandon etc…
6. Must be able to play all traditional set dances needed for the event.
7. Must be able to play all dances at appropriate and consistent tempo while dancers are on stage with the use of a                  metronome.
8. New musicians will also be required to do either of the following:
          (a) Train side stage with an experienced feis musician for a minimum of 16 hours (approx. 2 full feiseanna)                                which encompasses playing a variety of tunes (not just playing only light shoe beginners etc). The signature of the experienced musician is required to verify completion of training hours.
           (b) Attend Irish dance classes for an RTN member school with a TCRG and acceptably play for dancers during class for a minimum of 4 class sessions for which varying dances and tempos are danced. The signature of the TCRG is required to verify completion of training hours.

Dance Stage Specifications
1. Dance stages must be plywood or other similar material, unless the stage is a permanent part of of the venue.
2. Stages must be kept free from debris. Where the floor is slippery, it must be covered with vinyl. Vinyl floor may not be placed directly on top of concrete.
3. Outdoor stages must be covered to protect the surface from rain exposure.
4. No substance that can become airborne can be used on a stage/dance floor in an attempt to improve traction.
5. MINIMUM SIZES (stages may be larger)

  •    Championship Stages-- at least 20' deep x 24' wide

  •    Solo & Figure Dancing—at least 16' deep x 20' wide


8 Bar Wait
The hosting school may determine if there will be an 8 bar wait in-between each set of dancers within a competition. This information must be posted on the feis website at least 2 weeks prior to the event. (If nothing is posted, there will not be an 8 bar wait in between dancers). 

Tabulation
1. Score tabulators are to sit away from competitions in progress, and in another room if possible.
2. The feis organizers must provide a minimum of 2 score tabulators and a runner (a person to collect scores at the                     end of the competition and ask adjudicators for clarification if necessary).
             (a) One person will enter the scores into the computer database and the other person will check that the                                    score sheet matches the entered scores.
3. Score runners and tabulators are not allowed to be related to the adjudicators.
4. Parents/guardians may not handle the score sheets of their own children.
5. Score runners & tabulators may change throughout the day, working in shifts
6. Scores from each competition will be submitted to the RTN board for posting to the RTN web site. 

100 Point System
1. The 100 point system must be used whenever there are 3 or more adjudicators judging a competition and with events (multiple dances performed for one award).
2. Scores from each individual round in an event must be converted into the 100 point system. Ex. soft shoe round scores         must all be converted into the 100 point system. Then hard shoe round scores will be converted, followed by the last               round(s). These 100 point scores (not the raw scores) will be used to determine the final ranking of the competitors.
CLICK HERE FOR 100 POINT SYSTEM DOCUMENT

Awards
Awards must be presented in proportion to the number of entries, as follows:

  • 1 competitor                1 award

  •  2 competitors              2 awards

  •  3 competitors              3 awards

  •  4 competitors              4 awards

  •  5 competitors              3 awards

  •  6-10 competitors         3-4 awards

  •  Each additional 5 competitors = 1 more award

  • For over 20 dancers, 25% of the competitors should receive awards.


1. Ties may be broken by means of an official “call-back” upon discretion of the feis hosting school and the adjudicator(s) or          duplicate awards will be given.
2. It is up to the Feis Chairperson's discretion to allocate more awards than suggested.
3. It is the Feis Chairperson's duty to discuss award allotment with the Adjudicators prior to the start of the competitions.        
4. Awards may be medals, trophies, cups, plaques.
5. Participation awards may be given to all competitors at Championship/Qualifying Events and may be given, per the               discretion of the Feis hosts, to Beginner dancers at all non-qualifying feiseanna.
6. Certificates of appreciation, Honorable mentions, ribbons, or other tangible items may be awarded to competitors                     who do not qualify for awards under the above rules and should be clearly marked as such.
7. In addition to prizes awarded for permanent retention by competitors, Feis organizers may also award trophies                         which shall be perpetual and which shall be left in the winner's possession only for a period stipulated by the organizers.          Awards and prizes should be of reasonable quality to preserve the significance of the accomplishment.
8. Awards and prizes must be presented on the day of the competition. Where a prize was available but the competitor did          not pick it up, the Feis is not obligated to send it to them.
                (a) Where an unforeseen circumstance prevented the Feis from fulfilling this commitment, the Feis shall be                                responsible for ensuring that the award is mailed or otherwise given to those competitors who were eligible for, but did not receive, an award.
9. Podiums must not move when dancers are stepping up on them or standing on them. They must be of sound                           construction and of a size that is manageable for all dancers. Podiums are not required for non-Championship events.                   

Results and Awards Presentation
1. The results of solo and figure dance competitions should be posted in a central location as soon as practical after being           reviewed by the tabulating committee for discrepancies.
2. At the discretion of the Feis Committee, certain awards may be presented in formal ceremonies either during or                       immediately after the conclusion of the Feis.
3. In the event a complaint is lodged before the competition is completed, the results should not be posted until the                     complaint is resolved.
4. Should the results be posted before a complaint is lodged and the competitor has received the award, and if the                       complaint is justified, the said competitor must return the award immediately.
5. At the discretion of the local Feis, a copy of the adjudicator marks for any competitions may be available for individual             competitors for a fee.
6. In the case of a competition adjudicated by three or more adjudicators, the organizers must determine the overall results         by implementing the RTN 100 points system. Complete results can be published in the local and Irish newspapers and magazines.
7. Results must be kept on file by the local Feis for a period of one year.

Post Event Reports
1. Any feis issues should be addressed with the Board.
2. Any issues with costuming noted by adjudicators must be passed on to the teachers of those students.