Figure Marching :
While the marching team executes many intricate floor patterns, deportment and uniformity remain the most important factors.
Free Exercises
: A team of pupils perform a series of strong movements involving high levels of flexibility, control
and uniformity of rhythm. Routines test pupil's stamina, flexibility and timing and have become more challenging and complex
over time. The pupils operate with 'free arms': that is, holding no apparatus.
Rods :
A team of pupils perform similar movements to free exercises, with the added complication of an apparatus in their hands;
that is, a long rod which is manipulated constantly and quickly through the routine.
Club Swinging:
This is probably the hardest routine to perform correctly. Teams are required to swing clubs in unison with perfect rhythm
and uniformity in a planing or circular action. The test has become more challenging over time with pupils often being required
to move through team formations and execute leg movements, as well as perform intricate swings.
Aesthetic
Exercises : A team of eight or more pupils perform graceful movements. Their task is to interpret music with
feeling and softness, as reflected throughout their body and facial expressions.
Rhythmic Dance
: Soft natural dancing is seen in this item. Teams are assessed on their elevation, body line, grace, dance quality, poise
and interpretation of a theme. Due to the strengths and techniques involved in performing these routines, which are based
on balletic movements, it is only performed by older sections.
Song and Dance
: A team of pupils present a routine that combines singing with modern dance jazz steps. Adjudicators place heavy emphasis
on the quality of singing, presentation, style, facial expression and the correctness of dance steps.
Song with Action/Movement :
Team members join together to present a musical item comprising singing, acting and choreographed movement. Young participants
especially enjoy this item.
Folk & Character Dance : National Dances from all over the world are performed and interpreted
theatrically. Pupils are expected to display correct steps in unison, while also conveying national character, agility and
vitality.
Calisthenic Spectacular
: These routines
can combine dancing, singing, gymnastics, balletic movements, comedy and in some cases, many costume changes in the wings,
to make a breathtaking item. These items must comprise fifty percent dance and fifty percent calisthenic movement of physical
value and above all, it should be spectacular and entertaining.
Stage Presentation
and Cali Revue : These items are very similar to a Calisthenic Spectacular but do not have the restriction of fifty percent
dance and fifty percent calisthenic movement as it allows for singing, dancing and acting as well as physical movements.
All three of these items allow coaches great freedom in choreographic creativity. They are often so complex in design
that they can represent mini-productions, equal to professional presentations we see in our commercial theatres. The costumes
used in this item can be very complex yet make the item look spectacular, hence the name!
