Contests and Performances
The Kelly Kadets practice their skills and learn their routines in order to share their sport with their fans. By joining the Kelly Kadets, a twirler is making a commitment to the team to participapte in these events:
Kelly Kadets also bring joy to the community at these events:
Holiday Performances |
Nursing Home Programs
|
As twirlers advance in their involvement, they may also decide to compete at higher levels:
USTA Regionals |
USTA National Championships |
Read below for more details about these events:
OBC Baton Contests
The OBC Board meets in October to set the calendar of contests. The final calendar will be published as soon as the directors have secured the venues.
Kelly Kadets compete at all Oregon competitions. After a few years, some twirlers compete at occasional competitions in Washington, and then the yearly Regionals and Nationals. Competing outside of Oregon is not required; it's totally optional.
Glencoe Twirl Club twirlers perform exhibition team routines at two Oregon events in March and April.
What is a competition? At a baton competition, you will see many kinds of twirling, sometimes happening at the same time. Each team performs its routine during team competitions. Then, individual twirlers perform their solo routines in front of a judge. Though it may seem scary to beginning twirlers to perform in front of judge, each twirler only competes against other twirlers of his or her age and level. Routines are judged according to USTA standards and awards are given to the high scorers at each level (novice, beginning, intermediate, and advanced) and for each age group.
First-year Kellys generally compete individually in basic march, presentation, trick meet, and apparatus. Each year or two, they add another routine, and eventually they are competing in 6 or more events.
Kelly Kadets should arrive at the competitions on time (one hour before the contest starts) and ready to twirl. This means girls' hair should be already fixed in a slicked-back bun, and everyone should be wearing their black practice outfits. When they arrive, twirlers meet with their team and practice together. Twirlers stay with their team until after team competitions are over. They may not leave their team to sit with their parents until dismissed by the coach.
I
t is important that each twirler have a "responsible adult" at the competition. A parent who has another commitment on a competition day may ask another Kelly parent to take on the responsibility of helping the twirler keep track of the events. The coaches are very busy at contests and are not able to do this.
Kelly Kadets compete at all Oregon competitions. After a few years, some twirlers compete at occasional competitions in Washington, and then the yearly Regionals and Nationals. Competing outside of Oregon is not required; it's totally optional.
Glencoe Twirl Club twirlers perform exhibition team routines at two Oregon events in March and April.
What is a competition? At a baton competition, you will see many kinds of twirling, sometimes happening at the same time. Each team performs its routine during team competitions. Then, individual twirlers perform their solo routines in front of a judge. Though it may seem scary to beginning twirlers to perform in front of judge, each twirler only competes against other twirlers of his or her age and level. Routines are judged according to USTA standards and awards are given to the high scorers at each level (novice, beginning, intermediate, and advanced) and for each age group.
First-year Kellys generally compete individually in basic march, presentation, trick meet, and apparatus. Each year or two, they add another routine, and eventually they are competing in 6 or more events.
Kelly Kadets should arrive at the competitions on time (one hour before the contest starts) and ready to twirl. This means girls' hair should be already fixed in a slicked-back bun, and everyone should be wearing their black practice outfits. When they arrive, twirlers meet with their team and practice together. Twirlers stay with their team until after team competitions are over. They may not leave their team to sit with their parents until dismissed by the coach.
I
t is important that each twirler have a "responsible adult" at the competition. A parent who has another commitment on a competition day may ask another Kelly parent to take on the responsibility of helping the twirler keep track of the events. The coaches are very busy at contests and are not able to do this.
What a Kelly Kadet should bring to a competition:
- Your batons! Be sure your name is on them.
- Your "caboodle" (this can be in a plastic bag or any kind of container): your personal supply of bandaids, safety pins, and bobby pins to secure hairpieces. Girls should also bring heavy hair bands, hair nets, comb & brush, hair gel, hair gel, blush, red lipstick.
- Your required beige baton shoes and tights (& maybe an extra pair) for solo events. The team managers will bring the costumes.
- Water, light snacks: Competitions can last several hours. NEVER eat or drink in your Kelly Kadet team or solo costume! When you eat your snack, you should change out of your costume and put on your regular clothes.
- A pillow or cushion to sit on in the bleachers.
- A highlighter pen to mark your name in the program.
- Some money to buy a program (usually $2 or $3). You might also want to buy raffle tickets or snacks. Sometimes vendors are present selling souvenirs, baton accessories (shoes, tights, etc.), and costumes. Check with Shanon before buying any costume to be sure it is appropriate for the event.
Events at a Competition
The events in a competition are divided into different types and different levels. You should keep a record of the dates that you pass each level. Click here to download TwirlingRecord.pdf.
The TEAM performance should not be confused with the INDIVIDUAL events.
The TEAM performance should not be confused with the INDIVIDUAL events.
One-Baton TRICK MEET: In Trick Meet, each twirler meets with a judge and performs 5 twirls. The judge evaluates the twirler's form and posture. If you receive a score of 4.0 or more on each twirl, you will receive a blue ribbon. A blue ribbon signifies that you have passed that level. Even if you have passed a level, you can enter it again. Many twirlers do this until they get straight 5s on all the tricks. You can enter more than one level of trick meet at each competition. Click here for a description of the different levels in Trick Meet. Don't enter a level until the coach confirms that you know the tricks in that level.
Click here for 1-Baton Trick Meet list.
Click here for 1-Baton Trick Meet practice videos.
Juggling and Three-Baton TRICK MEET: Like 1-B Trick Meet above, this event is a series of tricks/twirls. Working through the levels of this event improves the twirler's general handling skills and prepares for twirling 3 batons.
Click here for a description of the Juggling & 3-BatonTrick Meet.
Click here for 1-Baton Trick Meet list.
Click here for 1-Baton Trick Meet practice videos.
Juggling and Three-Baton TRICK MEET: Like 1-B Trick Meet above, this event is a series of tricks/twirls. Working through the levels of this event improves the twirler's general handling skills and prepares for twirling 3 batons.
Click here for a description of the Juggling & 3-BatonTrick Meet.
FOUNDATION EVENTS:
These 3 Foundation Events all use the same music, a short 32-count marching music.
These 3 Foundation Events all use the same music, a short 32-count marching music.
- Basic Strut (or Basic March): Twirlers march in a square.
- Military Strut (or Military): Twirlers march in an "L shape."
- Parade March: This is a marching+twirling routine. It may be done individually or in pairs.
- Presentation: This routine (different music) is a very short routine with many poses to show good posture and grace, but not necessarily many hard tricks.
- Pre-Two Baton: For twirlers who are in their first years of twirling two batons.
- Apparatus: Twirlers may choose from hoops, clubs, flags, or other twirling apparatus to perform a short routine.
SOLO EVENTS
As twirlers progress in their twirling, they learn more routines and perform different styles of twirling with different amounts of dancing mixed in. They can look forward to adding these events:
- Solo
- Artistic Twirl
- Strut
- 2-Baton
- 3-Baton
- Pairs
Holiday Performances and Other Performance Opportunities
Glencoe: Every December, the Kellys present a holiday program at Glencoe Elementary School. This is a chance to show off our new skills as well as to promote the sport of baton.
Senior Centers: Kelly Kadets often perform a holiday program senior centers and nursing homes, and the residents were always so grateful. Our children are so fortunate to be able to participate in so much, and this has been our way to give back to the community and share our happiness.
The Kelly Kadets twirlers and Stites dancers often perform at a variety of events during the holiday season, including Providence Festival of the Trees.
As twirlers advance in their skills, they can look forward to joining the Stites Dancers to perform at pre-game show at the University of Portland or other sports-related events.
Senior Centers: Kelly Kadets often perform a holiday program senior centers and nursing homes, and the residents were always so grateful. Our children are so fortunate to be able to participate in so much, and this has been our way to give back to the community and share our happiness.
The Kelly Kadets twirlers and Stites dancers often perform at a variety of events during the holiday season, including Providence Festival of the Trees.
As twirlers advance in their skills, they can look forward to joining the Stites Dancers to perform at pre-game show at the University of Portland or other sports-related events.
Regionals and Nationals
The United States Twirling Association has regional and national twirling championships in the summer. There are opportunities for beginning as well as elite twirlers to participate in these exciting events. Talk to the coaches to determine whether these events would be appropriate for your twirler.
As soon as Shanon has an idea of who wants to attend Regionals and/or Nationals, they plan or modify team routines that will include everyone.
The costs for the extra practices for Regionals and Nationals are not included in your regular Kelly Kadet dues. Talk to Debbie or Shanon if you are considering participating.
As soon as Shanon has an idea of who wants to attend Regionals and/or Nationals, they plan or modify team routines that will include everyone.
The costs for the extra practices for Regionals and Nationals are not included in your regular Kelly Kadet dues. Talk to Debbie or Shanon if you are considering participating.
The Stites Recital
The Stites recital is on a weekend in mid-June. Performing here is our final chance to show off our skills to our fans.
Junior Rose Parade
We always twirl in the Junior Rose Parade! Follow the link below for more information.