Notes on choosing contest music


As contest and spring show seasons approach, solos and ensembles become a major focus for drill team members. I know the stresses of dancing a solo well. Anyone who has performed a solo or ensemble for a competition or show can tell you that there is more than just dancing involved. Preparing such a routine is almost like producing your OWN show. I have performed two solos at competitions; last year I made solo finalist at both a Starmakers and an American Dance/Drill Team School contest. I am not stating this in an attempt to brag. I merely want to establish credibility so my following advice will not seem unfounded.

Preparing a solo or ensemble has three main steps (besides PRACTICING, of course):

  • Choosing and editing (if necessary) the music
  • Choreographing the dance
  • Deciding on and obtaining a costume

For each of the next three weeks, I'll be taking one of these topics, discussing it, and giving some advice as to how to make this area of your routine the best it can be.

First, there's the music. Few danceable songs come ready-made for drill team use. Most must be cut, faded, spliced, mixed, or even censored before they meet your needs and contest requirements. Most competitions set solo times around two (2) minutes and ensembles and teams around three (3) minutes.

Check the yellow pages of your phone book for professional music editors. If you are looking to save yourself time and hassle, or want some elaborate fading and/or mixing done (and if you have the money to do so), this is the way to go. Ask your director for recommendations.

If you are unable to locate what you need, many music editors also sponsor major Dance USA also features Music, sound editing directory on their site.

Also, ask around your team. There may be someone who has a computer program that will do the trick, or who just has a knack for manually cutting music. Work out a deal with this person - say, a master tape in exchange for help with switch leaps or copies of some awesome football game pictures you took. Even if they can't get your music exactly the way you want it to sound, you can at least have a practice tape to give your choreographer or to use while you're waiting for the professional copy to be finished.

The copyright of the article Notes on choosing contest music in Dance/Drill Team is owned by Kathryn Morton. Permission to republish Notes on choosing contest music in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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