What is Graceful Solo?
Graceful solos are often inspired by ballet and contemporary dance. They require elegance, poise, strong dance technique, and interpretation. Graceful solos combine elements of the Aesthetic and Rhythmic items. The season runs from February to May, with competitions during April and May.
To be eligible to perform a graceful, girls must be turning 10 years of age the year they begin or older. Gracefuls are a wonderful item that allows girls to consolidate the skills they learn within a calisthenics team environment and to develop new skills.
Points are awarded for:
- Personal Presentation (10)
- Grace and Poise (20)
- Flexibility (10)
- Expression and Interpretation (10)
- Dance Variety and Technique (10)
- Musical Choice and Choreography (10)
- Execution and Aesthetic Value (30)
- TOTAL (100)
Gracefuls are a wonderful item that allows girls to work one-on-one with a coach to consolidate the skills they learn within a calisthenics team environment and to develop new skills.
Finding a Coach
If your daughter would like to do a graceful solo, parents should take the initiative and approach a coach as soon as possible. If you are unable to fi nd a coach please contact your team manager or Head Coach and they will assist you where possible. Riverton is keen to offer this graceful experience to as many girls as possible. Riverton has many experienced coaches who will ensure your daughter has a positive and rewarding experience.
Coaching Costs
Coaching fees should be discussed with each individual coach. Payment is due to your coach before competitions begin. Fees are on average from $200 for the season and includes up to 14 training sessions of 45 minutes as well as competition days.
CAWA Approximate Costs
- Projector costs from $30
- Registration for Hills Graceful $40 online
- CAWA Graceful Competitions $40 online Late fees of $25 apply
- Riverton Graceful Girls Concert Mid March $20 per girl
Hall Hire
This will be invoiced by our Treasurer. We organise hall hire for all girls, and coaches will advise when your training sessions will be. We operate on a pool system, and all girls, unless otherwise advised by their coach, will be placed into this system.
The hire cost of all halls is divided by the number of girls, and a fee is then established. The final fee is determined by the total hall costs and the number of girls in the pool. To ensure fairness, all girls will receive equal training times.
Costumes
Within our association and club there are plenty of costumes available for hire ranging from $50. If you are interested please ask your coach to send you in the right direction. If you intend on hiring, good costumes go quickly so plan ahead and get in early. Many costumes are also available from families within our club and this can be viewed on our club website. Please also check the WA Calisthenics Costumes for Hire facebook page. Whether hiring or making, your coach should be involved in the process.
Hair and Makeup
Hair is an important part of the overall graceful girl presentation. Wigs are available for hire from the club at a cost of $5, but we prefer girls to have their own, which can be purchased from Curly Sue’s in Morley (ask for the club discount). Club makeup may be used by your coach at a cost of $3 per girl for performance. This will be invoiced by the club. Other things to organise include eyelashes and lipstick, which can be purchased through the club's Merchandise Officer. Hair styling on competition days also comes at a cost and should be discussed with your coach.
Competitions
Competitions for Graceful Solos are held in early April (Hills District Graceful Comp) and May (CAWA State Championships). More exact dates will be available on the Calisthenics WA website closer to the competitions. Girls compete in age groups. A rough guide:
- Riverton Graceful Girl Concert at Swan Park Theatre, end of March
- Hills Graceful about the 1st weekend in April at Swan Park Theatre
- Grading weekend Mid April at Swan Park Theatre
- Finals weekend end of April at Swan Park Theatre
- Graceful Championships beginning of May at Swan Park Theatre
Training Expectations
Graceful solos are a complex item, and girls are expected to put in extra practice at home each week to master the skills within a routine. Coaches often outline specific skills for their girls to focus on each week, making home training sessions more effective. To get the full benefit of a training session, it is recommended that girls arrive 15-30 minutes before their start time to stretch and prepare. Training usually begins in February, with the final competition held in mid-May.
Gracefuls and Cali Skills
Girls who may wish to be considered for selection as a National Graceful Girl performer require a specifi c level of cali skills. If you require more information on this please approach our Calis Skills Coordinator, Liz Davis. Riverton Calisthenics Club encourages all girls to be involved in Graceful Solos.
Graceful Girl Checklist
Parent Responsibilities:
- Coaching payment
- Hall fees
- Costumes (in consultation with coach)
- Encouraging daughter to practice
- Support coach and daughter
- Entry forms
- Volunteer for canteen at CAWA If your daughter is performing a Graceful part of that commitment is to fulfi l a CAWA canteen roster. Calls for volunteers will be called for before performances.
Girls’ Responsibilities
Practise, practise and practise!!
- Enjoy every moment
- Learn lots of new skills
- Make Mum cry Gracefuls are lots of fun so make sure you enjoy the experience and remember to keep the lines of communication open between all parties!
For further details on performing a Graceful Solo, please speak to one of the Riverton Coaches for further information.
