Solo & Duo Competition
Solos and Duos are often inspired by ballet and contemporary dance. They require elegance, poise, strong dance technique, and interpretation. Competitions are held from late October to early November, depending on the age group.
A solo (individual) or duo (two girls) performance is an arrangement to music timed between 2 to 3.5 minutes (depending on age) where the girls display 50% dance and 50% physical movement (free arm). All girls are welcome to perform in a solo and/or duo! Girls compete in age groups on one day, except for if the duo consists of different age groups.
Points are awarded for:
- Free Exercise Technique (20)
- Dance Technique (20)
- Musical Choice (10)
- Choreography Composition(20)
- Executition Interpretation (10)
- Mastery of Execution (20)
- TOTAL(100)
To be eligible to perform a solo or duo, girls must have competed in a team at Riverton for the year and be financial with the club. Solos and duos are wonderful opportunities that allow girls to work one-on-one with a coach, consolidating the skills they learn within a calisthenics team environment while also developing new skills.
Finding a Coach
If your daughter would like to do a solo or duo, parents should take the initiative and approach a coach as soon as possible after the State Championships competition in September. If you are unable to find a coach, please contact your team manager or Head Coach, and they will assist you where possible.
Riverton is keen to offer this 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
- Competition registration: approx. $30
- Coach fee: ranging upwards from $50
- Hall hire: Approx. $150
- Costume hire: $50 - $100
- New costume (optional): $150 - $200
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 $30. 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 solo/duo 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 performances. This will be invoiced by the club.
Other things to organise include eyelashes and lipstick, which can be purchased through the club merchandise officer. Hair styling on competition days also comes at a cost and should be discussed with your coach.
Competitions
Competitions for Solos/Duos are held in late October or early November (depending on the age group). More exact dates will be available on the Calisthenics WA website closer to the competitions. Girls compete in age groups.
All competitions are held at Swan Park Theatre.
Training Expectations
Solos and duos 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 prior to their start time to stretch and prepare. Training will usually commence in September, and the final competition will be in October/November.
Solos, Duos, and Cali Skills
Girls who wish to be considered for selection as a National Solo or Duo performer require a specific level of Cali skills. If you need more information on this, please approach our Cali Skills Coordinator. Riverton Calisthenics Club encourages all girls to be involved in Solos or Duos.
Solo and Duo 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
Solos and Duos 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 information on Solo and Duo performances, please speak with your Riverton Coach.
