Mattoon Middle School Purrfections Dance Team Tryouts Clinics: Monday (4/4)- 4:00-6:00 Tuesday (4/5)- 5:30-7:30 Wednesday (4/6)- 5:30-7:00 Thursday (4/7)- 6:00-7:30 Tryouts: Friday, April 8 th at 4:30 WHAT TO EXPECT: You will learn two short routines that incorporate jazz, pom, and lyrical technique. The head coach will teach both routines. Several technical elements will also be evaluated, including but not limited to kicks, leaps, flexibility, and turn combinations. Candidates will try out in small groups and will be evaluated by a panel of judges. There is no preset number of dancers selected for the team. The team will be chosen based on the break in scores. The head coach has the final decision regarding the team, and these decisions are FINAL. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS PACKET: You are responsible for filling out the information sheet and returning it to the office of your school by Wednesday, March 23 rd. There are also 4 teacher evaluation forms make sure you give your teachers enough time to fill them out and turn them in. A coach or a PE teacher must fill one of these out. MUSIC: If you would like a copy of the music used for tryouts, please bring a blank CD with your name on it to the first day of try outs and the CD can be burned for you and returned on Tuesday. Alternatively, the music can be emailed to you following the first day of tryouts. CLINIC ATTENDANCE: Attendance during tryout week is MANDATORY, unless it has been excused by the head coach. You MUST notify the coach if you will be gone do not have a friend pass along the message for you. The coach can be contacted by phone or email. If you must miss a day of clinics, it is your responsibility to learn what was taught while you were gone. If you participate in a spring sport, that should be your first priority. WHAT TO WEAR: Please wear non-restrictive and non-revealing clothing that allows you to learn and dance comfortably. Tennis shoes or dance shoes are required no socks or bare feet. Hair must be pulled back and out of your face at all times, and all jewelry (including earrings) needs to be removed. ELIGIBILITY: All students who will be attending Mattoon Middle School during the 2016-2017 school year are eligible to try out for the team. JUDGING CRITERIA: The following areas will be considered during judging: 1. Appearance: Neatly and appropriately dressed, including hair 2. Projection: Eye contact, body language, and smile 3. Dance Ability and Rhythm: Able to complete steps, in control, on beat 4. Knowledge of Routine: Confidence and memory 5. Precision and Form: Sharp movements, full extensions, correct technique
ABOUT THE TEAM: The Purrfections Dance Team performs at all boys and girls home basketball games throughout the year, as well as a few special performances. The team attends several IDTA competitions, which are held in January and February. ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS: Participation during summer practices and camp is not mandatory, but is HIGHLY encouraged. Dance camp will be June 21-24. We will also be attending the Push the Limit Dance Intensive in Springfield, Illinois on July 27-28. If a dancer does not attend the majority of summer practices, they can still attend camp but will not be eligible to perform the exhibition routine at camp or anytime it is performed throughout the rest of the season. During the school year, practice will be 3-5 times a week and will be structured around the basketball schedule. Because I am still in college, practice times depend heavily on my class schedule. I will do my best to have them right after school, but keep in mind the practice schedule may change in order to ensure gym availability, especially during competition season. During the year, monthly calendars will be given out with performance and practice dates and times. FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS: The Purrfections Dance Team is self-supporting, so new members should expect an initial expenditure of approximately $300 for basic items that will be used throughout the season. Returning members of the team can expect to reuse most items. Camp will be approximately $309, and Push the Limit will be at least $159 per person. Costs throughout the year will include costumes and team gear (t-shirts, hoodies, etc.). No candidate will turned away due to financial constraints. Please contact the coach if this is a concern. PARENT/TEAM MEETING: It is mandatory that all dancers selected for the team attend this meeting. It is also HIGHLY recommended that at least one parent/guardian attend this meeting. This meeting will be held on April 14 th at 6:00 at MMS. Being selected as a Purrfections Team Member is a privilege that only a few people experience. There are many who would like to be selected and who are willing to give the time and effort necessary. Responsibility to the squad and its members will be of the highest priority. I am more than willing to answer any questions you may have about the team or the tryout process. I can be reached more easily through email (mikaylagrant18@gmail.com), but you can also reach me on my cell (217-460-0742). Good luck, and thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Mattoon Middle School Purrfections Dance Team! Sincerely, Mikayla Grant Purrfections Head Coach
Extra Information about Tryouts: 1. You will be placed in groups of two or three to tryout. This will be a random assignment. 2. You must have your hair up out of your face; ponytails and buns are preferred. 3. You MUST wear appropriate dance shoes or tennis shoes. 4. Be on time. If you are late to clinics without first notifying the coach with a valid excuse, it will be frowned upon. If you miss your scheduled tryout time, you will be taken off the list. 5. ALL jewelry must be removed, including earrings. 6. No gum! 7. Wear form-fitting dance attire. 8. Please do not wear strappy tanks, baggy t-shirts, sweatpants, rolled pants, pants that are too long, or hoodies. 9. Please bring water with you to clinics.
MMS PURRFECTIONS PERSONAL INFORMATION CARD Please complete, print carefully, and return to the main office of your school by WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23TH. Name: Grade Entering: Address: Home Phone: Dancer s Cell: Mother s Name: Mother s Phone: Father s Name: Father s Phone: Email Address (Dancer): Email Address (Parent): Birthday: Other Activities at MMS/Elementary School: Previous Dance Experience: Previous Performance Experience: What can you bring to the team that sets you apart from others? List the names of 4 teachers that you have had during the 2015-2016 school year and the class they teach these are who you gave your evaluation forms to. Teacher Class 1. 2. 3. 4.
PURRFECTIONS DANCE TEAM TRYOUTS Teacher Evaluation APPLICANT S NAME: TEACHER S NAME: ** PLEASE RATE EACH APPLICANT ON A SCALE OF 0-5 5= EXCELLENT 4= VERY GOOD 3= GOOD 2= FAIR 1= BELOW AVERAGE BARELY MINIMAL 0= DO NOT RECOMMEND 1. Positive Attitude = 2. Attendance / Tardies = 3. Respect of peers = 4. Accepts constructive criticism = 5. Works well in groups = 6. As a representative of our school = 7. Organizational skills = 8. Communication skills = 9. Work ethic = 10. Physical Fitness/Appearance = TEACHERS Do not total scores Do you have any concerns or comments about this student? Elementary Schools Please turn this form into the main office by Wednesday, March 23th. MMS Please turn this form to the main office by Wednesday, March 23th.
PURRFECTIONS DANCE TEAM TRYOUTS Teacher Evaluation APPLICANT S NAME: TEACHER S NAME: ** PLEASE RATE EACH APPLICANT ON A SCALE OF 0-5 5= EXCELLENT 4= VERY GOOD 3= GOOD 2= FAIR 1= BELOW AVERAGE BARELY MINIMAL 0= DO NOT RECOMMEND 1. Positive Attitude = 2. Attendance / Tardies = 3. Respect of peers = 4. Accepts constructive criticism = 5. Works well in groups = 6. As a representative of our school = 7. Organizational skills = 8. Communication skills = 9. Work ethic = 10. Physical Fitness/Appearance = TEACHERS Do not total scores Do you have any concerns or comments about this student? Elementary Schools Please turn this form into the main office by Wednesday, March 23rd. MMS Please turn this form to the main office by Wednesday, March 23rd.
PURRFECTIONS DANCE TEAM TRYOUTS Teacher Evaluation APPLICANT S NAME: TEACHER S NAME: ** PLEASE RATE EACH APPLICANT ON A SCALE OF 0-5 5= EXCELLENT 4= VERY GOOD 3= GOOD 2= FAIR 1= BELOW AVERAGE BARELY MINIMAL 0= DO NOT RECOMMEND 1. Positive Attitude = 2. Attendance / Tardies = 3. Respect of peers = 4. Accepts constructive criticism = 5. Works well in groups = 6. As a representative of our school = 7. Organizational skills = 8. Communication skills = 9. Work ethic = 10. Physical Fitness/Appearance = TEACHERS Do not total scores Do you have any concerns or comments about this student? Elementary Schools Please turn this form into the main office by Wednesday, March 23rd. MMS Please turn this form to the main office by Wednesday, March 23rd.
PURRFECTIONS DANCE TEAM TRYOUTS Teacher Evaluation APPLICANT S NAME: TEACHER S NAME: ** PLEASE RATE EACH APPLICANT ON A SCALE OF 0-5 5= EXCELLENT 4= VERY GOOD 3= GOOD 2= FAIR 1= BELOW AVERAGE BARELY MINIMAL 0= DO NOT RECOMMEND 1. Positive Attitude = 2. Attendance / Tardies = 3. Respect of peers = 4. Accepts constructive criticism = 5. Works well in groups = 6. As a representative of our school = 7. Organizational skills = 8. Communication skills = 9. Work ethic = 10. Physical Fitness/Appearance = TEACHERS Do not total scores Do you have any concerns or comments about this student? Elementary Schools Please turn this form into the main office by Wednesday, March 23rd. MMS Please turn this form to the main office by Wednesday, March 23rd.