GRADE EXAMINATIONS
with the World Irish Dance Association
updated 1^st January 2013

The grade examination syllabus has been developed by WIDA to assist dancers and teachers to work together towards an achievable goal.   The dancer is individually assessed by the examiner or examiners and receives a written personal report on how he/she performed. The syllabus for each grade is designed to help develop and encourage the dancer in all aspects of solo and ceili dancing along with an awareness for the dance music required and the culture history and language of Ireland.

Grade exams are suitable for all levels of dancer.

A WIDA certificate is presented to all successful candidates.                                                      
On successful completion of Grade 10 the candidate will be presented with his/her      
TMRF WIDA Diploma and                                                                                                                    
on successful completion of Grade 11 the Candidate will be presented with his/her        
TCRG WIDA Diploma

Grade Examinations will be organised by WIDA as required. Grade 1 to Grade 5 examinations can be taken at the rate of two per calendar year and Grade 6 to Grade 9 at the rate of one per calendar year.   Grade 10 and 11 may be attempted at the one examination. The candidate will be prohibited from taking part in competition on successful completion of Grade 11.

Who is Eligible to take WIDA Grade exams

To be a candidate in the examination process Grades 1 to 5 you are not required to be registered with a WIDA dancing school.

From Grade 6 to Grade 11 you will be required to be registered with WIDA or be a member of a WIDA registered dancing school.

Dancers are required to be 7 years or over to commence the grade examination process.

Candidates cannot progress to Grade 10 and 11 examinations until they are 18 years (the requirement being that you need to be 18 years on date of examination).

Application online at www.worldirishdance.com  

Fee Grades 1 to 5 = €25     Grade 6 and 7 = €50       Grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 =   €100

Entering into the WIDA Grade Examination Process enables the candidate to achieve a strong foundation in Irish Dancing and on successful completion of all Grade Examinations will be fully qualified to pursue a career in Irish Dancing.  

WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades

Grade 1

(one examiner)

Required to be 7 years of age on date of examination

Dance:

The candidate will be required to dance the following 2 dances:

1. 1.Beginner Reel (32 bars)
2. 2.Beginner Light Jig (32 bars)

The candidate will be required to dance and name the movements of the following ceili dance:           

1. 1.The Walls of Limerick

 

General:

The candidate will be required to know:

• the name of the capital of Republic of Ireland and   Answer Dublin
• the name of the capital of Northern Ireland AnswerBelfast                      
• count in Irish from one to ten

1. oEnglishIrish
2. oOneaon
3. oTwodó
4. oThreetrí
5. oFourceathaír
6. oFivecúig
7. oSixsé
8. oSevenseacht
9. oEightocht
10. oNinenaoi
11. oTendeich

Grades 1 is awarded on a pass or fail system.

WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades

 

Grade 2

(one examiner)

 

Dance:

The candidate will be required to dance the following 2 dances:

1. 1.Beginner single jig (32 bars).
2. 2.Beginner slip jig (32 bars).

The candidate will be required to dance and name the movements of the following ceili dance:                                           

1. 1.The Rakes of Mallow

General:

The candidate will be required to Know:

• How many counties in the Republic of Ireland?26 counties

(Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo,

Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow)

• Name any six counties?
• How many counties in Northern Ireland? 6 counties

(Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone)

• Name any two counties?
• Name the four provinces in Ireland Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Connaught

The candidate will be required to say the following in Irish:

• HelloDia Dhuit
• Goodbye Slán
• Pleasele do thoil
• Thank youGo raibh maith agat

 

Grade 2 is awarded on a pass or fail system.

WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades

 

Grade 3

(one examiner)

 

Dance:

The candidate will be required to dance the following 3 dances:

1. 1.Beginner Treble Jig (32 bars)
2. 2.Beginner/Traditional Hornpipe (32 bars)
3. 3.St. Patricks Day (Traditional)

The candidate will be required to dance and name the movements of the following ceili dances:

1. 1.Bonfire Dance
2. 2.Harvest Time Jig

General:

The candidate will be required to know the following:

• Who is the patron saint of Ireland?St. Patrick
• Name the female saint who celebrates her feast day on 1^st February?St. Bridget
• What is the emblem of Ireland?The Harp  
• The candidate will be required to know the following words in Irish:

1. oEnglishIrish
2. oWelcomeFáilte

Well Done/ Good                           Go Maith

Music - The candidate will be required to identify the following tunes and timing (verbal test)             DANCE                                                TIMING

• Beginner Reel, 4/4  
• Light Jig, 6/8
• Beginner Slip Jig, 9/8
• Single Jig, 6/8
• Beginner Treble Jig, 6/8
• Traditional Hornpipe, 4/4
• St. Patricks Day. 6/8

Grades 3 is awarded on a pass or fail system.    

WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades

 

Grade 4 Certificate

(one examiner)

 

The candidate will be required to dance the following dances:

• Primary Reel (32 bars)20 marks
• Primary Hornpipe (32 bars) traditional hornpipe is not acceptable20 marks
• The blackbird (Traditional Set)20 marks

 

The candidate will be required to dance and name the movements of the following ceili dances:

• The siege of Carrick17 ½ marks
• The sweets of May17 ½ marks

 

General:

The candidate will be required to know the following in Irish

                English                 Irish

• ReelRíl/Cor1 mark
• Light JigPort Eadrom1 mark
• HornpipeCornphíopa1 mark

 

The candidate will be required to know the following:

Who was the first High King of Ireland?                                               Brian Ború                          1 mark

What was the ancient capital of Ireland called?                                Tara                                      1 mark

Exam marked out of 100   - 70 or over is pass mark.

WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades

Grade 5 Certificate

(one examiner)

 

The candidate will be required to dance the following dances:

• Primary slip jig (32 bars)20 marks
• Primary Treble jig (32bars)20 marks
• Jockey to the Fair (Traditional set dance)20 marks

The candidate must be required to dance and name the movements of the following ceili dances:

• An Rince Mor15 marks
• An Rice Fada15 marks

General:

• The candidate will be required to know the following in Irish:

English                                                Irish

Heavy Jig                                            Port Trom                                                          1 mark

Slip Jig                                                 Port Luascadh                                                  1 mark

Single Jig                                            Port Singil                                                          1 mark

Where in Ireland was the ship, the Titanic built:     Answer   Belfast                      1 mark

               Music – identify the following tunes and timing of each (verbal test)

Dance                                  timing                                                                                

Reel (speed 113)             4/4                                                                                       1 mark

Slip Jig (Speed 113)        9/8                                                                                      1 mark

Jig (Speed 73)                   6/8                                                                                       1 mark

Hornpipe (Speed 113)  4/4                                                                                       1 mark  

1. Blackbird 4/4 1 mark

Jockey to the Fair           6/8                                                                                       1 mark

Exam marked out of 100   - 70 or over is pass mark.

WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades

Grade 6 Certificate

(one examiner)

The candidate will be required to dance the following dances:

• Intermediate Reel (32 bars)15 marks
• Intermediate Hornpipe (32 bars)15 marks
• Job of Journeywork (Traditional Set)15 marks
• One Modern Set – candidates choice from list below:15 marks

1. 1.Miss Browns Fancy,
2. 2.Humours of Bandon,
3. 3.The Wandering Musician
4. 4.The Orange Rogue

The candidate will be required to dance and name the movements of the following ceili dances:

• Siege of Ennis15 marks
• The Bridge of Athlone15 marks

Verbal Music Test:

The candidate will be required to listen to and identify the name and timing of the following tunes :

Set dance	Timing	Mark
Miss Browns Fancy	6/8	1
Humours of Bandon	6/8	1
The Wandering Musician	6/8	1
The Orange Rogue	6/8	1
The Piper through the meadow straying	4/4	1
Youghal Harbour	4/4	1
The Four Masters	4/4	1

General:

• The candidate is required to know the following words in Irish:

1. oEnglishIrish
2. oBeginner Bun ½ mark
3. oPrimary Tus ½ mark
4. oIntermediateMean ½ mark
5. oOpenArd½ mark

• The candidate will be required to know the following:

1. oWho was the first president of rep of Ireland?     Douglas Hyde½ mark
2. oWho was the first female president of Rep of Ireland? Mary Robinson.½ mark

Exam marked out of 100   - 70 or over is pass mark.

WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades

Grade 7 Certificate

(one examiner)

The candidate will be required to dance the following dances:

• Intermediate Slip Jig (32 bars)15 marks
• Intermediate Treble Jig (32 bars)15 marks
• Garden of Daisies (Traditional Set)7.5 marks
• King of the Fairies (Traditional Set)7.5 marks
• One Modern set – candidates choice from list below 15 marks

1. 1.The Garden of Daisies
2. 2.The Hunt
3. 3.The Blue Eyed Rascal
4. 4.Madame Bonaparte

The candidate will be required to dance and name the movements of the following ceili dances:

• Humours of Bandon15 marks
• Haymakers Jig15 marks

Verbal Music Test

The candidate will be required to listen to and identify the name and timing of the following tunes :

Set dance	Timing	Mark
The Storyteller	6/8	1
Hurry the Jug	6/8	1
Rub The Bag	6/8	1
Garden of Daisies	4/4	1
The Hunt	4/4	1
The Blue Eyed Rascal	4/4	1
Madame Bonaparte	4/4	1

General: The candidate will be required to know the following words in Irish:

1. oEnglishIrish
2. oCongratulationsComhcairdeachas½ mark
3. oFriendsCairde½ mark
4. oQuietCúineas½ mark

• The candidate will be required to know the following:
• What is the Irish Parliament called?Dail Eireann½ mark
• Name the building where it meets?Leinster House½ mark
• Where does the northern assembly meet?Stormont½ mark

Exam is marked out of 100 – 70 marks required to achieve a pass

WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades

Grade 8 Certificate                                                                                        (3 examiners)

The candidate will be required to dance the following dances:

• Open Reel (32 bars)15 marks
• Open Hornpipe (32 bars)15 marks
• The white Blanket (Traditional Set)10 marks
• The Three Sea Captains (Traditional Set)10 marks
• One modern Set - Candidates choice from list below:15 marks

1. 1.Blackthorn Stick
2. 2.The Three Sea Captains
3. 3.Planxty Drury
4. 4.Drunken Gauger

The candidate will be required to dance and name the movements of the following ceili dances:

• 8 hand reel10 marks
• Morris Reel10 marks

Verbal Music Test

The candidate will be required to listen to and identify the name and timing of the following tunes :

Set dance	Timing	Mark
Blackthorn Stick	6/8	1
The Sprig of Shellelagh	6/8	1
The Three Sea Captains	6/8	1
Planxty Drury	6/8	1
The Hurling Boys	6/8	1
Drunken Gauger	6/8	1
Job of Journeywork	4/4	1
Planxty Davis	2/4	1
King of the Fairies	2/4	1
The Ace and Deuce of Pipering	4/4	1

General:

The candidate will be required to know the following:                                 Conversation in Irish:

• EnglishIrish
• What is your name?            Cad is ainm duit? 1 mark
• ………….is my name.       …………is ainm dom.               1 mark
• What period of time was the Great Famine in Ireland?1845 to 1852       1 mark
• Who was the leader of the 1916 Easter Rising?Patrick Pearse        1 mark
• Where was the headquarters of the Easter Rising?General Post Office   1mark Exam is marked out of 100 – 70 marks required to achieve a pass                                         WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades

Grade 9 certificate (3 examiners)

The candidate will be required to dance the following dances:

• Open slip Jig (32 bars)15 marks
• Open Treble Jig (32 bars)15 marks
• The Hunt (Traditional Set)15 marks
• One modern set – candidates choice from list below15 marks

1. 1.The Roving Pedlar
2. 2.Kilkenny Races
3. 3.The Lodge Road
4. 4.Bonaparte’s Retreat
5. 5.Downfall of Paris

The candidate will be required to dance and name the movements of the following ceili dances:

• High Cauled Cap10 marks
• The Waves of Tory5 marks
• Haste to the Wedding5 marks

Verbal Music Test

• The candidate will be required to listen to and identify the name and timing of the following tunes :

Set dance	Timing	Mark
The Deep Green Pool	6/8	1
The Fiddler Round the Fairy Tree	6/8	1
Jockey to the Fair	6/8	1
The Roving Pedlar	4/4	1
The Lodge Road	2/4	1
Kilkenny Races	4/4	1
Bonaparte’s Retreat	4/4	1
Downfall of Paris	2/4	1
Rambling Rake	4/4	1
The White Blanket	4/4	1

General:         The candidate will be required to know the following:

TCRG =   Teagascoir Cummann Rince Gaelacha                                                                                                                       (Instructor Association Dance Irish) = literal translation                                                      2 mark

• What is the irish for adjudicator?                                Moltóir2 mark
• What is the irish for teacher?   Múinteoir2 mark  
• What is the meaning of “céilí”A group of people who get together to play music and dance 2 mark
• Where and when was the first “feis” held in Ireland?       Cork/ 1898                  2 mark     Exam is marked out of 100 – 70 marks required to achieve a pass

WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades

 

         TMRF   Certificate

Grade 10                                                                                                                                              (18 years or over to attempt this exam)                                                                                           (3 examiners)

Section A      Teaching

1. a.The candidate will be required to teach part of TWO of the following ceili dances (from Ar Rince Foirne, Irish Ceili Dance Book) which will be selected by theOne ceili dance will be taught from:       outside the team and one as part of the team, the position in the team will be nominated by the examiners.

A candidate may be required to dance the following ceili dances and this will be at the discretion of the examiners.

 

1. 1.Four Hand Reel
2. 2.Antrim Reel
3. 3.Glencar Reel
4. 4.The Three Tunes
5. 5.The Tara Reel
6. 6.St. Patricks Day
7. 7.Trip to the Cottage
8. 8.Duke Reel
9. 9.Fairy Reel
10. 10.Lannigans Ball
11. 11.Cross Reel
12. 12.Gates of Derry
13. 13.Eight Hand Jig
14. 14.Sixteen Hand Reel

 

Section B.

Written

The candidate will be required to sit a written paper on the above named ceili dances  (from the book Ar Rincí Fóirne)

Each Section will be marked out of 100 and a pass mark of 70 is required in both sections to be successful in the examination.

WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades

 

TCRG Certificate

Grade 11

(18 years or over to attempt this exam)

(three examiners)

Section A  

Teaching.

1. a.The candidate will be required to teach a step from two of the following dances:  

Reel/Light Jig/Slip Jig/single Jig

1. b.The candidate will be required to teach a step from the two following dances:

Jig/Hornpipe

Note.     The examiners will decide on the level (beginner, primary, intermediate or open) of the step to be taught

Candidates may be requested to teach a distinctive movement traditional to irish dancing eg. rocks, crosskeys.                                                                                                                         Note ….this will be at the discretion of the examiners

Section B: Written Music Examination

The candidate will be required to listen to and identify twenty tunes, (reels, jigs, slip jig, hornpipe, traditional sets and modern set dances), write the name of the dance and the timing and in the case of traditional and modern set dances, the number of bars in the step and the number of bars in the set.

(The traditional and modern set dance tunes are the tunes named in the previous grades)

Each Section will be marked out of 100 and a pass mark of 70 is required in both sections to be successful in the examination.

WIDA reserves the right to modify exam structures and grades