A choreographed program and musically interpretive routine of twelve or more athletes all using one baton each to demonstrate baton, body, and group skills of synchronic twirling and interactive elements blended together with both stationary and traveling complex body movements, along with exchanges executed to music of the group’s choosing. Content restrictions on both baton & body skills are required. The emphasis is on total precision and perfection.
Discipline Description
The ARTISTIC GROUP discipline is an ensemble of baton twirling athletes that prioritizes EFFECT and ENTERTAINMENT as the cornerstone for the discipline. The Artistic Group achieves this through the use of effective characterization, interesting staging, creativity, artistic detailing, and a keen sense of musical interpretation, all interlaced to create an entertaining production value.
Discipline Focus
1. Content: Captions
a. General Effect: is worth 40 points. “GE” is how the athletes “bring the show to life.” Important GE components include characterization, visual perfection, surprise and/or clever moments, emotion, musicality and audience reaction/engagement. b. Design/Choreography: is worth 30 points. This is the “blueprint” of the program and relies heavily on the designer’s ability to stage and choreograph for success. The “written” program is assessed via geometric drills/movement/floor coverage and body and baton vocabulary. c. Body: is worth 15 points. This is a quality of the body vocabulary used to enhance the program. The technique development of the body as well as the range and depth of body elements are considered in this caption. d. Baton: is worth 15 points. This is a unique caption for the Artistic Group discipline as it is NOT judged based on content or demand. Here, the baton is assessed as only a complimentary enhancement to the program. Content restrictions limit the use of “tricks”. Creative shapes as a third dimension of the body should be the focus of the baton caption. Timing, consistency, uniformity and overall perfection are paramount.
2. Execution:
The skills presented in the Artistic Group discipline should be seamless in connection, demonstrating perfection and uniformity throughout. The Artistic Group will perform as “one” with the music and be always visually effective.
The program has an emphasis on ENTERTAINMENT and will be accessible and appealing to a vast audience. MANY approaches of entertainment are possible and all are potentially successful. Creativity and originality should be the motivation of the Artistic Group programs.
