A choreographed and interpretive program routine using one baton to demonstrate blended baton and body skills that is executed to a standard prescribed musical selection.
Discipline Description
The Artistic Twirl discipline is the interpretive performance of an individual to a standard musical selection encompassing the technical and artistic blending of the baton and the body, prioritizing a choreographed work that could stand alone as musically reflective.
Discipline Focus
1. Content:
The artistic twirl discipline is a body-dominate discipline that has dance/movement choreography as its base. Embedded within the choreography will be representations of the 3 twirl modes to enhance the choreography. In addition, the “travel mode” will be represented and will enhance the use of space and proper staging, therefore giving the performance depth. A broad base of skills of baton and body with respect to the music will be consistently present. Various “styles” of approach are possible with this discipline. The consistency and detailing of the chosen style should be a common “thread” of connection within the choreography.
2. Execution:
The skills presented in the artistic twirl discipline should be seamless in connection and demonstrate a priority of proper body and baton technique. The base of skills within the choreography should be musical. “Token” moves/sections with little to no regard for the music will receive little to no credit. The artistic twirl routine will be choreographically paced with impact moments, highs and lows, contrasts of dynamic performance qualities, and expression that yields an artistic and entertaining program. The athlete and his/her “characterization” via the routine should embody the essence of the musical composition in phrasing, rhythm, and emotion. If a specific style of movement is selected (ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, character, for example), the athlete will adhere to that style throughout the performance. The ultimate artistic twirl performance will create an “aura of performance” that transcends a mere demonstration of varied and blended skills into an entertaining art form.