Interpretive skate?

[singerskates]

Hi, have any of you heard of Skate Canada's INterpretive Free. It's suppose to start off with the INtroductory and go to Bronze, then Silver and finally Gold.

It use to be called Artistic and that only started at the Bronze level.

Anyway, I'm all charged up for it but just what jumps and spins can you do in the intrepretive (artistic)? I like this catagory because now I get to skate to music with words. This opens up the door way open. Currently, I'm searching through my music collection and boy is it big. Good thing I have the summer off.

anyone else planning on competing in both interpretive and freeskating?

[Azlynn]

What I'd like to see is a list of what they would consider acceptable programs and themes... not a huge one, just a few ideas of what they're looking for. At the moment, I just haven't a clue, beyond them mentioning moods rather than acting out a scene like Juliet's death. I think I'd need to see a few competitions before finding something...

I like the idea though, even if it confuses me... is it now similar to what's in the US? As Canada used to have Interpretive which was hearing new music and making it up on the spot, and Artistic was similar to what the new is...

Alright, I'm a lot confused, lol.

[Elsy2]

In the US, (USFSA) the kids still compete an event called Interpretive where they hear the music for the first time, and all skate to the same music for that event. The skater's make up their programs on the spot. They often combine levels so you may have three or more levels of skaters in your event. The kid's also do events called "Showcase", where they can use vocal music. The emphasis is on artistic interpretation and often include comedy and crazy costuming, although some skate elegantly to beautiful music as well. Some clubs allow props on the ice, and some restrict this to props that are held. These events are held at the discretion of the club holding the competition.

In adult competition, what the kid's do as Showcase is called "Interpretive". Adult programs are 1:40 in length, can include vocals, and range from beautiful artistic programs to comedy. They are limited to single jumps, and the emphasis is on the artistic interpretation or interpretation of the theme of the music.

[Lee]

The Interpretive tests are, in many ways, the same as the old Artistic tests, the biggest change being that the focus is not on 'developing a theme' so much as 'interpretation' of the music. This is a big plus for skaters (and by extension, their coaches/choreographers) who formerly had to depend on judges to 'get' the themes of their programs.

Judges will be looking for the use of a variety of skating moves (no higher than singles jumps, SS -- and yes, axels can be used), strong basic skating skills and the ability really 'use' the music in the program.

The SC page has a link that supposedly takes you to the stuff on the new Interpretive stuff, but someone messed up -- it takes you to the technical page. However, if you look at the 'approved Board changes' and keep searching, you'll find a section on the Interpretive tests.

At one point, skaters were to skate their program and the judge would assess what level it belonged at -- Intro, Bronze, Silver or Gold. After receiving feedback during the past year, SC has changed that so there *is* progression through the tests.

Brat daughter is looking forward to competing interpretive (already has the Gold Artistic test) and has been skulking out music in anticipation. I think the Interpretives are going to be very interesting -- for everyone!

[Tania]

Hi Lee,

Long time no see...

I'm glad to hear that SC revised the rules for the Interpretive tests. The kids the judges liked would have gotten gold right off the bat. I've seen some poor gold tests pass for that reason...

Did they also change the three judge panel to a one judge panel as was proposed? As of when? I have mixed feelings about this idea because on my daughter's last Artistic test, one judge said "not sure if theme developped" while another said "theme well-developped, costume really works" ... go figure...good thing there were three judges... :roll:

Tania

[Lee]

Yes, Tania -- single panels for both Interpretive and Diamond dance tests. In many areas, the single panel for the Interpretives is just formalizing what was already happening. There are so few judges who can come to the rural/remote areas that we pretty much had blanket permission to have single panels for those tests. At least now we don't have to fret about finding one of the few who was 'qualified' to single-panel those tests.

As for your concerns re: getting the theme, that's no longer going to be an issue. The criteria for evaluating the Interpretive tests is considerably more objective than the previous criteria for the Artistic tests.

Hey, btw...were you in Windsor for the AGM?

[Tania]

No, I wasn't. Were you?

Had I been planning to go, I would have checked to see if you were going so we could meet up. But lately my interest in figure skating has diminished so I didn't go...


Are the changes effective this July?

Tania

[singerskates]

I live in Windsor Lee and I couldn't go because of time restaints. I was busy with my youth groups that weekend. And get this, I was only 6 blocks from them at the Windsor Arena for youth concerts. So... It goes to show, that you can't be in all places at the same time even if you live in the right city.

Glad to hear that I don't have to bother so much with a costume but actually get to play with the music while skating. I really like to just turn on the radio and skate to whatever is on. Being a singer/musician/songwriter this catagory should be pretty easy for me and also a blast! Can't wait. Still going through tons of CDs to find the right song.

Brigitte a.k.a. singerskates

[melanieuk]

I still can't get myself to compete! :oops:
Testing is my limit! :wink:

[princessthumby]

I'm a competitive interpretative skater. I recently won a competition at the Introductory level. (I focus mostly on Freeskate, however).

I skate to Shirley Temple. After reading these changes, I'm worried that it won't be a good idea to skate to this music. Anyone have an opinion on it?

I skate to the music "Poor Little Rich Girl" (Oh My Goodness), and am basically a spoiled brat on ice. LOL!!! Anyways, I'm a fairly strong skater, I have get edges and stuff, but I focus more on the theme.

Should I change it and go for something slow and "pretty" or stay with Shirley Temple?

Kortney :oops:

[rinsk]

From my understanding, interpretives can still focus around a theme but it's not required.

Your program sounds cute. If you want it to interpret the music more, maybe changes can be made to it. It's fun to see different styles of artistic/interpetive programs. I hope this doesn't turn the event into a soft/slow music only event (says she who's last 4 artistics have been soft and slow...).

If you like the program and it suits you, stick with it. There are 4 interpretive levels, you'll always have another chance later on to do soft/slow or whatever else you'd like.

[singerskates]

Well, I'm still not with a interpretive FS music choice, but I do have ideas.
Idea list.

Chrystal Lewis' Come Together
Shania Twain's That Don't Impress Me Much
Alanis Morrisette's Head Over Feet
Michelle Branch's Everywhere
Edwin McCain's I Could Not Ask For More


But I still am looking.

I have already worked on the music for these songs but I'm still undecided. I'm looking for something current with great background music that plays with the singers voice and the instrumental.

Brigittte or just SS

[Lee]

[quote:d32c4c2bea="princessthumby"]I skate to the music "Poor Little Rich Girl" (Oh My Goodness), and am basically a spoiled brat on ice. LOL!!! Anyways, I'm a fairly strong skater, I have get edges and stuff, but I focus more on the theme.

Should I change it and go for something slow and "pretty" or stay with Shirley Temple?[/quote:d32c4c2bea]

The big thing you're going to want to ensure is that it's your [i:d32c4c2bea]skating[/i:d32c4c2bea] that's telling the story, not your [i:d32c4c2bea]acting[/i:d32c4c2bea] ability. One of the main objectives in the changes from artistic to interpretive is to get coaches and skaters away from doing programs that rely heavily on 'hamming it up' in front of the judges.

The link for the Interpretive criteria on the SC site is now working -- click on the [i:d32c4c2bea]What's New?[/i:d32c4c2bea] link on the first (English) page, and then click on the [i:d32c4c2bea]Interpretive[/i:d32c4c2bea] link from there.

Good luck!