Rules and Regulations

Please read the “General information” sheet, the “Specific Rules for Competition Events”, and the entry forms carefully provided in the packet. Please download and print for your review prior to the event. Failure to comply with set rules and regulations may be grounds for disqualification. If you register online, you do not have to fax or email registration forms. The sponsor registering online will verify and certify student information.

1. To verify participants' grade division levels, we require that all K-12 sponsors bring or send current class rosters for the students who will perform. The roster must contain the child's full name; date of birth, grade and parents' name and the school principal must sign it if using paper forms. (See example of roster at bottom of page in downloadable packet).
1. All contestants must participate in their appropriate grade division. For instance, a primary student cannot participate at any level other than primary division.
2. All contestants must be affiliated with and sponsored by a K-12 school.
3. Individual students may participate in one or more events in the same division only.
4. For each event, there can only be one song for each individual or team entry.
2. For each event, there can only be one song for each individual or team entry.
3. We ask that schools do not bring students who are not participating in the festival and persons who are not assisting with your students. There is limited space in the gym.
4. We will not be responsible for people taking pictures and making recordings of your students. We are not liable for your students' personal items. Rock Point Community School is not liable for any negligible injuries or accidents that might occur.
5. Make sure that your students do not introduce themselves or mention where they are from or the school they attend.
6. As your host of the Rock Point Community School Song and Dance Festival, we urge that each sponsor be responsible for the conduct of students. Other performers must not make too much noise, beat on the drum or shake the rattles during the performances. As adult representatives of your school chaperoning the students we ask that you be with your students at all times. The judges should not be distracted during performances.
7. There will be a person stationed by the stage checking for compliance to the rules (i.e. non-sacred paraphernalia, equipment, gear, etc.). This person can recommend disqualification to the judges.
8. Decision(s) of the judges are final.

Specific Rules for Competition Events

Songs

SOLO:

Only one student is allowed for each division. The student sings one song. There can be no recorded music. Adults should not coach or help the student during the performance. The student will use only a wooden or metal drum. Performers cannot introduce themselves, tell jokes, and make speeches. Also no dancing or acting. All songs will be in Navajo, and cannot be Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí or Native American Church ceremonial songs, otherwise the participant will be disqualified. Disqualification will also occur for degrading or obscene songs. Students participate only within their grade division.

DUET:

Only two students are allowed for each division and must sing only one Navajo song singing equally. There can be no recorded music or assistance from the sidelines. The students should accompany themselves with only a wooden or metal drum. Performers cannot introduce themselves, tell jokes, and make speeches. Also no dancing or acting. All songs will be in Navajo, and cannot be Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí or Native American Church ceremonial songs, otherwise the participant will be disqualified. Disqualification will also occur for degrading or obscene songs. Students participate only within their grade division.

GROUP:

Only four to ten students are allowed for each division. The group singers should sing only one song equally with no assistance from the sidelines. The students should accompany themselves with only a wooden or metal drum. Performers cannot introduce themselves, tell jokes, and make speeches. Also no dancing or acting. All songs will be in Navajo, and cannot be Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí or Native American Church ceremonial songs, otherwise the participant will be disqualified. Disqualification will also occur for degrading or obscene songs. Students participate only within their grade division.

Dances

YÉ'II BICHEII:

Dancers should not wear masks, dleesh, or foxtails nor use sacred or traditional gourds. Painted faces and clown (T0 Neinilii) are not allowed, one song is permitted and no assistance from the sidelines. There must either be six or twelve dancers. If there are six dancers, they must all be male. If there are twelve dancers, there must be six of each gender. All must sing and dance equally without recorded music. They must participate only within their grade division.

FIRE DANCES:

There must be only two or four dancers perform only one dance with no more than four singers. A drum should not be used. Dancers should not paint their faces. The singers can use a basket or a rattle, but not sacred or traditional gourds. Only one song will be sung. There can be no recorded music or assistance from the sidelines. All students must participate within their grade division.

NIDÁÁ'DANCES (Nidáá'jí azhish):

These dances include two-step, skip, parallel, and round dance with 8 to 12 students who will perform one dance and one song. The singers and dancers all perform equally. Only a wooden or metal drum will be used. Navajo clay drums and sacred drumsticks are not permitted. All dances should be done in a clockwise fashion. There can be no recorded music. No one should coach or help the students. All students must participate within their grade division.

Song Act

SHOE GAME (Késhjéé'):

Six to ten students. Singers should sing only up to four short Navajo songs and all should sing and perform. The presentation should not be more than five minutes long, or the judges will deduct points. There can be no recorded music. No one should coach or help the students from the sidelines. All students must participate within their grade division.

CORN GRINDING (Ak'áájí):

Six to ten students. Singers should sing only up to four short Navajo songs and all should sing and perform. The presentation should not be more than five minutes long or the judges will deduct points. There can be no recorded music. There must not be any coaching of the students once the performance begins. All students must participate within their grade division.

In all events, students should wear appropriate attire. Points will be deducted at judge's discretion if clothing is not appropriate for such events, and if parts of the outfit falls off.