Welcome to this year’s Malta Awards 2024.
The Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty are delighted to be holding the Malta Awards on Sunday 1 December 2024.
These prestigious awards were created in 2017 by Catherine Hutchon, former chair of the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty, and a group of Maltese teachers. The aim is to further develop and promote the wonderful Cecchetti work. The first awards took place in 2018 and were dedicated to Tanya Bayona who introduced the Cecchetti Method to Malta and was the owner of the first Cecchetti ballet school on the Island. Encouraged by the success of this event, a second award was introduced in 2019, the Cecchetti Junior Award, which caters for younger dancers. Due to the pandemic an on-line competition ran in 2020/2021 and returned in person in 2022. After an extremely successful awards in 2023 we are delighted to be holding the awards again, and for the first time will be adding a further category 'Lower Junior Award'.
The awards are generously supported by the Cecchetti Society Trust.
For those attending the Awards once places are confirmed - access your downloadable assets here to let your social media followers know that you are performing at the Malta Awards in 2024:
I'm performing at the Malta Awards 2024
We're performing at the Malta Awards 2024
The Cecchetti Lower Junior Award
Rules for entry
Please note this category is now sold out.
Closing Date for applications and submission of solo music: Thursday 14 November
Late Entries will not be accepted.
(Solo music to be uploaded via a dropbox link provided after purchase of an entry).
All ages and attainment are taken as of 1 September 2024
1. Minimum age 8 years and maximum age 10 years by the 1st September 2024.
2. The competitor must have passed with Merit Grade 2/Standard 2, Grade 3/Standard 3 or Grade 4/Standard 4 in the Cecchetti Method (ISTD) but no higher.
3. The competition will be held in the form of a class held at Grade 2 level, which will include simple unset exercises starting from centre practice, as well as a solo. Please refer to the attached document for the notes on the work to be presented on the day.
4. The following certificates will be awarded:
a) Musicality
b) Artistry
c) Joy of Dance
d) Best Port de Bras
e) Best Technique
f) Best Solo Performance
g) Class Award (for diligence and hard work)
5. A competitor who has received a special certificate in The Cecchetti Lower Junior Award may re-enter this category.
Rules common to all Awards
1. Competitors must be receiving training in the Cecchetti Method and may participate subject to the approval of their Cecchetti teacher.
2. Competitors must be residents in Malta/Maltese nationals.
3. Competitors must have studied The Cecchetti Method for a period of one year prior to entering for the Awards.
4. Dress Regulation must be adhered to. Please see separate list for full details.
5. Competitors shall agree to abide by ALL the rules laid down for the Competition and shall accept the Adjudicator’s decision as final.
6. Candidates entering the Awards should have gained the relevant examination with a minimum of Merit. Please be aware this may be checked.
Dress Regulations
Candidates should wear what they usually wear in a ballet dance class.
We kindly request the following not to be worn: skirts, high-necked leotards, shorts, or trousers. Hair must be neatly dressed, away from the face, with no ribbon or flower adornments.
Candidates not adhering to this dress and hair code may be eliminated.
Classwork to be presented
The Cecchetti Lower Junior Award
The Competition will be a class at Grade 2 level starting from Centre Practice which will include simple unset exercises set on the day.
1.Unset port de bras
2.Unset adage
3.Unset pirouettes
4.Unset allegro
5.Solo, under 1 minute, to be set by teacher, can use exam dance
The Cecchetti Junior Award
Rules for entry
Closing Date for applications and submission of solo music: Thursday 14 November
Late Entries will not be accepted.
(Solo music to be uploaded via a dropbox link provided after purchase of an entry).
All ages and attainment are taken as of 1 September 2024
1. Minimum age 11 years and maximum age 12 years by the 1st September 2024.
2. The competitor must have passed with Merit Grade3/Standard 3 or Grade 4/Standard 4 in the Cecchetti Method (ISTD) but no higher.
3. The competition will be held in the form of a class which will include simple unset exercises starting from centre practice, as well as a solo. Please refer to the document for the notes on the work to be presented on the day.
4. The following certificates will be awarded:
a) Musicality
b) Artistry
c) Joy of Dance
d) Best Port de Bras
e) Best Technique
f) Best Solo Performance
g) Class Award (for diligence and hard work)
5. A competitor who has received a special certificate in The Cecchetti Junior Award may re-enter this category.
Rules common to all Awards
1. Competitors must be receiving training in the Cecchetti Method and may participate subject to the approval of their Cecchetti teacher.
2. Competitors must be residents in Malta/Maltese nationals.
3. Competitors must have studied The Cecchetti Method for a period of one year prior to entering for the Awards.
4. Dress Regulation must be adhered to. Please see separate list for full details.
5. Competitors shall agree to abide by ALL the rules laid down for the Competition and shall accept the Adjudicator’s decision as final.
6. Candidates entering the Awards should have gained the relevant examination with a minimum of Merit. Please be aware this may be checked.
Dress Regulations
Candidates should wear what they usually wear in a ballet dance class.
We kindly request the following not to be worn: skirts, high-necked leotards, shorts, or trousers. Hair must be neatly dressed, away from the face, with no ribbon or flower adornments.
Candidates not adhering to this dress and hair code may be eliminated.
Classwork to be presented
The Cecchetti Junior Award
The Competition will be a class starting from Centre Practice which will include simple unset exercises set on the day.
1. Unset port de bras
2. Unset adage
3. Unset pirouettes
4. Unset allegro
5. Solo, under 1 minute, to be set by teacher. Teachers may use an exam dance.
The Cecchetti Middle Award
Rules for entry
Please note this category is now sold out.
Closing Date for applications and submission of solo music: Thursday 14 November
(Please note last few places remaining)
Late Entries will not be accepted.
(Solo music to be uploaded via a dropbox link provided after purchase of an entry).
All ages are taken as of 1 September 2024
1. Minimum age 10 years and maximum age 15 years by the 1st September 2024.
2. The competitor must have passed with Merit Grade 5/Standard 5 or Grade 6/Standard 6 or Intermediate Foundation in the Cecchetti Method (ISTD) but no higher. The work will be judged at Grade 6 Level
3. The competition will be held in the form of a class which will include set and unset exercises starting from centre practice, as well as a solo. Please refer to the document for the notes on the work to be presented on the day.
4. 1st and 2nd Place will be awarded.
5. A competitor who has won The Cecchetti Middle Award may not re-enter this category.
Rules common to all Awards
1. Competitors must be receiving training in the Cecchetti Method and may participate subject to the approval of their Cecchetti teacher.
2. Competitors must be residents in Malta/Maltese nationals.
3. Competitors must have studied The Cecchetti Method for a period of one year prior to entering for the Awards.
4. Dress Regulation must be adhered to. Please see separate list for full details.
5. Competitors shall agree to abide by ALL the rules laid down for the Competition and shall accept the Adjudicator’s decision as final.
6. Candidates entering the Awards should have gained the relevant examination with a minimum of Merit. Please be aware this may be checked.
Dress Regulations
Candidates should wear what they usually wear in a ballet dance class.
We kindly request the following not to be worn: skirts, high-necked leotards, shorts, or trousers. Hair must be neatly dressed, away from the face, with no ribbon or flower adornments.
Candidates not adhering to this dress and hair code may be eliminated.
Classwork to be presented
The Cecchetti Middle Award
The Competition will be a class starting from Centre Practice which will include Grade 6 set exercises and unset exercises at Grade 5 level.
The Grade 6 set exercises are:
1. Set port de bras: (First, Second, Third and Fourth)
2. Grade 6: set attitude Aaage
3. Grade 6: set grand jeté en tournant
Solo - under 1 minute, to be set by teacher (solo not on pointe).
The Tanya Bayona Senior Award
Rules for entry
Closing Date for applications and submission of solo music: Thursday 14 November
Late Entries will not be accepted.
(Solo music to be uploaded via a dropbox link provided after purchase of an entry).
All ages are taken as of 1 September 2024
1. Minimum age 12 years and maximum age 20 years of age by the 1 September 2024.
2. The competitor must have passed with Merit Intermediate or Advanced 1 in the Cecchetti Method (ISTD). The work will be set at ADVANCED 1 LEVEL. The competitor must not have taken their Advanced 2 examination.
3. The competition will be held in the form of a class which will include set and unset exercises starting from centre practice, as well as a solo. Please refer to the notes on the work to be presented on the day.
4.. Prizes will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place, to further their Cecchetti training. The Cecchetti Society Trust will award the following:
Tanya Bayona Award = €1100
Runner Up = €400
5. A competitor who has won this award may not re-enter the competition.
Rules common to the SENIOR Awards
1. Competitors must be receiving training in the Cecchetti Method and may participate subject to the approval of their Cecchetti teacher.
2. Competitors must be residents in Malta/Maltese nationals.
3. Competitors must have studied The Cecchetti Method for a period of one year prior to entering for the Awards.
4. Dress Regulation must be adhered to. Please see separate list for full details.
5. Competitors shall agree to abide by ALL the rules laid down for the Competition and shall accept the Adjudicator’s decision as final.
6. Candidates entering the Awards should have gained the relevant examination with a minimum of Merit. Please be aware this may be checked.
Dress Regulations
Candidates should wear what they usually wear in a ballet dance class.
We kindly request the following not to be worn: skirts, high-necked leotards, shorts, or trousers. Hair must be neatly dressed, away from the face, with no ribbon or flower adornments.
Candidates not adhering to this dress and hair code may be eliminated.
Classwork to be presented
The Tanya Bayona Senior Award
The Competition will be a class starting from Centre Practice which will include set and unset exercises at Advanced 1 Level.
The set exercises are:
1. The Cecchetti second set of ports de bras,
2. Temps du courante/ coupé et fouetté
3. Glissade assemblé, temps levé in arabesque/assemblé temps levé (forwards and backwards)
Pointe work and or virtuosity steps will be held at the end of the class – competitors to choose.
Candidates will then perform a pre-rehearsed solo variation. This can be either from a classical ballet or specifically choreographed and should not exceed 1 minute in length. The option 1 variation may also be danced on pointe (candidate’s choice).
Tickets and T&C's
Tickets
Ticket Opening Date -Tuesday 1 October 2024
Ticket Closing Date - Thursday 14 November 2024
Ticket Entry Fees:
The Cecchetti Lower Junior Award – €30
The Cecchetti Upper Junior Award – €30
The Cecchetti Middle Award - €35
The Tanya Bayona Senior Award – €40
Terms & Conditions
• Anyone competing in this event does so at their own risk. The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing will not accept any responsibility for any injury howsoever caused.
• A media consent form will be circulated to those who have applied to enter. Written consent must be obtained for competitors’ and any additional performers from parents/carers/guardians.
• By entering this competition, you have agreed on the competitor's behalf, if they are selected as a winner or for any commendation, for their name and possibly footage of them dancing, to be published on ISTD marketing / social media channels.
• The ISTD reserve the right to amend any aspect of the competition at any time.
• Upon submission of your application on the competitor’s behalf you are agreeing to the criteria set above.
• For more information on our policies, please see https://www.istd.org/teach/quality-assurance
• No refunds are payable once an entry has been made and payment received.
• The Adjudicators’ decision is final, individual feedback will not be provided.
*The competition relies on a certain number of entries being received. If insufficient entries are received the competition may not be viable and in this case entry fees will be returned. Competitors must be made aware of this by their teacher in advance. If the competition cannot take place teachers will be advised by email.
For more information please contact: ccbmalta@istd.org or cecchetti@istd.org
