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Two New Tune Writing Contests
For some time FOTMC, Inc. has wanted to honor the two men who created the original Florida Old Time Music Championship in the early 1980s. The two musicians love playing new tunes and they enjoy hearing tunes written especially for Old-Time musicians by Old-Time musicians. FOTMC, Inc Board Members and Advisors have discussed and created rules for our two new contests. The "Ernie Williams Original Old-Time Tune Award" and the "Jim Strickland Original Old-Time Waltz" Contests' rules are listed below.
The "Ernie Williams Original Old Time Tune" Contest
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There will be a 1st Place, a 2nd Place, a 3rd Place and a 4th place. The first place ribbon will be the “Ernie Williams Original Old-Time Tune Award.” The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place tunes will receive respective place ribbons.
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Entrants who place in the contest, may be asked to perform their tune between various FOTMC contests.
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The tune should be in 4/4 time and can be in any of the forms (reel, hornpipe, etc.) found in the old-time music style.
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Of course, Crooked tunes are allowed - (a tune having unexpected extra notes).
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There are several old-time music styles one may use to compose their tune (southern, mid-western, eastern coast, etc.), however, Bluegrass, Cajun, and music styles with other distinctive and recognizable qualities will not be acceptable for this Old-Time tune contest.
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Acceptable keys for this contest are: Ionian (major) - C, D, A, G, F, and B-flat; Mixolydian – (F), (C), G, D, A, and E; Dorian – (C), G, D, A, E; Aeolian (minor) – G, D, A, E and Modal tuning (keys that treat one note in the usual scale as a flat or a sharp)
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Tunes must be recorded, and the electronic copies must be sent by email to: fotmc.dsbg@gmail.com by January 31, 2025.
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The winner will be notified by a Board of Director Member or an officer of the Florida Old Time Music Championships, Inc. by March 1, 2025.
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The "Jim Strickland Original Old-Time Waltz" Contest
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There will be a 1st Place, a 2nd Place, a 3rd Place and a 4th place. The first place ribbon will be the “Jim Strickland Original Old-Time Waltz Award.” The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place tunes will receive respective place ribbons.
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The tune should be in 3/4 time and in an old-time music style and must be danceable as a waltz.
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There are several old-time music styles one may use to compose their tune (southern, mid-western, eastern coast, etc.), however, Bluegrass, Cajun, and music styles with other distinctive qualities will not be acceptable for this tune contest.
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Acceptable keys for this contest are: Ionian (major) - C, D, A, G, F, and B-flat; Mixolydian – (F), (C), G, D, A, and E; Dorian – (C), G, D, A, E; Aeolian (minor) – G, D, A, E.
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Tunes must be recorded, and the electronic copies must be sent by email to: fotmc.dsbg@gmail.com by January 31, 2025.
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The winner will be notified by a member of the Board of Directors or and officer of the Florida Old Time Music Championships, Inc. by March 1, 2025.
