FOTMC CONTEST RULES

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All contestants should read rules carefully

I     REGISTRATION

         Contestants may sign up for any event, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Friday, and ending when that particular contest ends (see schedule of events for approximate times). In lieu of entry fees, contestants will pay regular admission (see admission registration table for daily or weekend fees).

II    JUDGING

A.   Panel

      All contestants will be judged by a panel of three judges, except Old Time Fiddle Finals, Old Time Banjo Finals, String Band, and the Edward Lee Flemming, Jr. Award. These will have all five judges participate on the judging panel.

B.   Appropriateness

      The concept of Old -Time music is not static, so the decisions concerning what is appropriate are ultimately subjective. The evolution of Old-Time music and the folk process in general take place within the boundaries of good taste, that, though difficult to state, are nevertheless familiar to those knowledgeable of the idiom. These rules are intended to provide guidelines for the conduct of the contest. Contestants are urged to exercise their own good taste and intuitive grasp of the spirit of Old-Time music.

C.   Criteria

The judges will award points in the following categories;

(1)  Old Time Authenticity and Suitability including

       choice of tune (10 PTS);  

(2)  Timing & Rhythm, including Danceability where

       appropriate and keeping in-step while dancing (10 PTS);

(3)  Musicianship - INCLUDING Expression, Interpretation, and   

      Intonation (10 PTS).

The Judges’ decisions are final!

III.  GENERAL RULES

A.  No electric instruments, drums, music stands, or recorded music will be permitted in any category, for any reason. Electric pick-ups will not be permitted.

B.  Required Number of Tunes

• Old Time String Band will perform two tunes.

• Old Time Fiddle and Old Time Banjo will perform two tunes per round.

• Contestants in all other instrumental categories will perform two tunes unless the judges request the performance of one additional tune, or the category is limited to one tune.

• Contestants in singing contests will perform one song unless the judges request one additional tune.

• In the Beginning Banjo and Beginning Fiddle categories, contestants may play two tunes.  If, after finishing their first tune, a contestant thinks they have done their best, they can stop without retribution.

C.  Four finalists will be selected in the Old Time Fiddle and Old Time Banjo Elimination categories. The four finalists will then play in the Finalist Contests.

D. Winners will be selected from the first round of competition in all other categories unless a second round is requested by the judges.

E.  Contestants performing in the individual performer categories may perform accompanied or alone. No performer may be accompanied by the same instrument he or she is competing in (e.g., fiddle competitors may not be accompanied by another fiddler), with exception that guitar contestants may be accompanied by a rhythm guitar.

F.  The judges will be located adjacent to the performance area to allow both visual and auditory judging.

G.  Each tune (or song) in a medley counts as an individual tune. Contestants who exceed the prescribed number of tunes for their contest will not be considered in the judging. (See rule III-B for number of tunes allowed in each contest.)

H.  Vocals are allowed in every category. Vocals will be considered accompaniment except in the Old Time String Band and Old Time Singing Contests. You may, for example, enter the autoharp competition and accompany yourself vocally.

I.  Contestants in all categories should avoid tunes that have been “picked to death.” Note that Choice of Tune is part of the judging criteria. Performances of original tunes and songs are acceptable if they are in traditional Old-Time music styles.

J.   To make the contest run smoothly, please do the following: (1) Be ready to go on stage when it is your turn. (2) Announce the name of the tune or song before you begin, (3) Do not give time-consuming introductions or explanations.

K.  Judges will award ribbons of encouragement to young contestants who enter but who do not place in the contest.

L.   A “NO CONTEST” WILL BE DECLARED IN CASES WHERE ONE OR LESS PEOPLE REGISTER IN A CONTEST. THIS MEANS THAT THE CONTEST WILL BE CANCELED DUE TO THE LACK OF ITS CONTESTANTS.

IN THE CASES OF OLD TIME FIDDLE AND OLD TIME BANJO CONTESTS;

      (A)  IF THERE ARE TWO TO FOUR CONTESTANTS ENTERED IN THE

      CONTEST, THERE WILL NOT BE FINAL ELIMINATION ROUNDS.

(B)  HOWEVER, JUDGES MAY RECALL CERTAIN ENTRANTS FOR A THIRD TUNE IF WARRANTED OR,

      (C)  REQUEST THAT THREE TO FOUR TUNES BE PLAYED IN THE FIRST

ROUNDS OF THE OLD TIME BANJO OR OLD TIME FIDDLE CONTESTS WHERE ONLY TWO TO FOUR CONTESTANTS ARE ENTERED.

IV.  SPECIFIC RULES

A.  Old Time Fiddle

     Contestants will be required to perform two tunes each round. A contestant may not repeat a tune that he or she has played in the previous round. The following tunes are not permitted:

Orange Blossom Special, Black Mountain Rag, Listen to the Mockingbird, and other novelty or trick tunes.

Fiddlers are particularly urged to avoid other tunes that have been “picked to death.” A waltz is not required.  Points earned in elimination rounds will not carry over to the finals.

B.  Old Time Banjo                                                                                             Contestants will be required to perform two tunes in each round. A contestant may not repeat a tune he or she has played in the previous round. Banjo contestants are particularly urged to avoid tunes that have been “picked to death.” Points will not carry over to the finals.

C.  Old Time String Band

     Any group of traditional instruments will be permitted, but the band contest is specifically not a bluegrass contest, and bluegrass styled entries will not be accepted. At least one strictly instrumental (non-vocal) number will be required. Both selections can be instrumental if so desired. Each person may enter the band competition with only one band.  

D.  Old Time Singing Group

     Each contestant may enter both categories of Old-Time singing contest (individual and group) but may enter each category only once. Singing maybe done with or without instrumental accompaniment. Instrumental accompaniment should be back-up instrumentation and no instrumental solos or “breaks” should be a part of the performance. Contestants in the individual singing contest cannot be accompanied by other vocalists. The back-up instruments used should not overpower the singing. Singing voices are the most important feature in this category).