2009 Contest Rules

1. A maximum number of contestants have been instituted for each division.

2. The tune order is not specified, but the fiddler must choose their tune order when registering.

3. The rules regarding the waltz and tune of choice categories have been clarified.

4. The Junior-Junior category tune is limited to 2 minutes.

DIVISIONS
A fiddler must enter either the Championship division,
or the division for which he or she qualifies:

Junior Junior (age 12 and younger)
Junior (age 13 to 18)
Intermediate (age 19 to 59)
Champion (open to any age)
Senior (age 60 and older)

Trick & Fancy
(open to all fiddlers in addition to one of the preceding divisions)

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CONTESTANTS IN EACH DIVISION

Junior Junior - 25
Junior - 25
Intermediate - 20
Champion - 15
Senior - 20

Trick & Fancy - 15

TUNES
Except for the Trick & Fancy and the Junior-Junior Divisions, each fiddler will play three tunes within 4 minutes:
-- a waltz
-- a tune of choice
-- and a hoe-down

The tunes may be played in any order, but the order must be specified when registering.

Tunes which do not meet the definitions below, or tunes played in an order different from that specified when registering, will be disqualified and not scored.

Waltz
Any danceable tune in 3/4 time. The tune must have a waltz beat.

Tune of Choice
A tune with a rhythm pulse different from  a waltz or a hoe-down. It may be a jig (6/8, 9/8, 12/8 time) or a slow, syncopated tune in a danceable 2/4 or 4/4 time such as a schottische, clog, strathspey, slow hornpipe, rag or similar tune.  Note: Fast Tunes in 2/4 or 4/4 time such as polkas, two-steps or fast marches and tunes that are 2/4 or 4/4 and not syncopated DO NOT qualify as Tunes of Choice.  These tunes may be played as hoe-downs, if appropriate.

Hoe-Down
Any fast tune in 2/4 or 4/4 time appropriate for square or contra-dancing such as a reel, fast hornpipe, breakdown, or similar tune.

ADDITIONAL RULES

1. The tunes must be from a recognized tradition of dance fiddling such as New England, Down East (Canadian Maritimes), French Canadian, Cape Breton, Southern U.S., British Isles, etc.

2. Trick & Fancy fiddling, such as double shuffle (double bowing), string plucking, excessive improvisation, etc. will be penalized except in the Trick and Fancy Division.

3. Fiddlers may play alone or with up to two accompanists. No electric or amplified instruments are allowed. The fiddler must lead at all times; accompanists may not play melody or close harmony.  There will be a piano accompanist supplied by the contest, but you may use your own if you wish.

4. In case of a tie, there will be a one-tune playoff.  The type of tune will be the player's choice of a waltz, a tune of choice or a hoe-down

5. In case of accident beyond the fiddler's control, such as string breakage, at the judges’ discretion, the tune may be played over.

6. The judges’ decisions are final.

TRICK & FANCY DIVISION
  Other than no electric or amplified instruments other than the stage piano, virtually anything goes. The fiddler will have up to four [4] minutes to play any tune or tunes desired.
Judging will include audience response.

JUDGING CATEGORIES

RHYTHM AND TIMING (25 points)

The ability to set and maintain a steady, danceable tempo appropriate to the tune type and style, with no unevenness, breaks in rhythm, or dropped beats. Extra beats or measures are allowed if part of the tune as traditionally played. Dotted notes or syncopation, when appropriate to the tune, are also allowed. Excessive speed is not encouraged.

TONE AND CLARITY (25 points)

Notes played clearly, on pitch, and with good tone (which does not mean sounding like a concert violinist.)

EXPRESSION (25 points)

The ability to move the listener by the tasteful use of phrasing and dynamics and by putting something of the fiddler's personality into the music.

AUTHENTICITY (25 points)

The ability to play danceable music in a manner appropriate to the style of the music and in good taste. The fiddler should have a basic respect for the structure of the tune, and the tradition and style of the tune’s source. Variation and ornamentation should emphasize the distinctive flavor of the tune, not detract from or obscure it. While there may be no ‘correct’ way to play any given tune, the fiddler’s version should be recognizable and not ‘short cut’ any important elements of the tune.