FIDDLERS' CONTEST

CONTEST RULES

1.      Contestants are required to play two numbers, one must be a waltz and the other a hoe-down or tune of their choice. 

(Examples are hornpipe, polka, rag, jig, etc.)  All must be danceable tunes.  Contestants should come prepared with

a play-off tune.

2.      Trick or fancy fiddling will disqualify a contestant.  Included are:

  a.     Holding the fiddle in an abnormal position.  (Holding the fiddle under the ribs will not be considered fancy fiddling.)

  b.     Plucking the strings other than normally.  Some tunes do have parts that are abnormally plucked and this is allowed.

  c.     Over-embellishment of a piece.

  d.     Performing tunes such as “Orange Blossom Special”, “Boil the Cabbage Down”, “Black Mountain Rag”.

3.      Contact microphones and amplified instruments are NOT allowed.

4.      Contestant will draw for order of appearance.  Contestant must be ready when called.

5.      Each fiddler will be limited to no more than two accompaniments.  Allowable accompaniments are: key board, guitar,

banjo, mandolin, and bass fiddle.

6.      Only AMATEURS are allowed to participate in the contest!

JUDGING

Judging will be on the basis of intonation, timing, smoothness, and difficulty of piece.  Judges will have experience in contest judging or will have participated in such contests.

DIVISIONS

Junior – Age 14 and underSenior – Age 60 and overOpen Division – All

PRIZES

Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd , and 3rd place in each of the divisions.  (In the case of an unbreakable tie, the prize money for that place will be shared equally). 

QUESTIONS

Please call the Minnesota Pioneer Park Office at 320-274-8489, email us at pioneerp@lakedalelink.net, or visit the web site at www.pioneerpark.org.

For further information contact us at: 320-274-8489, e-mail pioneerp@lakedalelink.net or fax 320-274-9612.