Worthen Memorial Contest Rules and Entry Form

 ENTRY FORMS AND FEES can be MAILED IN or SUBMITTED ONSITE

Prior to your Division Competition

FIDDLERS’ & JUDGES’ MEETING @ 8:40 AM SATURDAY & SUNDAY

  1. Entry Fees & Registration
    Entry fees and applications are due the day of your division competition by 8:30 AM. The order of division competitions is listed on the Registration Form.
  2. Order of Appearance
    Contestants shall draw numbers for the initial order of appearance in each division entered. The order of play will be posted after registration is complete. Contestants who are not ready when called to play may be disqualified.
  3. Judges’ & Fiddlers’ Meetings
    Contestants are strongly encouraged to attend the fiddlers’ and judges’ meetings. Any rule changes, clarifications, and/or answers to questions will be provided at that time. Failure to attend is not grounds for disputing changes.
  4. Two-Round Age Divisions
    All fiddler age divisions except Small Fry, Junior/Junior, and Novice will play two rounds, each consisting of:
    • One hoedown
    • One waltz
    • One tune of the contestant’s choice (not a waltz or hoedown)
  5. One-Round Divisions
    Small Fry, Junior/Junior, and Novice divisions will play one round consisting of
    • One hoedown
    • One waltz
    • One tune of the contestant’s choice (not a waltz or hoedown)
  6. Novice Division Eligibility
    The Novice division accepts beginning-level fiddlers of any age who have not previously competed in a contest. Participation in the Novice division is in lieu of entering an age group division.
  7. Accompanist Division
    Accompanists will play one round of two tunes (one fast, one slow) in any order, with a four (4) minute time limit. Accompanist competitors must accompany at least once during the contest.
  8. Other Stringed Instruments
    Other stringed instruments (viola, cello, banjo, mandolin, guitar—picking only, dulcimers, etc.) will play one round of two tunes (one fast, one slow) in any order, with a four (4) minute time limit.
  9. Vocal Division
    The Vocal division will perform one tune only. Accepted styles include country, bluegrass, old time, swing, Appalachian, or Celtic. The time limit is three (3) minutes. Performers may have up to three accompanists. The Vocal division will have separate judges.
  10. Twin Fiddle
    Twin Fiddle contestants will play two rounds of two tunes (one fast, one slow) in any order, with a four (4) minute time limit.
  11. Trick & Fancy Division
    Trick and/or Fancy fiddling (cross tuning, hokum bowing, plucking, etc.) is permitted only in the Trick & Fancy division and not in any age or championship divisions. There will be two rounds, with one tune per round, and a four (4) minute time limit.
  12. No Repeated Tunes
    No tune may be played more than once by the same contestant during all divisions of the fiddle contest or band competition, if applicable. Repeating tunes may result in disqualification.
  13. Time Limits & Penalties
    There is a five (5) minute time limit across all fiddler age divisions (other divisions as listed above). A 10-point deduction will be taken from the total score for each 30-second interval over the limit, with no grace period.
  14. No Medleys
    No medleys may be played in any category.
  15. Accompanist Limits & Instruments
    Each contestant may have no more than three accompanists. No amplified or electric instruments are allowed. Accompanists must play an instrument type other than the contestant’s category (for example, a fiddle cannot accompany another fiddle in a fiddle division).
  16. Judging Panel
    There will be three judges, and their decisions will be final.
  17. Judging Criteria
    Contestants will be judged on tone, rhythm, intonation, technique, and old-time style. Score sheets will be available at the conclusion of the contest. Sheet music is not allowed on stage.
  18. Posting of Scores
    Scores will be posted after the first round of play. Grand Champion scores will not be posted.
  19. Tie Breakers
    Division tiebreakers will be played at the end of each division, with one hoedown performed.
  20. Grand Champion Division
    The Grand Champion division will be held on Sunday after all other divisions. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of each fiddler age division are automatically entered at no additional entry fee.
  21. Grand Champion Certification
    The Grand Champion division is certified for the National Old Time Fiddlers Contest in Weiser, Idaho. Contestants will play one round consisting of a hoedown, a waltz, and a tune of their choice (not a waltz or hoedown) with a five (5) minute time limit. Numbers will be drawn immediately prior to competition.
  22. Broken String Policy
    If a string breaks, the fiddler may continue or stop. If the tune is complete, it will be judged as played. If the fiddler stops, the performer may restart and complete the program. The time limit will be adjusted accordingly.
  23. Three-Year Rule
    Any performer winning first place in the same division three consecutive years must sit out one year before competing again in that division, though they may compete in other eligible categories. Contact the contest chair for options.
  24. Dispute Resolution
    Disputes must be submitted to the judges and contest committee at the time of the event. All final decisions rest with the judges and committee.
  25. Judges & Hired Performers
    Any person hired by the contest (including judges and hired accompanists) may not compete.
  26. Rules Questions
    Rule questions may be submitted before or during the Judges’ Meeting and will be addressed as deemed appropriate by the committee.
  27. Sales of Recordings
    Sales of CDs and recordings will be handled by AOTFA. Details and check-in will occur at the event.
  28. Final Note
    Everyone — have a GOOD TIME!

 

RULES FOR JUDGES:

*Scoring will range from 80 to 100, with 90 being the median.  Please initial your score sheets.

*Score on tone, rhythm, intonation, technique and old time style

*Mark off points if contestant loses tune, stops or starts over, or plays the wrong type of tune.

*No talking or discussion of contestants while contest is in progress.

*Do NOT total any scores or mark off for over time. Tabulation and overtime deductions done by office.