Rules & Standards for Missouri Fiddle Contests
Note: The following has been adapted from the guidelines published by the Missouri Traditional Fiddle and Dance Network.
Eligible Participants and Divisions
Acoustic violin, viola, cello, and bowed upright bass are permitted to compete. Youth Division: Ages 15 and below. Open Division: All ages. Fiddlers aged 15 and under may compete in the Open Division, with the understanding that they will be held to the same standard as their older competitors. Participation fee for the Youth Division is $10, Open Division is $15. Participants ages 15 and under may compete in both the Youth and Open Divisions, but must perform three entirely different tunes for each, must complete two separate registration forms, and must pay separate fees for each entry. Fees must be paid upon arrival in cash.
Arrival, Check-in, and Warm-up
The contest will take place in the Fiddlers Tent inside the Folk Life Area of the Greentree Festival. Participants must arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the contest to sign in and pay their participation fee. There is no designated "warm up area" available, and participants are responsible for making sure any practicing they do on site is not disruptive to active performances and surrounding festival activities. Before the contest starts, the judges will be pleased to answer your questions.
Order of Play
Order of play is determined by drawing numbers. Once checked in, contestants are expected to stay in the Fiddlers Tent area to avoid any delay in contest proceedings. Contestants not on stage and ready within three minutes of being announced will be disqualified and next fiddler called. The emcee will introduce the fiddlers and accompanists. Fiddlers will announce their tunes.
Rounds and Required Music
Fiddlers will play three tunes across three rounds: a hoedown (reel/breakdown, suitable for square dancing), a waltz, and a tune of choice for a total of three tunes. No tunes are banned, and all styles of old-time fiddle are welcome. For more information on music selection, refer to the "First Timers" section of this website, the link for which is located on the main landing page. Contestants may restart tune in event of a broken string or unavoidable problem. One false start is allowed (a "false start" will be defined as a mistake that prevents a player from continuing that happens within the first 10 seconds of a tune. This could include starting to play the wrong tune, starting in the wrong tempo, or failing to align with the accompanists). No sheet music is allowed in stage area. Participants are not permitted to bring their own amplification of any kind (standing mic will be provided). Each tune may not exceed 3 minutes.
Backup
Participants may choose to perform with or without accompaniment for each round. Up to two accompanists are allowed on stage; fiddlers with more than two will not be scored. Accompanists may not duplicate the melody. Any acoustic instrument suitable for an old-time dance is welcome–for example guitar, mandolin, banjo, reed organ, accordion, or upright bass. Contestant may have a second violin as backup, but the second fiddler must play chords or percussive ("chopping") backup (no melody or twin fiddling). Participants who wish to play with accompaniment, but cannot provide their own, may elect to play with provided on-site accompanists. These musicians are experienced in this role, and prepared to accompany fiddlers without prior rehearsal. Participants must be prepared to tell the accompanists the tempo and key for each of their tunes. Rehearsal with the on-site accompanists is not guaranteed, and may be possible prior to the start of the contest only as time and musician availability allows.
Judging
Judges will score each round independently, and winners will be selected based on an average of the three scores. Performance will be judged using traditional old-time fiddling criteria, including intonation, skill, timing control, rhythm suitability for selected tune, danceability, and overall ability. The performance of accompanists will not be judged, but the contestant's ability to interact with their accompanists may contribute to the score for "overall quality", and the contestants ability to play in time with their accompanists as it relates to maintaining a steady beat will contribute to the "timing" score. For these criteria, no consideration will be given to the participant's choice of accompanists or the availability of prior rehearsal. In the event of a tie, or at the judges’ discretion, callbacks will be held. Judges’ decision is final, and score sheets will not be made available to participants at the conclusion of the contest. Any attempt to influence or harass judges in any way prior to or after the competition by any person will result in the associated participant being disqualified and barred from future participation. Anything not covered in the Rules & Standards will be decided by the judges.
Winners and Prizes
At the conclusion of the competition, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be announced for each division. Monetary prizes will be awarded in cash (fundraising is underway...the amount for each prize will be determined and announced by September 1st!).
Other Notes
Rules & Standards are available to everyone at registration.
Sample score sheets are available.
Contestants are asked to conduct themselves with common courtesy and a spirit of fair play. Contestants exhibiting inappropriate behavior toward the audience, other contestants, officials, or sponsors may be excluded from future Network contests.
Eligible Participants and Divisions
Acoustic violin, viola, cello, and bowed upright bass are permitted to compete. Youth Division: Ages 15 and below. Open Division: All ages. Fiddlers aged 15 and under may compete in the Open Division, with the understanding that they will be held to the same standard as their older competitors. Participation fee for the Youth Division is $10, Open Division is $15. Participants ages 15 and under may compete in both the Youth and Open Divisions, but must perform three entirely different tunes for each, must complete two separate registration forms, and must pay separate fees for each entry. Fees must be paid upon arrival in cash.
Arrival, Check-in, and Warm-up
The contest will take place in the Fiddlers Tent inside the Folk Life Area of the Greentree Festival. Participants must arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the contest to sign in and pay their participation fee. There is no designated "warm up area" available, and participants are responsible for making sure any practicing they do on site is not disruptive to active performances and surrounding festival activities. Before the contest starts, the judges will be pleased to answer your questions.
Order of Play
Order of play is determined by drawing numbers. Once checked in, contestants are expected to stay in the Fiddlers Tent area to avoid any delay in contest proceedings. Contestants not on stage and ready within three minutes of being announced will be disqualified and next fiddler called. The emcee will introduce the fiddlers and accompanists. Fiddlers will announce their tunes.
Rounds and Required Music
Fiddlers will play three tunes across three rounds: a hoedown (reel/breakdown, suitable for square dancing), a waltz, and a tune of choice for a total of three tunes. No tunes are banned, and all styles of old-time fiddle are welcome. For more information on music selection, refer to the "First Timers" section of this website, the link for which is located on the main landing page. Contestants may restart tune in event of a broken string or unavoidable problem. One false start is allowed (a "false start" will be defined as a mistake that prevents a player from continuing that happens within the first 10 seconds of a tune. This could include starting to play the wrong tune, starting in the wrong tempo, or failing to align with the accompanists). No sheet music is allowed in stage area. Participants are not permitted to bring their own amplification of any kind (standing mic will be provided). Each tune may not exceed 3 minutes.
Backup
Participants may choose to perform with or without accompaniment for each round. Up to two accompanists are allowed on stage; fiddlers with more than two will not be scored. Accompanists may not duplicate the melody. Any acoustic instrument suitable for an old-time dance is welcome–for example guitar, mandolin, banjo, reed organ, accordion, or upright bass. Contestant may have a second violin as backup, but the second fiddler must play chords or percussive ("chopping") backup (no melody or twin fiddling). Participants who wish to play with accompaniment, but cannot provide their own, may elect to play with provided on-site accompanists. These musicians are experienced in this role, and prepared to accompany fiddlers without prior rehearsal. Participants must be prepared to tell the accompanists the tempo and key for each of their tunes. Rehearsal with the on-site accompanists is not guaranteed, and may be possible prior to the start of the contest only as time and musician availability allows.
Judging
Judges will score each round independently, and winners will be selected based on an average of the three scores. Performance will be judged using traditional old-time fiddling criteria, including intonation, skill, timing control, rhythm suitability for selected tune, danceability, and overall ability. The performance of accompanists will not be judged, but the contestant's ability to interact with their accompanists may contribute to the score for "overall quality", and the contestants ability to play in time with their accompanists as it relates to maintaining a steady beat will contribute to the "timing" score. For these criteria, no consideration will be given to the participant's choice of accompanists or the availability of prior rehearsal. In the event of a tie, or at the judges’ discretion, callbacks will be held. Judges’ decision is final, and score sheets will not be made available to participants at the conclusion of the contest. Any attempt to influence or harass judges in any way prior to or after the competition by any person will result in the associated participant being disqualified and barred from future participation. Anything not covered in the Rules & Standards will be decided by the judges.
Winners and Prizes
At the conclusion of the competition, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be announced for each division. Monetary prizes will be awarded in cash (fundraising is underway...the amount for each prize will be determined and announced by September 1st!).
Other Notes
Rules & Standards are available to everyone at registration.
Sample score sheets are available.
Contestants are asked to conduct themselves with common courtesy and a spirit of fair play. Contestants exhibiting inappropriate behavior toward the audience, other contestants, officials, or sponsors may be excluded from future Network contests.
