Washington Open Fiddle Contest
General Contest Rules
2002
Adapted from the Rules published by the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest®
as Amended in 2002
1 The fiddle contest committee officials will randomly select the initial order of play for the first preliminary round. Contest officials, in all future rounds, will draw before each round for new order of play. Order of play announcements will be made and posted as soon as possible. Contestants must be ready to play when called. Any contestant who harasses or threatens a judge will be automatically eliminated for the current Contest and next year’s Contest.
2 Contestants may play without accompanist or with not more than three.
3 If a string breaks, the FIDDLER will have the option to continue or stop at that point. If the tune is completed it will be judged as played. If the fiddler stops play he/she will be allowed to begin with that tune and complete his/her program.
4 Contestant at each appearance must first play a hoedown; second, a waltz; and third, a fiddle tune of their choice other than a hoedown or waltz. No tune shall be played more than once during all appearances of a contestant. Four minute playing time will be strictly adhered to. Third, fourth and fifth round competitors will be allowed to play up to five minutes. Ten points will be deducted from total score for each 30 second interval or portion thereof for play exceeding the four or five minute limit as applicable.
5 Any tunes played in old-time fiddle fashion are acceptable.
6 Contact microphones and amplified instruments will not be permitted on stage.
7 No sheet music or tablature shall be displayed on stage.
8 No trick or fancy fiddling shall be allowed during the contesting appearances. Cross-tuned tunes are not allowed.
9 Judging will be scored for old-time fiddling ability, danceability, rhythm or timing, and tone quality. Each tune will be scored a maximum of 100 points. Scores will be accumulative. Points will be deducted for any violation of the above rules, Numbers 4 through 8 inclusive.
10 In case of a tie, those involved will play one additional tune.
11 Any contestant winning three consecutive years in the Championship Division must either judge next year’s Contest or sit out the next year’s Contest.
12 Any contestant winning three consecutive years in the Senior-Senior, Senior, Adult, Young Adult, and Junior divisions must either judge next year’s Contest, or sit out the next year’s Contest, or compete in the Championship Division of the next year’s Contest. Any Junior-Junior winning three consecutive times will automatically move into the Junior Division. Any Small Fry winning three consecutive times will automatically move into the Junior-Junior Division.
13 Any contestant winning a trophy or money must appear on stage to receive their awards or this trophy and money will be forfeited.
14 Any protest must be submitted in writing to the Contest Chairman, and signed by not less than three contestants of the Contest involved within three hours of protest occurrence.
15 All decisions of the Judges and the Contest Committee will be final.
16 Money will be refunded to anyone who paid an entry fee and cannot attend, if they inform the Contest Chairman of withdrawal prior to the Contest’s beginning. All refunds will be issued by check.
17 Each contestant and accompanist will be entitled to one guest badge.
18 Contestants must SIGN-IN 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THEIR CONTEST. Sign-in means entry form has been signed and dated, packet and badges have been picked up. Emergency situations will be considered on an individual basis by the Contest Chairman.
19 Accompanists wishing an accompanists badge must register on site. Any accompanist registered and not accompanying a Contest fiddler on stage will not be allowed to register as an accompanist at the contest in the future.
This is not a Weiser Certified Division - However, it is judged and prizes awarded
1. This category is open to all ages.
2. Contestants may enter this category as well as a regular category of their choice.
3. No contestant may enter more than once.
4. TUNES: Contestants will play a WALTZ and a TUNE OF CHOICE, other than a waltz.
5. TIME: A maximum time of three {3} minutes will be allowed for the two {2} tunes.
6. If there is a tie, contestants will play a TUNE OF CHOICE, other than a waltz.
7. No tune may be repeated in the event of a tie playoff.
8. ACCOMPANISTS: No more than two {2} accompanists may be used.
9. Contestants will be judged on harmonizing ability. Selections should be clear, precise and in tune.