1.   This contest is open to all fiddlers.  Contestants need not belong to the CSOTFA.  (California State Old Time Fiddle Association).

2.   REGISTRATION: Entry Blank information must be completed and the entry fee paid (no fee for Pee Wee).  Fiddlers who registration by mail in advance are asked to check in at the Pre-Registration Table on Contest Day.   Each will be given a Fiddler Number and handed their entry form--where they need to write in the  name of their accompanist and the tunes they will play.

Registration closes for the Pee Wee Division when the first contestant comes on stage (which is usually 9:05 am). For all other divisions, registration closes 30 minutes before the scheduled starting time (See Contest Schedule).

3.   DIVISIONS are: Pee Wee (8 years and under); Junior-Junior (ages 9 through 12); Junior (ages 13 through 17); Senior (60 years and older); Progressive (any age); Old Time division (any age); Waltz Division (any age).  Waltz Division players are determined by a draw of 12 names from the people registered for this division.   Contestants may register for only one division plus the Waltz division, if desired.  Contestants may accompany others without paying an additional fee.

4.   ACCOMPANISTS must register and pay a fee unless they are also competing as a fiddler. Awards are earned by having accompanied the most contestants on stage in competition--as tallied from Contestant Registration forms turned in to the Emcee. (Please also read Rule 9)

5.  COMMERCIAL RECORDING RIGHTS are reserved and become the property of the Cloverdale Historical Society.  Signing the registration form for the contest waives such rights.
 

6.  FIDDLER NUMBERS: The order of appearance on stage (first round only) is determined by consecutive fiddler numbers.  Numbers are issued in the order registration forms are received. Lowest numbers go to fiddlers who pre-register by mail no later than January 21, 2004.

7.  READINESS:   CONTESTANTS WHO ARE NOT READY TO PLAY WHEN CALLED WILL LOSE THEIR TURN AND ARE DISQUALIFIED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE CONTEST, WITH NO REFUND.  Contestants must be available in Fiddle Boss area (in the rear of the Main Hall) 15 minutes before their division begins. Alerts are posted on wall signs in the Fiddle Boss area, so when you first see your number on the wall, it's time to report to the Fiddle Boss. Officials will not search for missing fiddlers.

8.  SECOND ROUNDS: A second round of competition for the top five contestants determines winners of the following divisions: Junior, Old Time, Progressive and Senior.  The Waltz Division has a second round of the top three players in round one.  Scores are cumulative.  If needed, tie- breaker rounds will follow round 2, as announced by the Emcee and posted by the Fiddle Boss.

9.  CONTESTANTS may play without an accompanist, or with not more than two. Accompanists may not play the melody of the tune.

10. Contact microphones and amplified instruments are not permitted.  Sheet music shall not be displayed while contesting. No vocals. This is an instrumental contest only.

11. MISHAPS: If a string breaks, the contestant has the option to continue or to stop at that point.  If the tune is completed, it will be judged as played. If the contestant stops play, he or she will be allowed to begin with that same tune and complete the program. If judges fail to hear a tune or part of a tune, contestant has the option to play the round over, either at that time or at the end of the division.
 

12.  Any contestant or accompanist acting in an unsportsmanlike manner, intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, is not allowed to perform, forfeits the entry fee and prize money and will be escorted from the Contest.

13.  Any protest must be submitted in writing to the Contest Coordinator within one hour of the disputed occurrence.  The Committee will rule on all disputes within 48 hours.

 

14.  All decisions of the Judges and the Contest Committee are final.

 

15: SCORES: Results are posted at the Fiddle Boss station as soon as possible after the judges decide and the scores are properly recorded. Individual score sheet print-outs are available at the Fiddle Boss Station following the Awards Ceremony.

(Revised 10/07/2002)

 

WHAT TO PLAY:

PeeWees (age 8 and under) and Junior-Juniors (ages 9 through 12) play:

        Two tunes in total 3 minutes in this order>:

        first a hoedown, then a waltz.

        That's all.  No second round of competition in these two categories.

 

Juniors (ages 13 through 17) play two rounds:

1st Round: 3 tunes in this order: a hoedown, waltz, then tune-of-choice, all in 4 minutes.  2nd Round: Top 5 players return to play  2 tunes only: first a hoedown, then a waltz in total 3 minutes.

 

Old Time (any age) Two rounds, 3 tunes in this order:

First a waltz, then a hoedown, then a tune-of-choice in total 4 minutes.

       

Progressive and Senior: Two rounds each in these two divisions,

3 tunes in this order>: First a hoedown, then a waltz, then tune-of-choice in total 4 minutes.

       

Waltz:    1st round:   1 waltz, total 2 minutes

2nd round:   Top 3 return to play 1 waltz, total 2 minutes.