FLORIDA OLD TIME MUSIC CHAMPIONSHIP
CONTEST RULES
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I REGISTRATION

Contestants may sign up for any event, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Friday, and ending when that particular contest ends (see schedule of events for approximate times). In lieu of entry fees, contestants will pay regular admission.

II JUDGING
A. Panel

All contestants will be judged by a panel of three judges, except Senior Fiddle, Banjo, and Band categories, and the Flemming Award, Banjo and Band will be judged by the Guest(s) of Honor, as well as the panel.

B. Appropriateness
The concept of old time music is not static, decisions concerning what is appropriate are ultimately subjective. The evolution of old time music and the folk process in general take place within the boundaries of good taste, though difficult to state, are nevertheless familiar to those knowledgeable of the idiom. These rules are intended to provide guidelines for the conduct of the contest. Contestants are urged to exercise their own good taste and intuitive grasp of the spirit of old time music.

C. Criteria
The judges will award points in the following categories; expression, rhythm, timing, execution, taste, choice of tunes, ease and confidence in performance.


III. GENERAL RULES

A. No electric instruments, drums, or recorded music will be permitted in nay category, for any reason. Electric pickups will not be permitted.

B. Contestants in Old Time String Band will perform two tunes. Contestants in Senior Fiddle and Old Time Banjo will perform three tunes per round. Contestants in all other instrumental categories will perform two tunes unless the judges request the performance of one additional tune, or the category is limited to one tune. Contestants in singing contest will perform one song unless the judges request one additional song. In the Beginning Banjo and Beginning Fiddle categories, contestants may play either one or two tunes - their choice. If, after finishing their first tune, a contestant thinks they have done their best, they can stop. If a contestant thinks they can do better, they can play a second tune. Contestants will not be penalized for playing only one tune.

C. Five finalists will be selected in the Senior Fiddle and Old Time Banjo categories. Winners will be selected from the first round of competition in all other categories unless a second round is requested by the judges.

D. Contestants performing in the individual performer categories may perform accompanied or alone. No performer may be accompanied by the same instrument he or she is competing in (e.g., fiddle competitors may not be accompanied by a fiddle), except that guitar contestants may be accompanied by a rhythm guitar.


E. The judges will be located adjacent to the performance area to allow both visual and auditory judging.

F. Each tune (or song) in a medley counts as an individual tune. Contestants who exceed the prescribed number of tunes for their contest will not be considered in the judging. (See rule III-B for number of tunes allowed in each contest.)

G. Vocals are allowed in every category. Vocals will be considered accompaniment except in the Old Time String Band and Old Time Singing. You may, for example, enter the autoharp competition and accompany yourself vocally.


H. Contestants in all categories should avoid tunes that have been "picked to death." Note that Choice of Tune is one of the judging criteria. Performances of original tunes and songs are acceptable if they are in traditional styles.

L To make the contest run smoothly, please do the following: be ready to go on stage when it is your turn; announce the name of the tune or song before you begin, but do not give time-consuming introductions or explanations.

J. Judges will award ribbons of encouragement to young contestants.


IV SPECIFIC RULES

A. Senior Fiddle

Contestants will be required to perform
three tunes each round. A contestant may not repeat a tune that he or she has played in the previous round. The following tunes are not permitted: Orange Blossom Special, Black Mountain Rag, Listen to the Mockingbird, and other novelty or trick times. Fiddlers are particularly urged to avoid other tunes that have been picked to death. A waltz is not required. Points earned in elimination round will not carry over to the finals. A senior Fiddler is anyone who is not a beginner, without reference to age.

B. Old Time Banjo
Contestants will be required to perform three tunes in each round. A contestant may not repeat a tune he or she has played in the previous round. Banjo contestants are particularly urged to avoid tunes that have been picked to death. Points earned in elimination round will not carry over to the finals.

C. Beginning Fiddle and Beginning Banjo
The judges will request that a contestant in these competitions be shifted to the Senior Fiddle or Old Time Banjo category if they feel that the contestant is playing with skill beyond that which might be expected of a beginner.


D. Old Time String Band
Any group of traditional instruments will be permitted, but the band contest is specifically not a bluegrass contest, and bluegrass entries will not be accepted. At least one strictly instrumental (non-vocal) number will be required. Each person may enter the band competition with only one band.


E.
Old Time Singing
Each contestant may enter both categories of the old time singing contest (individual and group) but may enter each category only once. Singing may be done with or without instrumental accompaniment, but contestants in the individual singing contest cannot be accompanied by other vocalists.
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