August 9, 2008
10:00 - 5:00pm
Historic Point Basse site

...with acoustic fiddle & harmonica contest..

Old Time Acoustic Fiddle Contest and Music Fest

View Printable Registration Form (in PDF format)

DIVISIONS:

• Youth (ages 4-11)
  1st - $75, 2nd - $40, 3rd - $20
• Teen (ages 12- 17)
  1st - $75, 2nd - $40, 3rd - $20
• Adult (ages 18 +)
  1st - $75, 2nd - $40, 3rd - $20
• Over All Grand Prize All Divisions - $150

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. No electric instruments. Fiddles are to be played under the chin. No trick fiddling.
2. Two tunes are to be played by memory. Both are subject to judging. There will be no warm up time on stage.
3. Fiddlers must play one slow tune (such as, but not limited to, a waltz.) And one fast tune (such as, but not limited to, a hoedown or a reel.)
4. No more than two accompanists. Accompanists must play a non-bowed instrument.
5. Three judges will officiate each contest.

Send in registration form early, if possible.

Check in time for all contestants is:
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. August 14, 2004 (Contest starts at 12:30 p.m.)

Location: Historic Point Basse
364Wakely Road
Nekoosa, WI 54457
Contact Number: (715) 886-4202

JUDGING CRITERIA:

View Judging Sheet (in PDF format)

A maximum of 120 points is possible for each tune. The specific categories appear below. Each category is worth 20 points.

• Rhythm and Timing: Judges will look for even, consistent rhythm. Rushing, dragging or unevenness in the performance will result in lost points.
• Creativity: Judges will look for variations, improvisations and “good licks”.
• Authenticity and Taste: Judges will look for selections of authentic performance styles in each category. Indiscriminate use of variations that make the basic tune unclear will result in lost points.
• Expression: Judges will look for the feeling that the contestant puts into his/her performance. Flat, mechanical, unfeeling performances will result in lost points, as will “excessive showmanship”.
• Execution: Judges will look for tone quality and clarity. Bad tone and muffled notes will result in lost points.
• Command: Judges will look for strength and confidence in execution. The judges will consider strength and confidence in bowing technique, maintenance of bow position with respect to strings and bridge, and use of appropriate amount of bow and bowing dynamics.

Rules borrowed from Minnesota Old Time Fiddle Contest, East Troy Bluegrass Festival and Fiddle Contest, and Leizime Brusoe Memorial Fiddle Contest.