Rules

2007 Happy Valley Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention Rules

Individual Instrument and Band Competitions

General Information for Performers

  • REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR ALL CONTESTS WILL BE ONE HOUR BEFORE THE SCHEDULED COMPETITION FOR THAT SPECIFIC CATEGORY. See schedule.
  • Contestants must be backstage at their designated time or forfeit their right to compete.
  • No announcements by contestants will be allowed on stage before or after their performances. Emcee will announce all pertinent information for each contestant.
  • Winners will be announced and posted at the conclusion of the event.
  • Festival management reserves the right to determine the locations of competitions.

Competition Rules

  1. PRELIMINARY COMPETITIONS will occur during the day with the top three individual finalists and top five band finalists playing in the evening for first, second and third place. One or two tunes will be played during the preliminaries (day) for all contests. Competitors may re-tune between songs.
  2. During the finals, bands and twin fiddles will play two tunes and all individual instruments will play only one tune.
  3. Individuals can appear in only one band but can compete in individual categories.
  4. Old-Time Bands must consist of at least a banjo, a fiddle and one rhythm instrument with no more than seven members. Bands must play tunes characteristic of the old-time tradition and style. Only one vocal number is permitted but is not required.
  5. Bluegrass Bands must consist of three different instruments with no more than seven members.
  6. Bands can compete in only one division.
  7. Only acoustic instruments are allowed.
  8. Individual and twin fiddles categories may have one accompanist of a different instrument. Accompanists may play with more than one individual contestant.
  9. The same band members who competed in the preliminaries must perform in the finals.
  10. In the Old-Time Fiddle competition, trick tunes such as "Listen to the Mockingbird" will not be permitted.
  11. Clogging and Flatfoot dance competitions will be approximately 30-45 seconds with live band providing the music. (See Dance Rules and Information).

Judging Issues:

In order to encourage and perpetuate traditional music, judging will be based on 1) execution (timing, clarity, tuning, tone quality, smoothness of starting and stopping and level of ability) and 2) authenticity and presentation (style, balance, sense of melody, arrangement, and overall expression/soul.

  • In order to encourage and perpetuate traditional music, judging will be based on authenticity of style, balance, tuning, level of ability, expression, smoothness of starting and stopping tunes and timing. Judges favor traditional performance over technical performance. Scoring will not be based on age, gender, race, appearance, place of residence, or any other non-musical factor.
  • All judging is final and cannot be contested.
  • Accidents or disturbances beyond the control of the contestant (such as a broken string/noise) may result in a replay if the judges so merit.
  • Sound system adjustments will be made and remain at the same setting throughout each round of eliminations, with the exception of feedback adjustments by the official sound technician.
  • Deviations from the rules will result in disqualification.

Dance Competition

General Information for Dancers

  1. AREGISTRATION DEADLINE WILL BE ONE HOUR BEFORE THE SCHEDULED PERFORMANCE. See schedule. PRE-REGISTERED CONTESTANTS MUST PHYSICALLY CHECK IN AT THE REGISTRATION DESK ONE HOUR BEFORE SCHEDULED COMPETITION.
  2. Contestants must be back stage at their designated time or forfeit their right to compete. Order of performance will be randomly determined.
  3. Contestants may enter only one dance competition.
  4. No announcements by contestants will be allowed on stage before or after their performance. Emcee will announce all pertinent information for each contestant.
  5. Winners will be announced and posted at the conclusion of the event.
  6. Clogging and Flatfoot dance competitions will be approximately 30-45 seconds with a live band providing the pre-selected music to be used by all dancers.

Flatfoot Dance

Flatfoot dance will be judged on difficulty and variety of steps, natural and comfortable dance presentation, timing, and presentation of smooth old time style. Shoes must be worn. No taps on shoes. This event should consist of authentic old-time dancing in the "true flat-foot style." Arms should not be flounced but should be held loosely at the sides of the body. The feet should be kept parallel to the floor and as close to the floor as possible. No high stepping or double toes are allowed.

Clogging Dance

Clogging dance will be judged on rhythm, precision of steps, variety of steps, and showmanship. Shoes must be worn. The "traditional" clog dance style from Appalachia is preferred over the more contemporary styles. Taps on shoes are optional.

Judging Issues

  1. Judges favor traditional performance over technical performance. Scoring will not be based on age, gender, race, appearance, place of residence, or any other non-musical factor.
  2. All judging is final and cannot be contested.
    3. Accidents or disturbances beyond the control of the contestant may result in a replay if the judges so merit.
  3. Deviations from the rules will result in disqualification.