Fiddlers Contest

The Huron Township Applefest presents the

24th Annual Michigan State Championship
Old-Time Fiddlers Contest

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 10:00am
37283 Huron River Drive, New Boston, Michigan 48164 outdoors
on the Applefest Stage

Contestants must play a waltz, a schottische, a jig and a reel in a manner suitable to Michigan old-time dancing. Contestants will be judged on tempo/timing. intonation, expression and repertoire. There is a non-refundable $10.00 entry fee. Contestants register at 9:00am and drawfor position at 9:30am.

Click on link below for more information.


To register Print Application Form HERE and send to:

Huron Applefest
P.O. Box 58
New Boston, MI 48164

 

For more information, contact Jim McKinney,fiddle contest director
734-753-8863
stringtet@charter.net

*$300 First Prize
*$200 Second Prize
*$100 Third Prize
-Plus More Awards & Prizes
*Free to Listeners & Observers

The Huron Township Applefest would like to thank our sponsors for making the 23rd Annual Michigan State Championship Old-Time Fiddlers contest Possible:

DoSan’s
29048Garden Blvd.
Flat Rock, MI 48134
734-782-1310
www.Dosans.com

Psarianos Violins Ltd.
79 E. Maple
Troy, MI 48083
(248) 689-8424
157 E. Hoover
Ann Arbor, M I 48104
(734)761-8423
www.PsarianosViolins.com

Shar Music
2465 S. Industrial
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-665-7885
www.SharMusic.com
Michigan Jamboree
8701 East Seven Mile Rd.
Big Rapids, MI 49307
MichiganJamboree@aol.com
The Les Raber
Memorial Foundation
Preserving & promoting
old-time Michigan fiddling
1149 Hillview Dr.
Hastings, MI 49058
GoldenGriffonStringtet.com/raber.htm

Music Workshop
Lessons, Repairs, Supplies
19486 Allen Road
Brownstown, MI 48183
734-479-0840
music.workshop@comcast.net

Kentuckians of Michigan
Live Bluegrass Every Friday
28391 Bredow Rd.
Romulus, MI  48174
734-782-0132
www.kentuckiansofmichigan.741.com

   

 


Michigan State Championship Old-Time Fiddlers Contest Rules

  1. Contestants' entry form must be completed and turned in with the non-refundable $10.00 entry fee prior to the draw order
  2. Contestants will draw for order of appearance prior to the contest. Contestants must be present and ready to play when their number is called or they will be disqualified.
  3. No electrical or amplified instruments allowed.
  4. Each contestant will play a waltz, a schottische, a jig and a reel in that order.
  5. Tunes that do not meet the definitions below or tunes played out of order will be penalized.
  6. Trick fiddling, cross-tuning, show tunes and novelty tunes such as "Listen to the Mockingbird", "Orange Blossom Special" and "Black Mountain Rag" are not allowed. Styles of playing other than Michigan old-time fiddling are not acceptable, although the judges may take into account variations in Michigan old-time fiddling.
  7. Each contestant may use one accompanist playing in chord-style rhythm. Contestants may play without accompaniment if they choose. Scores will not be based on the presence or absence of an accompanist.
  8. Contestants and accompanists must play from memory. Sheet music is not allowed on stage.
  9. There will be a six- minute time limit. No scoring will take place after the six-minute mark. Contestants may use less playing time if desired.
  10. In the event of an accident beyond the player's control (such as a broken string), at the judges' discretion, a replay may be allowed from the point of the incident.
  11. In the event of a tie, a one-tune playoff will decide the winner. Any tune a contestant has played in a qualifying round or playoff may not be repeated in any subsequent rounds or playoffs.
  12. Any person placing first a total of three times will no longer be eligible to compete.
  13. Contestants will only be identified by number. Contestants are not allowed to speak on stage.
  14. All decisions of the judges are final.

Tune Definitions

Walts - a tune in 3/4 time appropriate for waltzing.
Schottische - a tune in 2/4, 4/4 or 2/2 time appropriate for dancing a schottische.
Jig - a tune in 6/8 time appropriate for square or contra dancing.
Reel - a tune in 2/2, 4/4 or 2/2 time appropriate for square or contra dancing.

Judging Categories

Rhythm, Tempo & Timing (25 points) - A steady, danceable tempo with no unevenness, pauses or dropped beats. A pleasant "lift" that makes dancers want to move. This shows the contestant's ability to move dancers around the floor, rather than display "hot licks". Excessive speed is discouraged.

Clarity & Intonation (25 Points) - Notes played clearly with good tone. This shows the contestant's ability to make pleasant sounds and to play the right note at the right time.

Expression (25 points) - Use of phrasing, dynamics, ornaments and variation. This shows the contestant's ability to make the tune their own by putting some of their own style and personality into the tune, however, elements that obscure the dancer's musical cues are discouraged.

Repertoire (25 points) - Tunes that are appropriate to Michigan old-time fiddling. This shows the contestant's knowledge of the tunes played by Michigan's old-time fiddlers, helps to preserve the old tunes and promotes the unique musical heritage of the state of Michigan.

Scoring Guide

5 points - Needs Work
10 points - Fair
15 points - Average
20 points - Good
25 points - Excellent