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Competition Rules & Regulations
John Arcand Fiddle Fest
August 7th - 10th, 2008

Fiddle Contest Rules and Regulations

  1. All contestants must register before their category begins - there is no charge for this.
  2. Classes are: Novice 1 & 2* (12 & Under); Junior 1 & 2* (18 & under); Senior (60 and over), Open 1 & 2*, Championship*, Traditional Métis and Andy DeJarlis.
  3. You do not enter the Championship Class - Judges advance the top five contestants from Open into Championship.
  4. Contestants may move up in category of age - but cannot go down
  5. Contestants may only enter 1 class - plus Traditional Metis and Andy DeJarlis Class.
  6. Order of play is posted by the stage entrance. Contestants must be ready when called and all fiddles must be tuned.
  7. Players may have their own accompanist, but not more than two, who may chord only. Piano accompaniment is provided.
  8. No mutes or pickups can be used.
  9. Contestants must play three tunes in the old time style: a waltz, a jig and a reel or hornpipe in that order.
  10. Time Limit - no more than four (4) minutes.
  11. In case of accidents (broken string etc) contestants may replay.
  12. If a contestant survives the preliminary round - they may not play the same tunes again - with the exception of the Novice Class.
  13. Judges advance contestants in all classes to the finals on Sunday.
  14. There will be a play-off in case of a tie. The contest judges will decide the format as per class in the contest.
  15. Judges decisions are final.

*  The "2" Categories are an effort to "Level the Playing Field". In many cases, people who have just started playing or have only played awhile, are competing against more skilled players, making it impossible for them to place. This is an effort to encourage rather than discourage then, and allows them to compete with others at the same playing level. The Judges will place competitors into the "2" categories - you do not enter them!

Andy DeJarlis Class

  • each contestant must play two Andy DeJarlis compositions
  • You must provide the names of the tunes at registration
  • one must be a waltz, the other a tune of their choice
  • judges will combine the total points for both tunes

Traditional Metis Class

** Traditional Metis has different judges than the regular contest

  • contestants must play 3 traditional Metis tunes
  • one with regular tuning (eg. Drops of Brandy)
  • one with C#, A, E, A tuning (eg Duck Dance)
  • one with the G string tuned to A (eg Red River Jig)
  • player must keep time with their feet (with or without accompaniment)