Judging Information
2008 National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest^®
(Subject to Change)

Judges at the National Oldtime Fiddling Contest have a firm set of guidelines that they follow throughout the rounds for each division to determine who the winner is at the end of each day.  A computer program designed to aid in the process randomly selects the order of play for each round.  Once an order of play is determined then the list is published in the warm-up room and other locations around the contest site.  This is done approximately 20 minutes after the completion of a round.  A more complete set of guidelines is listed below and a full set is included in the registration information.

The judges rotate throughout the week.  Once the judges for 2008 are obtained we will list them here along with the days and divisions that they will be judging.  We are consulting with past Grand Champions and and well respected fiddlers' in selecting the judges. 

PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL OLDTIME FIDDLERS' CONTEST
The original and continuing purpose of the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest is to help perpetuate the fiddling culture and history of pioneer America; to help develop a more genuine audience appreciation, understanding and participation; to preserve the oldtime fiddling tunes; to develop and encourage jam sessions and contests; to permanently record and display the history, relics and mementos of the art of oldtime fiddling; and to acknowledge the present-day fiddlers who are helping to preserve these traditional expressions.

The judges help us to the best of their ability to continue on with our purpose of preserving the oldtime fiddling tunes.

CONTEST CATEGORIES
There are eight National Divisions: GRAND CHAMPION, SENIOR-SENIOR, SENIOR, ADULT, YOUNG ADULT, JUNIOR,    JUNIOR-JUNIOR, and SMALL FRY.

JUDGING PROCEDURES
Five (5)-qualified judges will do judging for each division. Judges’ scores will be tabulated, high and low scores will not be utilized, and cuts will be made based on cumulative scores.  A computerized play order will be posted as soon as possible before each round. Judging will be done by remote and no judge will see any contestant or hear an introduction or commentary. Contestant is identified only by number.

STOPWATCH and TIMING OF CONTESTANT ROUNDS
A stopwatch will be used in the judging room to enable strict enforcement of the four-minute rule for rounds one, two and three, and five-minute rule for rounds four, five, and six.

CONTESTANT ROUND CHECK-IN
Each contestant is responsible for finding out when he/she is to play and then to be in the warm-up room at least 30 minutes prior to that time. During that time, the contestant must report to the desk in the warm-up room to give the names of the tunes that will be played in that round of the contest and to list their accompanists. The contestant may not leave the warm up room during that 30 minutes unless they inform the volunteers at the check in desk where they are going.  Watch the flipchart at the check in desk to know which player is next.

TUNING AREA
A private tuning area is located in the gym. If you wish to go into this warm up room, you will need to advise the gate person.  You will be escorted to that location for the 4 minutes prior to your contesting time.

BULLPEN STAGING PROCEDURE FOR ALL ROUNDS
The actual check-in/on deck procedure for all divisions and rounds will be as follows:

1. Player #1 will be called to the gym stage just prior to starting time for each contest.

2. Player #2 will follow immediately and wait in the warm-up room by the gym door, or just inside the gym or in the private warm up room.  Numbers 3, 4, and 5 should be getting warmed up.

3. Number 1 exits the stage straight out to the bleachers. Player #2 will come up to the stage and will play after he/she is announced.

4. As #2 leaves the gym door to go to the stage, #3 will be brought to the gym door to wait. An official will be available to help you at all times. The rest will follow in the same pattern.

5. Players missing their turn in Round 1,2,3,4,5, or 6 will receive a 10 point penalty from the total score unless the tardiness is waived by the General Chairman.

A FEW GENERAL CONTEST RULES
(see a full set of General Rules in "Register to Compete")
Numbers below do not correspond to the General Rules within the Registration Package

**Amended 2008**   (Amendments are designated in bold type)
 

1. Contestants must pre-register by 4:00 p.m. prior to the day of the first round of their division. NOTE LIMITED ENTRY as designated below. In the National Grand Champion Division, first consideration of entries will be given (until June 1) to previous years’ competitors from that division or top five finishers from all other divisions. Contestants must SIGN IN 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THEIR CONTEST.  Sign in means the entry form has been signed and dated, packet and badges have been picked up.  The General Chairman will consider emergency situations on an individual basis.
2. Initial order of appearance for the first round of play will be randomly selected by computer and posted by 5:30 p.m. the day before Round 1.  Judges’ scores will be tabulated, high and low scores will not be utilized, and cuts will be made based on cumulative scores.  A computerized play order will be posted as soon as possible before each round. Contestants should remain in the practice room or close proximity and be ready to play when called.  Any contestant registered and not playing will be eliminated from next year’s Contest.  Contestant’s badge and guest badge will be revoked for remainder of current year’s Contest.  Any contestant who harasses or threatens a judge will be automatically eliminated for the current and following year’s contest.
3. Players missing their turn in Round 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 will receive a 10 point penalty from the total score unless the tardiness is waived by the General Chairman.
4. Small Fry and Jr. Jr. Contestants may play with up to two accompanists.  All other divisions are allowed up to three accompanists.
5. If a string breaks, the contestant will have the option to continue or stop at that point.  If the tune is completed it will be  judged as played. If the contestant stops play, due to a broken string, he will be allowed to begin with that tune and complete his program without penalty.
6. Contestants at each appearance must first play a hoedown; second a waltz; and third, a fiddle tune of choice; other than a hoedown or waltz. No contestant shall play a tune more than once during the contest. Four minute playing time will be strictly adhered to in rounds one, two and three. Fourth round competitors will be allowed to play up to five minutes. Competitors in the Grand Champion Division will be allowed five minutes in rounds four, five, and six. Contestants going over the allowed time will lose 10 points per 30 seconds from the total score. A 10 second grace period will be allowed after 4:00.  Grand Champion round three will cut to twelve, round four cut to ten, round five cuts to ten, and six will be the top five.

7. Contact microphones and amplified instruments will not be permitted during any competition.

8. No trick or fancy fiddling allowed during the contesting appearances.  No cross-tuning on stage. 

9. Judging criteria on individual tunes will include but is not limited to Oldtime Fiddling Style, Danceability, Rhythm and Timing, and tone Quality.  Scores will be cumulative with the high and low scores taken out each round. Points will be deducted for any violation of the above rules, No. 5 through 8 (inclusive).  Ties in the final round of any division will be played off with a 3 tune, 5 minute, allowable round.

10. No Sheet music shall be displayed in the contesting area.

11. Any contestant winning three consecutive years in the Grand National Division must either judge the following year’s Contest or sit out the Contest that year.  Any contestant winning three consecutive years in the Senior-Senior, Senior, Adult, Young Adult, and Junior divisions will automatically move into the Grand National Division. Any Junior-Junior or Small Fry contestant winning three consecutive times in their division, will automatically move into the next age division.

12. Any contestant winning a trophy or money must appear on stage to receive their awards or the awards will be forfeited.

13. Any protest must be submitted in writing to the Contest Chairman, and signed by not less than three contestants of the Contest involved within three hours of protest occurrence.

14. Any protest must be submitted in writing to the Contest Chairman, and signed by not less than three contestants of the Contest involved within three hours of protest occurrence.

Contestants may enter only one of the following Contests:
Limited Entries for each division

NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION:      
Contestants, open to all regardless of age.   
6 Rounds                 24 Contestants

NATIONAL SENIOR-SENIOR:  
Contestants must be at least 70 years of age.              
4 Rounds                 27 Contestants  

NATIONAL SENIOR:   
Contestants must be 60 to 69 years of age.                 
4 Rounds                 21 Contestants       

NATIONAL ADULT:   
Contestants must be 37 to 59 years of age.                 
4 Rounds                 45 Contestants

NATIONAL YOUNG ADULT:   
Contestants must be 18 to 36 years of age.                 
4 Rounds                 50 Contestants       

NATIONAL JUNIOR:   
Contestants must be less than 18 years of age.           
4 Rounds                 76 Contestants

NATIONAL JUNIOR-JUNIOR:   
Contestants must be less than 13 years of age.           
3 Rounds                 70 Contestants

NATIONAL SMALL FRY:   
Contestants must be less than 9 years of age.             
3 Rounds                 45 Contestants