2007 National Oldtime Fiddlers'
Contestant Registration Form
115 W Idaho       Weiser, ID  83672
208.414.0255

2008 ENTRY FORMS WILL BE POSTED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2008. 
NO ENTRY FORMS FOR 2008 WILL BE ACCEPTED WITH 2007 FORMS. 
THIS IS LEFT HERE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. 

As a note this is a very large amount of information.  Please make sure you read it in it's entirety.   It will take about 8 pages to print this out.

GENERAL CHAIRMAN LETTER

Dear Fiddlers and Accompanists:                                                                    

This year’s contest will be held June 18-23, 2007.  The enclosed information is important to the success of your contesting
experience and we suggest you READ THIS LETTER AND THE CONTEST RULES IN THEIR ENTIRETY.   We do
not want anyone to be caught unaware.  

We would like to welcome our new Executive Director, Karen Penner. She was formally our Administrative Assistant and
Certification Chairman.  Please be sure to drop by the office at the high school and introduce yourself to Karen during the
contest.  She would love to meet you.    

The following is a list of the categories, age limits, and the dates the first rounds will be played.  To help you with your
planning, a tentative schedule of rounds is enclosed with this letter.  Each Division Champion will be showcased at the
opening of the following nights’ contest and each night thereafter. 

You must check in by 4:00 p.m. prior to the day of the first round of your division.  Contestants must sign in 30 minutes
prior to beginning of each round in the warm up room.

In anticipation of a large number of returning fiddlers this year, we are forced to limit registrations in all divisions.   This
will allow us to stay within the time frames mandated by venue restrictions.  We will be taking registrations until a division
is full.  If your registration was not received prior to the division closure, you will be added to a waiting list for possible
cancellations.  If you are waiting to compete in a certified contest before registering, be aware that being certified does not
guarantee you will be registered for a contest division. You must register.  You will be guaranteed a spot in the Certified
showcase.  Please see Winner’s Letter for details.  

 Small Fry . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Contestants                    Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45 Contestants
                 Junior-Junior  . . . . . .  .70 Contestants                    Senior . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21 Contestants
                 Junior  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Contestants                     Senior-Senior . . . . . . . 27 Contestants
                 Young Adult . . . . . . . .  50 Contestants                    Grand Champion . . . .  24 Contestants 

The National contest will utilize two sets of five judges during the week.  Each set of five judges are responsible for three
full days of the contest.  This enables each judge the ability to compete in their  own division while enjoying other aspects
of the contest week.  We are in the process of confirming this years' judging panel.  For a list of judges, their bios and
judging schedule, please check our website after April 1, 2007. 

General Chairman Letter 2007, Page 2
 

Following registration on Sunday, June 17^th, the judges will be available to answer general questions and make comments
on scoring and tune choices.  This will be a general meeting for all contestants, accompanists, and interested people; and
will take place in the high school auditorium at 4:00 p.m. 

NOTABLE INFORMATION FOR 2007

ALL DIVISIONS WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN THEIR REGISTRATION FEES AND BENEFITS. 
      NOTFA members will enjoy a $5.00 discount upon registration.  One discount per membership.
      Contestant and accompanist badge will be good for all performances including Saturday night.

PRIZE MONEY WILL BE INCREASED.

TWO SETS OF JUDGES RATHER THAN THREE SETS.

THREE ACCOMPANISTS ON STAGE:  Please remember that Small Fry and Junior-Junior contestants will only be
allowed up to two accompanists on stage. All other divisions may use up to three accompanists.

GUEST FEES: To help expedite the registration process and to promote consistency between the contestants’ and
accompanists’ guests passes, there will be a $10.00 charge for all guest passes with a late fee of $10.00 if not declared
by May 31, 2007.  If you choose to designate your guest’s name upon your arrival to the contest, please be aware that
you will be assessed the late fee. Guest will need to purchase tickets for Saturday night.

WORKSHOPS:  Once again there will be musical workshops.  The workshops will remain free to members of the
NOTFA and their immediate families.  Non-members will be charged a fee of $5 per workshop
for an individual pass or $20 for a week long pass good for any of the workshops.  There will
also be a family pass available for only $25.  Children under 12 may be accompanied by a
non-paying adult. They will run every two hours from 11 am to 5 pm on Monday and 9 am to 5 pm,
Tuesday – Friday.  Workshops will include beginning, intermediate, advanced and master fiddle classes,
swing fiddle, intermediate and advanced guitar for fiddle backup, mandolin, banjo, harmonica and courses
on fiddle history, jamming and improvisation.  We are fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the
profession.  Some of the workshops will be limited in size.  Workshop teachers and schedules will be posted
on our website April 1, 2007.  Sign ups and the purchase of passes will be available during registration.

NOTABLE INFORMATION FOR 2008

SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR 2008.  Adults and Small Fry will be on Monday, Junior-Junior and Small Fry on Tuesday,
      Junior on Wednesday, Senior, Senior Senior, and Grand Champion on Thursday, Young Adult and Grand Champion on
      Friday, and Grand Champion on Saturday.

We will be excited to welcome our new and old friends back to Weiser on Sunday, June 18th, when the registration doors
open at 12:00 NOON.  If you have any questions, please give us a call at 1-800-437-1280 or if you live in the Treasure
Valley area, 414-0255.

 Sincerely,

Bruce R. Campbell, Contest General Chairman

RULES

Annual
NATIONAL OLDTIME FIDDLERS’ CONTEST®
Weiser, Idaho
GENERAL CONTEST RULES
**Amended 2007**   (Amendments are designated in bold type)
 

1.  Entry blank must be completed and entry fee paid before June 1 to be placed on the contestant list.  Money will be
refunded to anyone who paid entry fees and cannot attend, if committee is notified of withdrawal by June 1. 

2.  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.

4.  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.

6.  We encourage accompanists to pre-register.  Accompanists wanting an accompanist badge and guest badge must
register.  Badges and packets will be issued at contest. Any accompanist registered and not accompanying a contesting
fiddler on stage (excluding the Certified Contest and specials) will not be allowed to register as an accompanist at the
contest the next year.  If the fiddler you were going to accompany fails to compete, you must contact the contest
chairman at once.

8.  Small Fry and Jr. Jr. Contestants may play with up to two accompanists.  All other divisions are allowed up to three
accompanists.  

Contest Rules 2007, Page 2

10. 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 (except for Small Fry and Junior Junior
divisions) 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.

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

13.  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. 9 through 12 (inclusive).

14.  No sheet music shall be displayed in the contesting area.

15.  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.

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

17.  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.

18.  All decisions of the Judges and of the Contest Committee will be final.
                                                                                                                                                                        
Limited Entries and Contestants may enter only one of the following contests:      

GENERAL INFORMATION
ANNUAL NATIONAL OLDTIME FIDDLERS’ CONTEST®
Weiser, Idaho  83672   Third Full Week in June

PURPOSE
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.

CONTEST CATEGORIES
Eight National Contests: Grand Champion, Senior-Senior, Senior, Adult, Young Adult, Junior, Junior- Junior & Small Fry.

JUDGING
Five (5)-qualified judges will do judging. 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
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.

CERTIFIED CONTESTS
The National Fiddlers’ Certification and Advisory Council certifies qualified local, regional and state contests. Through
certification, contests are recognized for their adherence to National Rules, standards for judging and desire to produce a
quality fiddling event.  First Place winners from a Certified Contest receive paid entry to the National Contest, an evening
showcase performance at the Contest and year long recognition in the National Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame. Certification
information is available from the above Council at 115 W. Idaho, Weiser, Idaho 83672.   Please notify us of any contest in
your area that would like to be certified and complete information will be sent.

NATIONAL FIDDLERS’ HALL OF FAME
The Hall of Fame pays tribute to and honors fiddlers from throughout the nation.  It has established archives of oldtime
fiddling tunes, fiddling papers, notes, and books; to be preserved for future generations.  Old fiddles, fiddle mementos and
pictures of honored fiddlers are on display.  If you have any fiddling relics, mementos, recorded tunes, or information you
wish to donate, please contact our committee, National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest, 115 West Idaho, Weiser, Idaho  83672.

PARADE
This parade is held at noon on Saturday each year.   Fiddlers and other participants are invited to enter the parade.
Decorated floats are available for any fiddlers interested in showcasing their music in the parade.  Prizes are awarded in
different categories.

DRESS
For the evening performances, contestants should wear clothing that reflects the importance of the evening competition.
Publicity photos are taken at the end of each night's competitions.

BADGES
Registered contestants and accompanists will each receive one badge for personal use plus the opportunity to purchase
one guest badge. The contestant and accompanist badges allow the participants entrance into all the shows,
including Saturday. Guests must purchase a ticket for Saturday night.  Lost badges should be reported as
soon as possible.  If the badge is not found after 24 hours another badge may be purchased for half the remaining ticket
prices.

REFUNDS
Refunds will be given to anyone who paid an entry fee and notified the committee of entry withdrawal by May 31. 

NOTE - All questions, decisions, and plans will be governed by the overall committee on the basis of our Purpose
 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR 2007
National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest
 

New in 2007 Contestants can pre-purchase a t-shirt
dedicated to National Contestants for only $10!

The Shirts must be paid for and
pre-ordered by May 31, 2007.  They will
be available when contestants check-in
at the Registration Desk.  The design
will be on a light gray t-shirt, pre-shrunk,
100% cotton, with the design being 8
inches in the center front of the shirt. 
If you would like to order a t-shirt, please
indicate so on the contestant registration
form below.  Colors may vary on actual
t-shirt.  The children's t-shirt will be a
blended shirt of 10% ploy 90% cotton
and will be a different grey the adult.

 OFFICIAL CONTESTANT ENTRY FORM

NATIONAL OLDTIME FIDDLERS’ CONTEST®
115 W Idaho   Weiser, Idaho  83672
208.414.0255

Date_________________________ 

Name _______________________________________________ Male ________ Female _______

 Address_______________________________________ Email: _________________________________

 City ____________________________________________________State________ Zip _____________

Phone Number (____) _________________    Birthdate _________________________ Age _______

Parent(s) Name(s) If Minor _____________________________________ 

Occupation ____________________________________ Hobbies________________________________

 Recent Contests Won ___________________________________________________________________

 Indicate number of years that you have attended the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest ________________

Be advised Prize Money has increased and Contestant and Accompanist badges are now good through
Saturday Night.   NOTFA members receive a discount on registration fees.  One discount per membership. 
For more membership benefits see the membership page.

Completed forms and payment made in full are required to start the registration process.
If you a winner of a Nationally Certified Contest please specify contest and division. 
____________________________________________________________________________

 NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION DIVISION (Open) …………………………………………….………….Entry Fee $52.50 

 NATIONAL SENIOR-SENIOR DIVISION (70 AND Over) ………………………………………………….Entry Fee $25.00

 NATIONAL SENIOR DIVISION (60-69) ………………………………………………………………………....Entry Fee $25.00

 NATIONAL ADULT DIVISION (37-59)….…………………………………………………………………….....Entry Fee $37.50

 NATIONAL YOUNG ADULT DIVISION (18-36) ……………………………………………………………...Entry Fee $37.50

 NATIONAL JUNIOR DIVISION (Under 18) …………………………………………………………….……...Entry Fee $25.00

 NATIONAL JUNIOR-JUNIOR DIVISION (Under 13) ……………………………………………………….Entry Fee $17.50

 SMALL FRY DIVISION (Under 9) ……………………………………………………………………………........Entry Fee $15.00
                    
 GUEST NAME _____________________________CITY/STATE _________...........Guest Fee $10.00
(One Guest per paid contestant entry fee, mark Guest Fee Below if declaring a guest)              

Official Contestant Entry Form 2007, Page 2

Contestant Name:  ______________________________  Division:  ________________________

T-Shirt Size & Number:  ADULT  ____ XXXL   ____ XXL   ____ XL  ____ L  ____ M  ____ S
                                                     CHILD   ____ L (14-16)     ____ M (10-12)  ____ S (6-8)  ____ XS (2-4)

I have read and understand the 2007 rules and contesting procedures ______ (please check)

Contest Signature ________________________________________________   Date ___________
(If under 18 please have parent or guardian sign above.)


OVERNIGHT PARKING RESERVATION
I will stay in the FiddleTown Overnight Parking @ High School: Yes ____ No ____     # of People in Party ________ 

Date of Arrival____________ Date of Departure____________   Camp Area Request (See Map)_______________  

Rig Size/Type: Tent(s) ______ (How Many?) R.V. _____________ (Size)  Motor Coach ____________  (Size)     

Generator:      Yes ____       No ____   

I will not stay at FiddleTown at the High School; In case of emergency, I will be staying at: _____________________________________________________________________________________

We will do our best to honor your requests for specific overnight parking areas but do not guarantee any requests.             

Please make sure you double check all of your information on the contestant registration form and send in both pages.
 

If you would like to make additional reservations at FiddleTown,
please go to the Accommodations page for more information and the map.
(still in the works)

If you would like to order additional Contest Tickets,
please visit the Contest Ticket page.

Back to Contestant Information