July 15th, 2023
Bottom row:
Megan McGarry, Curwensville Days Fiddle Contest organizer Jewel McClain, 1st place Junior Division from Ridgeway Leighlynn Magagnotti, 2nd Junior Division from New Bethlehem Alayna Ballou, 3rd Junior Division from Curwensville Maddy Wisor, 3rd Junior Division from Grampian Zack McGarry, Curwensville Days Committee President Second row from the bottom: Eliza Mood, 1st place Teen Division from Johnstown Lucian Mikush, 2nd place Teen Division from Pittsburgh Juliana Ballou, 3rd place Teen Division from Curwensville Third row: Tim Hicks, 1st place Senior Division from Brockway Ed Gelnett, 2nd place Senior Division from Rockton Not pictured: Dave Knepp, 3rd place from Woodland Top row: Ryan Sutter, 1st Place Adult Division from Punxsutawney Jim McCullough, 2nd place Adult Division from Rossiter |
ABOUT THE CONTEST
Purpose:
The original and purpose of the Fiddlers’ Contest® is to help perpetuate the fiddling culture and history of pioneer America; to help develop a more genuine audience understanding and
to preserve the fiddling tunes; to develop and encourage jam sessions and contests; to permanently record and display the history, relics and mementos of the art of fiddling; and to acknowledge the present-day fiddlers who are helping to preserve these expressions.
Who may participate:
The Curwensville Days Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest is open to any “old time” fiddlers in their respective age division.
Contest Categories:
Four Contests will be held: Senior, Adult, Teen (ages 13-17), Junior (ages 12 and under)
Judging:
Three(3)-qualified judges will do the judging. Judges’ will score each contestants performance individually with a rubric. Scoring categories include tone, style, rhythm, and intonation. The three scores will be averaged to determine the winner.
The original and purpose of the Fiddlers’ Contest® is to help perpetuate the fiddling culture and history of pioneer America; to help develop a more genuine audience understanding and
to preserve the fiddling tunes; to develop and encourage jam sessions and contests; to permanently record and display the history, relics and mementos of the art of fiddling; and to acknowledge the present-day fiddlers who are helping to preserve these expressions.
Who may participate:
The Curwensville Days Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest is open to any “old time” fiddlers in their respective age division.
Contest Categories:
Four Contests will be held: Senior, Adult, Teen (ages 13-17), Junior (ages 12 and under)
Judging:
Three(3)-qualified judges will do the judging. Judges’ will score each contestants performance individually with a rubric. Scoring categories include tone, style, rhythm, and intonation. The three scores will be averaged to determine the winner.
General Contest Rules
- Three judges will be used with all three scores added together..
- 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
- Each contestant will have 5 minutes to play their songs. Contestants going over the allowed time will lose 10 points per 30 seconds from the total score.
- Judging criteria on individual tunes will include but is not limited to Oldtime Fiddling Style, Intonation, Rhythm and Timing, and Tone Quality.
- Each contestant may play with a guitar accompanist
- 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.
- A tie occurring in the top 5 of the final round of any division will be broken by the two contestants playing a three-tune round.
- Contact microphones and amplified instruments will not be permitted during any competition.
- No cross-tuning
- Any contestant winning a trophy or money must appear on stage to receive their awards or the awards will be forfeited.