Shady Grove Contest Rules


Instrument Contest Rules

Band Contest Rules

All catagories and divisions will require two tunes to be played from memory. (Fiddle contestants are required to play traditional/public domain tunes; one being a waltz or a slow tune.) Numbers will be drawn from a hat to determine the playing order of contestants. Contestants will be called on stage by number. No talking, singing or other sounds will be allowed. The announcer will name the tunes. Contestants will be playing into a microphone to accommodate the blind judging. Accompanying instruments will not be on mic. Stools or chairs will be provided if needed. Judges decisions will be final. A no-holes barred competition using the Duke Ellington Rules (there's only two kinds of music -- good music and bad music) A strict 15-minute limit is imposed. Entrance and exit included within that 15 minutes. We're on a schedule! To date, the stage manager has never had to use the "hook". There is no time for sound checks, your first song IS the sound check. There is one recording microphone for all vocals and acoustic instruments. A bass amp will be provided for a plug-in bass. You're responsible for your volume.