Contests

Jamboree Competition Information

The Happy Valley Jamboree features a **single** competition in the evening on Saturday.  In several ways, this competition differs from the previous Fiddlers Convention.  Rather than several individual categories and a band competition, the jamboree has one open individual music and/or dance competition (a live old-time band will be provided for dancers).  Since part of the Jamboree’s mission is to celebrate and encourage our region’s rich and diverse musical heritage, contestants are strongly encouraged to perform old-time, bluegrass, piedmont blues, ragtime, and early country music.  The Jamboree strives to create a welcoming, supportive, and fun atmosphere for all participants.

Individual Prizes:

Competition Rules

1. Only **acoustic** instruments are allowed with one exception: due to the fact that we can’t haul a real piano on stage, Electric keyboards *may* be used, but they must be on a traditional “piano” setting.
2. Contestants will be allowed one living, breathing accompanist.  Accompanists may play with more than one individual contestant. Pre-recorded accompaniment is not permitted.
3. Contestants are permitted 3 minutes to perform one tune or one song.  (All competitors *may* be asked to perform two songs and/or tunes in the rare case that few contestants have entered. Competitors may re-tune between songs if two songs are requested.)
4. All songs must be limited to 3 minutes. Judges will penalize for going over allotted time.
5. No medleys are allowed.
6. Competitors who place first in a particular category 3 years in a row will no longer be eligible to compete.  These winners will be recognized as Master Musicians and although they are ineligible to compete in the future, they may be asked to perform as a highlight at the next festival.

Judging

• In order to encourage and perpetuate traditional music, judging will be based on the following:

1. Execution – timing, clarity, tuning, tone quality, smoothness of starting and stopping, and level of ability.
2. Authenticity and Presentation – style, balance, sense of melody, arrangement, and overall expression/soul.

• Scoring will not be based on age, gender, race, appearance, place of residence, or any other non-musical factor.
• All judging is final and cannot be contested. Judging sheets will not be made available to all participants.
• Accidents or disturbances beyond the control of the contestant (such as a broken string/noise) may result in a replay, if the judges so merit.
• Sound system adjustments will be made and remain at the same setting throughout each round of eliminations, with the exception of feedback adjustments by sound technicians.
• Deviations from the rules *may* result in disqualification.

Flatfoot Dance Rules and Judging Issues

Flatfoot Dance competitions will be approximately 30-45 seconds with a live band providing music. Dance judges favor traditional performance over technical performance. Flatfoot dance will be judged on difficulty and variety of steps, natural and comfortable dance presentation, timing, and presentation of smooth old time style.

• Shoes must be worn.
• No taps are allowed.
• Accidents or disturbances beyond the control of the contestant may result in a replay if the judges so merit.
• Tunes will be played two times through (AABB, AABB), with 4 “potatoes” to start, followed by a 4 beat ending tag (“Shave and a Haircut 2-bits).  The tune will be played at the start of the competition so that the dancers can hear the tune and structure.
• All judging is final and cannot be contested.
• Scoring will not be based on age, gender, race, appearance, place of residence, or any other non-musical/dance factor.