August 14 at the Mille Lacs County Fair Grounds
Contest starts at 1pm
Printable registration form. Registration 'til 12:30.
This fiddle contest has the highest paying prizes in Minnesota! The Bistodeau Family Band has been putting on this contest for seven years, and will be performing prior to the contest - 11:30 am.
Free Fiddle Workshop - with 6 time National Fiddle Champion, Megan Lynch
• August 13, 2011: 2 - 4 pm
• 18620 Robinson Street - Dayton, MN
• Bring your fiddle and guitar for lessons
Megan Lynch, originally from Redding, California, is a six-time national fiddle champion, touring musician, recording artist, teacher, singer, and flatfooter. She plays with legendary country music artists Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan, and has played with bluegrass stars Dale Ann Bradley, Roland White, Larry Cordle, Jim Hurst, Chris Jones, 3 Fox Drive, Due West, Chris Stuart, and BEML (the duo of Bill Evans and Megan). Megan has fiddled and sung on numerous projects, and has a new CD out called The Comprehensive Fiddler. She has taught fiddle at prestigious camps such as Augusta Heritage Week, the British Columbia Bluegrass Workshop, Sore Fingers Bluegrass Week in the UK, and the California Bluegrass Association Camp, among many others. She’s the director of her own FiddleStar Youth and Adult Fiddle Camps. But sometimes she just likes to sit quietly and smell the flowers.
Click here to read more about Megan Lynch
• http://www.fiddlestar.com
• http://www.nashvillemusicworkshop.com
Fiddle Contest Prizes!
| Categories | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th |
| Open Division (any age may enter) |
$400 | $350 | $300 | $250 | $200 | $150 | $100 |
| Junior (9 & under) | $50 | $40 | $25 | $20 | $10 | ||
| Junior (age 10 - 12) | $75 | $50 | $25 | $20 | $10 | ||
| Young Adult (age 13 - 19) |
$100 | $75 | $50 | ||||
| Adult (age 20 & over) |
$100 | $75 | $50 |
The Gene Gerth Memorial Fiddle Contest
1:00pm - Registration till 12:30
Judges: Deena Bistodeau, Carol Sarchet, Alex DePue & Megan Lynch
General Rules:
1. Registration at judges' table prior to contest. Judges will be available to answer questions before the contest begins. Contestants will draw numbers for playing order.
2. Fiddlers may play alone or with accompanists on non-bowed instruments. Only 4-string fiddles are allowed. Accompanists cannot play the melody. Contact microphones, pickups or any amplified instrument are not allowed.
3. Fiddlers must play from memory. No sheet music or tablature allowed. Accompanist may use chord charts.
4. All contestants in divisions other than the open division will play two fiddle tunes: an upbeat tune and a waltz. An upbeat tune can be a breakdown or an "other" tune in lieu of a breakdown (i.e., rag, polka, swing - but must be a fiddle tune.) Open division contestants will play 3 tunes: a breakdown, waltz, and tune of choice (other than a breakdown or waltz). The top 3 in the open division will play a second round. Tunes must be played fiddle style (not classical) A MEDLEY OF TUNES IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
5. Each contestant will have 4 minutes maximum to play the two tunes, open division will have 8 minutes. In the event of a tie, judges will call for a playoff. Contestants may not repeat any tunes they've already played from their first round.
6. Trick and show fiddle tunes will not be accepted, (i.e., Orange Blossom Special, Black Mountain Rag, Listen to the Mockingbird, Lee Highway Blues or any tune considered trick and fancy.) If you are unsure if your tune is acceptable, please consult the judges prior to the contest. Cross tuning is not allowed for any tune. Incorrect choice of tune will result in 0 points.
7. Contestants will be allowed to restart a tune without being penalized if either the contestant or accompanist breaks a string or peg slippage occurs requiring the instrument to be retuned.
8. Judging will be scored for rhythm/timing, tone, intonation, and overall fiddling impression. All decisions by judges will be final. To protect the privacy of other contestants final score sheets will not be given out.
9. Open division scores are cumulative.
Questions regarding the workshop or the fiddle contest? Contact Deb Bistodeau: (763) 568-5135
Email: fiddle_fever@hotmail.com
