Auburn Bluegrass Festival II

Saturday October 6 Gold Country Fair Grounds

Auburn California

2007 Auburn Fiddlin’ & Pickin’ Competition

Contestants perform around a single microphone on the Auburn Fairgrounds main stage on Saturday October 6^th beginning at 10:00 a.m. and finals take place Saturday October 6^th at 11:30 a.m. at the same place. Prizes will be awarded at 2:45 p.m. with an invitation for the winners to play their favorite competition piece. Awards include cash prizes and more...  Registration begins August 15^th, 2007 at 8 a.m. PST.  To register, fill out the registration form and send a $10.00 check or money order with your name, address, phone number, instrument and mail to:

      Auburn Bluegrass Festival

      Attn: Kathryn_Scott

      5825-Bell-Road

      Auburn,-CA-95602

      picknfiddle@livefromauburn.com or 530-401-2334

2007 Competition Rules

• Because the contest takes place on the Festival grounds, you must have a ticket to the Festival to participate.
• Please note: Contestants are required to use one stage mic for the preliminary and final rounds of the contest.
• No more than 21 total contestants will be registered for the contest in one of three categories; advanced, intermediate and beginning. All ages may register at any of the levels.
• The music should be "Bluegrass," "Old Time", "Western Swing" or "New Acoustic/Newgrass".
• Recommended time limit: 3 minutes per song for advanced and intermediate and 2 minutes for beginners. The judges mark you down if a selection significantly exceeds the time limit.
• No electric instruments or pickups allowed.
• Each contestant plays 1 song in the preliminaries and 2 songs in the finals.
• A Repeat of the song played in the preliminary round is not allowed in the final round.
• One backup musician is allowed and again NO electric instruments or pickups allowed.

Competition Prizes

            Advanced  Intermediate  Beginning

• 1st Place: $150   $100   $75
• 2nd Place: $100   $75   $50
• 3rd Place: $75   $50   $25   
• Prizes awarded following final rounds at 2:45 on the main stage
• Limited number of contestants per category

Competition Schedule

• Preliminaries: Saturday, Oct. 6^th  10:00 a.m., Main Stage
• Finals: Saturday, Oct. 6^th, 11:30 a.m., Main Stage
• Awards: Saturday, Oct. 6^th, 2:45 p.m., Main Stage

Frequently asked Questions:

1) What instruments are appropriate for a Blue Grass Fiddlin and Pickin contest?

A Fiddle, Traditional Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo, Mandolin, and Flat-picking Guitar.

2) What is the best way to fill out the Registration Form?

It's important that all information is printed clearly to help the Registrar to be accurate and for prize notification. An email address can be extremely helpful should additional information be required. Entries which are incomplete will be returned.

3) Can I email or fax my entry?

No. In all fairness to those who cannot register via email or fax, entries are accepted only by U.S. Mail and are accepted based on the postmark.

4) How many times can I enter?

You may enter only one single time.

5) What are the entry fees?

Each contestant must pay one entry fee. Currently the entry fee is $10.00 but is subject to change until the official entry is printed or available on our web site. Each contestant must also purchase a festival ticket.  Family and friends may purchase their tickets on the day of the contest.

6) What time should I check-in?

You must check in at the on-site Registration Table (which is next to the Main Gate) within 30 minutes before your scheduled playing time or your spot will be given to someone on the waiting list. If you have travel or other considerations that restrict the time of day that you perform, please contact the Registrar immediately at the direct phone number listed on your Contestant Letter.

7) How do I know if my entry has been accepted?

You will be notified well in advance of the Contest should your entry be denied. Your check will be returned if your entry is not accepted. Entries are denied when a category becomes "full" or the maximum number of contestants have been pre-registered. Entries are accepted in order received by postmark. Generally, contestant tickets and assigned contestant numbers are mailed out two weeks prior to the Contest. If you need to withdraw your entry, please call (530) 401-2334.  To receive a refund you must withdraw your entry two weeks prior to the Festival date.

8) How much time do I get to compete?

Contestants in the Advanced and Intermediate categories are allotted 3 minutes per song. Contestants in the Beginning category are given 2 minutes per song.   Each contestant is to perform 1 song in the preliminary round.  Should a contestant advance to the final round 2 songs are to be performed.

9) What level should I enter: Beginning, Intermediate, or Advanced?

Your level should be determined by your expertise, not your age. Please see the "Judging Criteria" page for additional information. Keep in mind that the Judges have the option of "bumping you up a level" but will not lower your playing level. Choose your level carefully.

10) Where do I compete?

All competitors will compete on the main stage and the competition will start at 10:00 a.m.  You must sign in 1 hour before your competition time indicated in your acceptance letter.

11) Should a category become full, is there a waiting list?

Yes. The Waiting List will be generated the day of the Contest at the On-site Registration Table next to the main gate. If your entry has been returned but you still want to compete, check in at the On-site Registration Table adjacent to the Main Gate and ask to be placed on the Waiting List. While there are no guarantees that you will have the opportunity to compete, we will make every attempt to get you into the Contest if time permits. Entrants on the waiting list will be advised around 9:45 a.m. If called, you will compete at the end of each category after all the pre-registered contestants. Please check at the On-site Registration table for confirmation that you will compete.

12) Did you follow all the rules?

If you do not follow the rules relating to the amount of allotted performance time or competition requirements you will be disqualified and you will be advised of the same.

13) If I have more questions, who can I ask?

Here's what to do:

Fill out the registration (entry) form.

USPS mail the registration form to the registrar with appropriate fees.

PRACTICE - PRACTICE - PRACTICE

Await your confirmation the first week in September.

Come win prizes and have fun on Saturday October 6, 2007!!

Registration Form  

(Please print clearly, please fill out one form per contestant) 

Name_______________________________________________________________________ 

Male   Female (Circle one)   Age  __________________________  

Address ____________________________________________________________________________ 

City  _______________________  State  ____________________  Zip  _________________  

Telephone   ___________________________    Cell Phone  __________________________ 

Email  ______________________________________________________________________ 

Parent’s name   ______________________________________________________________

(if contestant younger than16) 

Instrument the contestant will play  ______________________________________________ 

Does the contestant have an Accompanist?          Yes        No       (Circle one) 

What level does the contestant play?     Beginner      Intermediate     Advanced    (Circle one) 

Registration Fee     $10.00       Auburn Bluegrass Fest Tickets $25.00     

Quantity _______ 

Please send Registration Form and Fees along with a check for the quantity of Festival tickets you would like to:

Fiddlin and Pickin Contest 
C/O Kathryn Scott, Contestant Registrar 
5825 Bell Road 
Auburn, CA 95602 
 

Scoring

Considerations

 

Suggestions for all categories:

Pick material that is within your capabilities. The point system penalizes mistakes and unevenness far more than it rewards dazzling technique.

Keep an even tempo. Start on the slow side and try not to speed up. Rehearse with your back-up if applicable, before coming to the stage.

Observe how others utilize the microphones. Crowding them causes distortion, but you must be heard to be judged.

If you wish to improve your performance for following years, please send a request to the contestant registrar to have your scores sent to you. It is valuable to know in which areas you were strong or need improvement, and to see how you fared compared to the winners in your category. Requests may be called in to Kathryn at 530-401-2334 or requested via email at kscott3@gmail.com. Good luck!