Band Competition Rules
Please note: Contestants are required to use one stage mike for the preliminary and final rounds of the band contest.

• No more than 12 bands will be registered for the band contest.
• Bands may consist of 3-6 members.  The music should be Traditional (bluegrass, oldtime, blues, gospel, etc) and acoustic based.
• Recommended time limit: 3 minutes per song.  Entire set shall not exceed 10 minutes.
• No electric instruments or pickups allowed, with exception of electric bass. Only one mic will be provided for each band.
• No drum sets. Standing percussion allowed.
• Bands entering the contest may have no common members.
• Bands Score in These Categories
• 30% Material Selection (taste, difficulty, authenticity/originality...)
• 30% Instrumental Performance (includes ability of soloists and overall instrumental blend)
• 30% Vocal Performance (lead and harmony). (Only if Vocal tunes are played, otherwise this percentage will reflect again in Instrumental Performance category)
• 10% Stage Presence

Tips from the Band Contest Judges

• Music competitions are a test of nerve as much as skill.  Your ability to perform elegantly under pressure goes with the territory.
• Judges may confer to ensure fairness and consistency in the rating process.
• In the event of ties or virtual ties, the judges as a group will be allowed discretion to confer to reach a consensus regarding the winner.  If a “tie-breaker” is called, you must play one song that is different from your previous songs.  It’s a good idea to have a tie-breaker tune ready.
• The contestant order will be randomly assigned at the contest site prior to the start of the competition. 
• Contestants should not talk to the judges concerning their scores during or after the contest.  The decision of the judges is final.  Completed judging forms are not available to the contestants or the public.  If you have a formal protest, bring it to the head judge first. 

Prizes

Prizes are awarded directly after the final round!  Stay nearby if you want to reap the rewards you richly deserve.

• Straying too far from the boundaries of music that is out of the genre of American Traditional Music will affect you score negatively.  The judges are not listening for Country, Jazz, Classical, Rock and Fusion.   Idiom is important.  The judges in the end decide if your interpretation crosses over the sometimes fuzzy boundary into another world of music. 
• Failure to adhere to the required 3 songs will result in a severe point reduction to your total score.  Song medleys are NOT allowed to be used as one of the songs.
• Band winners in previous years are not eligible to enter the Band competitions.