As in the past, the NEFA contest meets all requirements for, and is certified by The National Oldtime Fiddlers Assoc in Weiser Idaho

Contestants and spectators please take note: This month, we have major news concerning judging and rules for the upcoming contest. In order to address past complaints and complications in the judging and the rules of this contest, and in order to simplify operations of our contest, NEFA has asked and received written permission from The National Oldtime Fiddlers Association in Weiser Idaho, to adopt all applicable rules and judging methods as set forth by The National Oldtime Fiddlers Association in Weiser Idaho. These rules and the methods of judging are described in this newsletter and appear below on our website. After many years of changes and modifications, NEFA’s Contest rules have become extremely lengthy and complicated while at the same time, Weiser’s rules have become simpler and less complicated. We feel that for the sake of fairness in competition, since this contest continues to be a certified contest with Weiser, we will align the rules and the judging of this contest with Weiser. We wish to thank the people in Weiser who have been very helpful in helping NEFA with this process. Weiser has been very gracious and very supportive of our contest.

RULES

NORTHEAST REGIONAL OLD TIME FIDDLERS’ CONTEST & FESTIVAL®
BARRE, VERMONT
GENERAL CONTEST RULES

1. Upon signing the contestant registration form, all commercial recording, photo and video rights are reserved and shall become the property of the Northeast Fiddlers Association®.

2. Initial order of appearance will be randomly selected by drawing numbers the day of the contest. Contestants should remain in the practice room or close proximity and be ready to play when called. Any contestant registered and not playing will be eliminated from next year’s Contest. Any contestant who harasses or threatens a judge will be automatically eliminated for the current and following year’s contest.

3. Players missing their turn will receive a 10 point penalty from the total score unless the tardiness is waived by the General Chairman.

4. All divisions are allowed up to two accompanists.

5. If a string breaks, the contestant will have the option to continue or stop. If the tune is completed it will be judged as played. If the contestant stops play, due to a broken string, he will be allowed to begin with that tune and complete his program without penalty.

6. Contestants must first play a hoedown; second a waltz; and third, a fiddle tune of choice; other than a hoedown or waltz. No contestant shall play a tune more than once during the contest. Four minute playing time will be strictly adhered to.

7. Contact microphones and amplified instruments will not be permitted during any competition.

8. No trick or fancy fiddling allowed during the contesting appearances. No cross-tuning on stage.

9. Judging criteria on individual tunes will include but is not limited to Oldtime Fiddling Style, Danceability, Rhythm and Timing, and Tone Quality. Scores will be cumulative. Points will be deducted for any violation of the above rules.

10. No sheet music shall be displayed in the contesting area.

11. Any contestant winning three consecutive years in the Champion division must either judge the following year’s Contest or sit out the Contest that year. Any contestant winning three consecutive years in the Senior-Senior, Open, Vermont, Style Specific, and Junior divisions will automatically move into Champion Division. Any Junior-Junior contestant winning three consecutive times in their division, will automatically move into the Junior division.

12. Any contestant winning a trophy or money must appear on stage to receive their awards or the awards will be forfeited.

13. Any protest must be submitted in writing to the Contest Chairman, and signed by not less than three contestants of the Contest involved within three hours of protest occurrence.

14. All decisions of the Judges and of the Contest Committee will be final.

JUDGING PROCEDURES

Two (2) sets of Three (3) qualified judges will do judging. Judges’ scores will be tabulated. Judging will be done by remote and no judge will see any contestant or hear an introduction or commentary. Contestant is identified only by number.

Judges have a firm set of guidelines that they follow throughout the competition. These guidelines will determine for each division who the winner is. The judges rotate throughout the day. The judges for each year will be listed on the website an in the contest literature.

Contestants may enter only one of the following contests:
Junior Junior Division- Contestants open to 12 years of age and younger.
Junior Division- Contestants open to 17 years of age and younger.
Vermont Division- Contestants open to all regardless of age. Must be Legal Vermont Resident.
Senior Division- Contestants must be at least 60 years of age.
Open Division- Open to all regardless of age.
Stylle Specific Division- Contestants open to all regardless of age. Must state Style.
Champion Division- Contestants open to all regardless of age.