Yonder Mountain Harvest Festival is having the First Annual Fiddlin’ and Pickin’ Contest! Don't miss your chance to compete in one of the four competitions: Mandolin, Banjo, Flat Picking, and Fiddle-- submissions will be accepted up to 15 minutes before the competition and are available on the website. Even if you aren't a Fiddler or Picker be sure and stop by during the competitions to check out all the talent! Contests will be held on October 13, 14, and 15th. Please note that competitions will be held within the Harvest Festival grounds for Harvest ticket holders only.
Contests are open to anyone attending the Harvest Music Festival with a paid festival ticket. No paid performers or artists on the lineup will be allowed to enter the contests.
Each contest will include ALL contestants who have successfully registered and paid the $10 registration fee prior to the start of the contest via online or on site submissions. On site submissions will be accepted during the contests’ check-in times. CASH ONLY for on-site submissions. If you have any questions after reading through the submission form and rules, please email brandi@pipelineproductions.com.
All contestants MUST check in during the designated times for the contest they are entering. Contestants will be assigned a number which will determine order of performance as well as identification of contestants to the judges. If you do not check-in during the time designated for the contest you would like to be in, you may be disqualified.
| CONTEST CHECK-IN TIMES: | ||
| Mandolin | Thursday 10/13 | 10:15am-10:45am |
| Fiddle | Thursday 10/13 | 12:15pm-12:45pm |
| Flat picking | Friday 10/14 | 10:15am-10:45am |
| Banjo | Friday 10/14 | 12:15pm-12:45pm |
Contestants will be asked to play 2 songs during the first round and 2 different songs should they be invited to the finals Maximum playing time is 5 minutes per round. Contestants still playing after the 5 minute cut-off will be asked to stop which may affect their overall score.
Songs may be from any genre and do not need to be original. No vocals or lyrics will be allowed.
Contestant must only play one instrument. Multiple instruments per contestant are not allowed. Only one accompanist allowed per contestant. Instruments must be played acoustically into microphone. Any electrical capability of the instrument is prohibited to be used during performance.
Contestants may not talk on stage. The judges will announce the contestant number and song titles to be performed directly prior to contestant entering the stage. Once the 2 songs are performed or the time limit is up, the contestant must exit the stage.
Top 3 winners of the first round will be invited to play Saturday during the final round of their contest. The contestants of the final rounds much follow the same rules given for first round. Winners of each contest will receive a cash prize.
Judging will be based off of assigned point values in each area.
Execution-10pts: Ability to maintain good pitch, dynamics, tone, and overall control of the instrument and piece played.
Rhythm 10pts: Ability to keep an even or danceable tempo throughout the song.
Difficulty/Uniqueness- 10pts: Difficulty of the piece played and uniqueness of the piece chosen.
Expression- 10pts: Ability to express personality and style through performance. It’s all about the life and feeling put into it!
