Fiddle Contest
Rules for All contests
Texas State Championship Fiddlers' Frolics

Fiddle Contest Rules
1. The contest judges run the contest : We try to select competent fiddle players – several are past Texas State Champions – who are both fair and honest to judge the Texas State Championship Fiddlers Frolics. Accordingly, we give them wide latitude and discretion in determining their judging criteria and implementation of the following rules.

2. Registration and order of play : We register contestants at the contest rather than require them to pre-register before they arrive in Hallettsville. We then have the registered contestants draw numbers for the order in which they will play, which usually occurs about five minutes before the individual contest begins. If you are running late, please let us or a friend know, so that we can register and draw for you. Any contestant not registered before the drawing begins for order of play will not be allowed to compete in that contest.

3. Acoustic instruments, and accompanists : The contest is open to acoustic instruments, only. Fiddlers may have as many as three guitars–six-string or tenor–plus one bass for a maximum of four accompanists.

4. Types of tunes to be played : Judges will determine at the time of the contest the number and types of tunes to be played, based upon the number of contestants and time available. Contestants should expect to play a breakdown and tune of choice. The judges in years past have requested contestants to play waltzes, swing tunes, rags, hornpipes, reels, polkas and even a schottische. No tunes are automatically barred, but cross-tuning is not allowed.

5. No time limits or medley : There are no time limits per tune, and contestants are expected to play a tune completely. We do not require the contestants to combine tunes into a medley.

6. No tune played twice by the same contestant: Except for any round-robin playoff or as otherwise advised by the judges beforehand, a contestant may not play the same tune twice during the contest.

7. Scoring : All divisions are normally judged by the same five judges. We pick up the numeric score from each of the five judges after each contestant has played each tune. We then enter those scores into a computer that throws out the high and low numeric score, and sums the three remaining scores. After the first round, the judges, using the computer scores, determine the contestants to be called back for the next round. Rounds will continue until the judges are able to rank and pay contestants, as determined by aggregate scores, in accordance with the places set forth in Prize Money. We do not post aggregate or individual scores.