PLEASE NOTE:
The commercial use of any portion of the Jamboree program by film, video, or audio is strictly prohibited by law without the written authorization of the Jamboree Officials.

TIME LIMITS:
Because of the varying number of participants in each category, time limits may sometimes be necessary. Please check rules on your event. It is the responsibility of the Contestant to hear the event called from the stage. Failure to respond after the 3rd call may result in elimination and forfeit of entry fees.

PARTICIPANTS:
All amateur musicians and dancers are invited to participate - no professionals please! (Professionals are defined as those earning 50% or more of total income through performing)

 Board members, committee members, or any helper of the Jamboree MAY NOT enter and participate in any competition.

I. GENERAL GUIDELINES:

1. Electric amplification, drums, or any percussion instrument will not be permitted.


2. Three finalist will be selected in all categories.* (The three finalist in junior and senior fiddler will draw for position).


3. All contestants in All categories will play one tune only during eliminations.


4. In selecting the Grand Champion Fiddler ("Fiddle-off") from winners of the Junior and Senior Fiddler competition, each contestant will play three tunes; one fast song, one
waltz, and one tune of the fiddlers' choice.


5. In the "individual performer categories" each contestant may perform unaccompanied, or accompanied by no more than 2 instruments.


6. The integrity of each competition category will be protected and each contestant will be responsible for entering the correct and appropriate category.


7. The decision of the Judges will be final!


8. Those signing up first will perform last! Names will be called from the sign-up list in reverse order!


9. Contestants winning a category for two consecutive years, must sit out one year before competing again.


10. The Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree reserves the right to make changes at any time.
 

II. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES:

1. 0ld-Time Appalachian Folk-Singing (solo/ duet)
Maximum of 2 instruments. Maximum 3 minutes (no taped music). Event will be timed. Violation of time limit will result in deduction of points on score. Only Appalachian Folk-Songs may be sung, as this is an "Appalachian Folk-Song" competition.


2. Guitar, Flat-Top
Emphasis on clarity of tone, timing and rhythm.


3. Junior Clogging (ages 13-39)
Emphasis on rhythm, timing, energy, appearance of dress, expression, and authenticity. Shoes must be worn. This is NOT a restricted dance. Dancers will dance only one time in both eliminations and finals.


4. Junior Buckdancing (ages 13-39)
Emphasis on feet as well as rhythm, timing, energy, appearance of dress, expression, and authenticity. Foot, arm, and upper body movement should be limited. The feet should not be higher than 6" off the floor during the entire dance performance. Arms should not be flounced but should be held loosely at the sides of the body, keeping the head and shoulders as level as possible. Shoes and taps must be worn.


5. Dobro Guitar
Emphasis on clarity of tone, rhythm, timing and style.


6. Dulcimer (Mountain)
Emphasis on sound, rhythm, timing, and execution.


7. Dulcimer (Hammer)
Emphasis on sound rhythm timing, and, execution.


8. Novelty Event
Anything novel in keeping with "Old-time Appalachian" theme. (Spoon Clacking, jug blowing, washboard, tub, saw etc .) Taped music may be used, however, music must be ready and lined up for the sound man. Lack of preparation on your part will affect scoring.


9. Old -Time Fiddle Band
Emphasis will be placed on Old-time Appalachian-Style music one Fiddle as lead instrument. One tune will be permitted in the eliminations and in the finals. Vocals are optional. Band members may not play in more than one band in that same event. Failure to comply will result in NO SCORE for your group.


10. Autoharp
Clarity of tone, rhythm, timing, and style.


11. Gospel Singing (Solo only)
Acapella or accompanied by maximum of 2 instruments only. NO taped music. Emphasis on authentic gospel songs. No more than 2 complete verses may be sung.


12. Country Harmonica
Use of chromatic or double-reed instrument will not be permitted - single-reed instruments only.


13. Old-Time Banjo
Resonator-type banjo not permitted. Emphasis on authentic mountain style. Picks are not permitted.


14. Gospel Singing ( duet, trio, quartet)
Emphasis on harmony, style, execution, and authentic gospel songs. No more than 4 instruments permitted.


15. Mandolin
Emphasis on tonal quality, execution, timing, rhythm and styling.


16. Junior Fiddlers* (ages 13-39)
Emphasis on clarity, tone, timing, and execution and adherence to "old time" authenticity. Trick and fancy are discouraged. Failure to comply with the guidelines outlined herein will result in point reduction when scoring. Decision of judges will be final.


17. Junior Old-Time Appalachian Flat-Foot Dancing (ages 0-39)
All performers will compete individually to the same tune. Shoes must be worn. No taps on shoes. This event should consist of authentic old-time dancing in the "true flat-foot style. Emphasis on authenticity, rhythm, timing, and execution. Arms should not be flounced but should be held loosely at the sides of the body. The feet should be kept parallel to the floor and as close to the floor as possible.


18. Senior Old-Time Appalachian Flat-Foot Dancing (ages 40 and over)
All performers will compete individually to the same tune. Shoes must be worn. No taps on shoes. This event should consist of authentic old-time dancing in the "true flat-foot style. Emphasis on authenticity, rhythm, timing, and execution. Arms should not be flounced but should be held loosely at the sides of the body. The feet should be kept parallel to the floor and as close to the floor as possible.


19. Senior Buckdancing (ages 40 and over)
Emphasis on feet as well as rhythm, timing, energy, appearance of dress, expression, and authenticity. Foot, arm, and upper body movement should be limited. The feet should not be higher than 6" off the floor during the entire dance performance. Arms should not be flounced but should be held loosely at the sides of the body, keeping the head and shoulders as level as possible. Shoes and taps must be worn.


20. Senior Clogging (ages 40 and over)
Emphasis on rhythm, timing, energy, appearance of dress, expression, and authenticity. Shoes must be worn. This is NOT a restricted dance. Dancers will dance only one time in both eliminations and finals.


21. Bluegrass Banjo
Resonator type Banjo will be permitted. Emphasis on styling, clarity, intensity, authenticity, and expression. One tune will be permitted in the elimination and in the final.  Each participant may be accompanied by no more than two instruments (Base, Rhythm, Guitar etc.).


22. Bluegrass Band
Bands must have a minimum of 4 members and no more than 6 members. Bands will perform one tune in the eliminations and finals. Vocals are optional. Band members may not play in more than one band in that same event. Failure to comply will result in no score for your group.
 

National Championship Country Musician Beginners Ages 12 years and under
Age limit up to 12 years by day of event (13th birthday can not exceed program date of event.

1. Buckdancing: please refer to rule # 4

2. Clogging: please refer to rule # 3

3. Dobro Guitar: please refer to rule # 5

4. Mandolin: please refer to rule # 15

5. Banjo, Five String: please refer to rule # 21

6. Flat Top Guitar: please refer to rule # 2

7. Fiddle: please refer to rule # 16

23. Senior Fiddlers* (ages 40 and over)
Emphasis on clarity, tone, timing, and execution and adherence to "old time" authenticity. Trick and fancy are discouraged. Failure to comply with the guidelines outlined herein will result in point reduction when scoring. Decision of judges will be final.


24. Square Dancing
Dancers will dance one time in both elimination and final events. Shoes with taps must be worn. A minimum of (4) couples with a maximum of (6) couples (due to the size of the stage) will dance to one tune and will be limited to 4 l/2 minutes of dance time. Dancers will be judged according to authenticity, taste, appearance, intensity, energy, rhythm, timing, and overall expression in executing the dance. Please be aware that scoring does not end with dance routines only... Dancers are judged from the time of entering the stage, during the dance routine, and up until entire team has exited the stage. Please enter and leave in an orderly and practiced fashion. One appointed Jamboree band will play for ALL square dance teams.


25. Junior and Senior Fiddlers' Fiddle-off for Grand Championship and The Berry C. Williams Memorial Trophy
 

*The winner of event # 16 - Junior Fiddle and the winner of event #23 - Senior Fiddle will compete for Grand Champion Title.

Click here to: Download a copy of the Rules and Regulations
of the Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree in Adobe Acrobat

©Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree