[BOTMC_announcements] Berkeley String Band Contest

[BOTMC_announcments at berkeleyoldtimemusic.org]

Hi everyone,
Just a reminder that the Berkeley Farmer's Market String Band Contest 
registration opened on Sept. 1st.    Rules are below, and are also on the BOTMC 
website (http://www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org)


Don't forget that bands cannot sign up for BOTH the contest and the cabaret. 
Contest rules are pretty much the same this year, with one exception:
 Contestants may not play in more than 2 bands, and may not play the same 
instrument in more than one band.  The Youth Showcase bands do not have to 
stick to this rule.


We made this rule so that as many people as possible have the chance to 
participate in the contest.


I'm pretty sure that all contestants will receive souvenir Farmer's Market pint 
glasses again this year.


Please help spread the word, especially to younger musicians who might want to 
be in the Youth Showcase!
..........

THE DIRECTIONS:

At the Saturday Berkeley Farmer's Market (a project of the Ecology Center)
In City Center Park, Center between Milvia and MLK, Berkeley.
Just one block from "Downtown Berkeley" BART Station, easily accessible by bus 
too!

..........

THE DETAILS:
Pre-registration is strongly recommended! See below for instructions.
Check-in and registration begins at 10:30 AM. Even bands who have 
pre-registered must show up at 10:30 to check in and receive their number. 
Contests starts with Youth Showcase at 11 AM.  Regular String Band Contest will 
begin immediately afterwards. Contest runs from 11 AM to about 3pm.

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS:

We will begin taking advance registrations via email on September 1st. Please 
do not try to register before that!

To register, please provide us with the following info (Sept. 1 or later, 
please!):
1. Name of band (please specify if you are entering the Youth Showcase)
2. Number of members and instrumentation (including vocals).  This can be 
tentative info, but it will help us in planning to have it.  If you are 
entering the Youth division, please indicate which members of your band are 18 
or under.
3. Contact person for band
4. Contact person's phone number (including area code)
5. Contact person's email address


Email this info to:  Contest at BerkeleyOldTimeMusic.org



YOUTH SHOWCASE:   The "Youth" division is for bands with any members aged 18 or 
under.  Teachers are encouraged to bring students to perform as a group.  Any 
style of traditional music is acceptable, including non-American styles.  The 
Youth Division will be a showcase (not a contest) -- all Youth Division 
participants will receive Certificates of Merit.  The Youth Showcase 
participants will play first, starting at 11:00 AM.  Rules and Criteria for 
Youth Showcase bands are the same as for the regular contest, except that at 
least one member of the Youth Showcase band must be aged 18 or under.  Bands 
may not enter BOTH the Youth Showcase and the String Band Contest.

..........

THE RULES:

1. All bands must report to the registration table during the 
check-in/registration time (between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM). The Youth Division 
will play first.  By 11:00, all bands will be given a number that signifies the 
order of contestant bands.  To make the contest run smoothly, bands should be 
backstage when the number previous to theirs is called, and ready to perform 
when their number is called. If not present, they will be disqualified. Please 
announce the name of the tune or song before you begin, but do not give 
time-consuming introductions or explanations.
2. To be judged, bands must consist of at least three but no more than seven 
members (with the exception of Youth Division which has no limit on number in 
band) . Each band must contain at least one banjo or fiddle.  Any kind of 
old-time music is fair game -- oldtime Appalachian, bluegrass, Greek, Mexican, 
etc.  No electric instruments, drums, or recorded music will be permitted. 
Electric pickups will not be permitted.
3. Contestants may not play in more than 2 bands, and may not play the same 
instrument in more than one band.  The Youth Showcase bands do not have to 
stick to this rule.
4. Vocals are encouraged!
5. Contestants and bands need to be prepared to play two selections in the 
preliminaries and one selection should they be selected as a finalist.
6. Total time for the preliminary should be no more than 6 minutes (for both 
selections).
7. Bands will be judged on rhythm/timing/pace, intonation/tonal qualities, 
expression/soul, musicianship/style, difficulty/technique and stage 
presence/ease and confidence in performance.
8. Accidents beyond the control of the contestant (such as broken strings) may 
result in a replay if the judges so merit.
9. Decisions by the judges are final.

THE PRIZES:

First prize:  $150 Berkeley Farmer's Market gift certificate (shared among band 
members) plus a choice of Farmer's Market tote bag or tee shirt for each band 
member
Second Prize:  $75 Berkeley Farmer's Market gift certificate (shared among band 
members)
Third Prize:  $50 Berkeley Farmer's Market gift certificate (shared among band 
members)

All Youth Division participants under the age of 18 will also receive a 
certificate of merit.

For more information:
Contest at BerkeleyOldTimeMusic.org