[BOTMC_announcements] Sept. 15, Berk. String Band Contest reminder

[Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention]

From:	"Suzy Thompson" <suzy at ericandsuzy.com> 

Hi all,
Just a reminder that the Berkeley Old TIme Music Convention's String 
Band Contest will be held on Sat. Sept. 15 this year, in Civic Center 
Park.  Registration will start on Sept. 1 -- all the info is below.  I 
hope you'll want to enter this year, but PLEASE don't send me a 
registration email til after Sept. 1st!  I'll send out another reminder 
shortly before that.

Remember, any genre of music is fair game as long as a fiddle and/or 
banjo is involved, and no pickups or electric instruments.  Rules are 
the same as always (below).

This year's BOTMC is shaping up to be another great weekend of old-time 
music -- check out the website:  www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org

Thanks, and I hope to see you the weekend of Sept. 13-15!
Best,
Suzy

Pre-registration is strongly recommended!

To pre-register, please provide us with the following info:
1. Name of band (please specify if you are entering the Youth Showcase) 
- you can change band name later if you want to.
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

Please send this info to:
Email: contest at berkeleyoldtimemusic.org

Snail Mail:
String Band Contest
2935 Piedmont Ave.
Berkeley CA 94705

Phone number:  510-848-5018

On the day of the contest, Check-in and registration begins at 10:30 
AM.    All bands, whether pre-registered or registering on the day of 
the contest, MUST have someone check in at the registration table 
during registration time (10:30 to 11 AM) to receive their number for 
performing.   Contest  starts with Youth Showcase at 11 AM sharp.  
Regular String Band Contest will begin immediately afterwards.  Contest 
runs from 11 AM to about 3:00.

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

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.  Both old-time and bluegrass string bands are permitted.  
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.  Of course, musicians aged 18 or under are 
welcome to enter the regular contest instead if they wish.

Contest rules:

No entry fee.
Entry limit:  String Band Contest is limited to 20 bands total (not 
including the Youth Showcase bands).  Bands can enter via email, via 
snail mail, or during registration time the day of the contest (if 
slots don't fill up by pre-registration).  There are always some 
no-shows among the pre-registered bands, so it's worthwhile to show up 
on the day even if you didn't get it together to pre-register!

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, rebetika, Mexican, swing, 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.  This rule does not apply to 
the Youth Showcase bands.

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.

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  receive a 
certificate of merit.




       
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