M
erleFest Mandolin Contest
The sounds of virtuoso mandolin playing can be heard from nearly every stage during MerleFest. Mandolin legends such as Sam Bush, David Grisman, and Rhonda Vincent show off superior skills on stage as audiences applaud each time the mandolin takes center stage. Up-and-coming mandolin players thrill audiences with their talent and excitement. The MerleFest Mandolin Contest encourages mandolin players who are not professionals to show off their talent and skill and in a friendly competition.
How do I enter?
Mandolin players should make their way to the Alumni Hall Lobby between 3:00pm - 4:00pm on the Thursday of the festival to register and receive a number. Twenty registrants will be randomly selected to join the second and third place contestants from the previous year's contest. Contestants must follow this procedure and cannot recruit a friend to hold their place in line or register for them. There is not a registration fee. Contestants must be paid festival ticket holders.
Prizes
To be announced soon!
Rules, Procedures, and Details
Eligibility: Open to all paid MerleFest ticket holders only. Advertised, paid performers of MerleFest 2009, or previous champions of the contest may not enter. Registrants must follow the procedures outlined below and final participants will be selected at random.
Format: Order of appearance will be determined by drawing a number 15 minutes before the contest begins.
In the first round, each contestant will play two instrumental numbers. Many participants choose to play one standard or traditional tune and one original or an original interpretation of a non-original tune. Medleys of tunes are not permitted. A single accompanist is permitted though not required and accompanists are not permitted a solo performance.
For the final round, each finalist will play two numbers. One will be an instrumental of their choice with accompanist if they wish and a standard vocal number assigned by random drawing During the standard vocal number, the festival will provide a singer/guitarist while the contestant accompanies and performs solos and back-up to the singer/guitarist. Each contestant will draw a song title from a hat; all songs will be moderately up-tempo bluegrass standards. Contestants will be allowed a brief consultation with the singer/guitarist regarding key, tempo, and arrangement.
Judging: In an effort to judge the contests objectively and equally, the following criteria will be considered by the judges and assigned point value in each area (final score cards will not be given out):
- Arrangement (40 Points): Contestant's version of the tune selected. Is it appropriate to the tune and instrument? Difficulty and originality will be considered.
- Execution and Tuning (40 Points): Fingering, picking, and dynamics will be considered. Is the mandolin in tune?
- Spirit (10 Points): The music should be played with life and feeling rather than appearing listless or dragging.
- Overall Impression (10 Points): The general effect of the contestant's performance.
Additional Rules and Regulations:
- Contestants may not speak into the microphone.
- Contestants must play only acoustic mandolins. No electrical instruments will be allowed for contestants of accompanists.
- Contestants may have one rhythm instrument player for accompaniment. Contestants will not be allowed to take two mandolins for their own use on stage.
- MerleFest reserves the right to eliminate contestants whose style of playing and selection of material is not in keeping with the flavor of the festival.
- A medley of tunes is not permitted.
- Contestants may not repeat a song due to broken strings.
- All contestants must follow the registration procedures.
Congratulations to the 2009 Contest Winners
1st Place - Bryan McDowell
2nd Place - Jesse Daniel
3rd Place - Caleb Courtner