DOWN HOME PSALTERY FESTIVAL NATIONAL COMPETITION RULES

This contest is open to any and all psaltery players above the beginner level.

Since we must limit the number of contestants we can handle in the competition, WE WILL ACCEPT ONLY FOURTEEN CONTESTANTS PER COMPETITION. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST FOURTEEN (14) CONTESTANTS REGISTERED. REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE AFTER THIS NUMBER IS REACHED.

Contestants will be required to perform two songs of intermediate level and above capability. Material chosen for judging should consist of one song slow in nature and one song fast in nature. Contestants must play psalteries only.  Contestants must limit the length of each song performed to no more than two verses and an ending per song. No electrical instruments will be allowed. Contestants may have one rhythm acoustical instrument for accompaniment (not another psaltery). Contestants will not be allowed to take two instruments on stage. Competition Judges reserve the right to eliminate contestants whose level of playing and selection of material or accompaniment is not in keeping with the flavor of the festival competition. A MEDLEY OF TUNES IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.  Contestants are not allowed to speak on stage. 

In an effort to judge the contest objectively and equally, the following criteria will be considered by the judges and assigned point value in each area. The judging scorecards will NOT be given out.
PLEASE NOTE: The psaltery has to be the lead competing instrument with the accompaniment or rhythm instruments secondary in nature. Contestants are not allowed to speak on stage. Judges may score each criterion within a range of lowest points to highest point value in multiples of 5 points for those specific criteria.  Adding the total scores for each song performed together and dividing this total by two will obtain the Final Overall Score.  All Final Overall Scores will be round to the nearest whole number:

40 points

ARRANGEMENT - Contestant’s presentation of the song performed. Is the melody easy to follow and complementary to the instrument? Difficulty and originality will be considered.

30 points

EXECUTION, TUNING – Bowing control and technique will be considered. Is the Psaltery tuned correctly? You will be responsible for the tuning of your own instrument.

20 points

SHOW VALUE -The music selected should be played with life and feeling. It should not appear listless nor should it drag.

10 points

OVERALL IMPRESSION

 Registration for Competition: WE WILL ACCEPT CONTEST REGISTRATIONS UNTIL ONE HOUR BEFORE THE SCHEDULED CONTEST TIME OR UNTIL FOURTEEN CONTESTANTS ARE REGISTERED. All contestants may pre-register for the contest by submitting in writing either by email or postal delivery an entry form listing their name and the two songs to be performed and the statement confirming their intention to participate in the competitions. Order of appearance will be determined by drawing a number one-half hour before the contest begins.
 

Winners will be announced and will receive their awards at the end of the Showcase

You may sign up for the National Competition at the Festival Registration Table
Or Pre-register by contacting Paulette Lucas at (205) 424-6970

 
The Down Home Psaltery Festival National Competition Awards will be as follows:

   1st Place: Trophy  2nd Place: Trophy    3rd Place: Trophy.