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COMPETITION RULES (updated June 2007)

Important Information:   
Please complete your entry form at the Festival Office on Saturday morning between 9.30 -11.30.

Please note:  all times are approximate and depend on number of entries.

CHILDREN'S COMPETITION RULES

Open to children of First and Middle School age (5 – 13 years) who live within a ten mile
radius of Rothbury. Please enter at the venue.

First School Canteen

Singing

• Solo, duet and group  (3-8 pupils)
• Competitors to enter no more than two classes – either solo or duet plus group

Instrument

• Solo,duet and group (3-8 pupils)
• Competitors playing one instrument to enter no more than two classes.
• Competitors playing two instruments to enter all classes if desired but must play different instruments in solo and duet.

OPEN COMPETITIONS

ACCORDION Jubilee Hall: 1.45 to 2.30pm

• Competitors entering more than one class must play different tunes in each class.
• The Judges will pay particular attention to the following points:-  accuracy, bass changes,
  rhythm, selection of tunes.
• Award for 16 years and under and Best Local Competitor

Novice & intermediate
Two tunes once through with repeats (AA:BB), one slow tune and one fast tune.

Open
Three tunes, a slow tune twice through (compulsory), and two faster tunes of the competitors
choice.

CEILIDH BAND Jubilee Hall: 3.30 to 4.30pm 

• Any band wishing to use electric/amplified instruments must be responsible for providing all necessary equipment and should note they are also responsible for such instruments being
  used at appropriate volume. Judges will deduct marks if the balance is inappropriate.
  Please note no extra time is allowed for setting up/sound checks.
• Individuals may compete in up to 2 bands. Anyone wishing to enter this competition more
  than twice, must play a different instrument in each additional band.
• Award for 14 years and under.
• Playing time up to 5 minutes.

Open: (One Class)
Selection of tunes (Band’s own choice).

NORTHUMBRIAN DIALECT POETRY & VERSE First School Canteen: 1.45 to 2.30 p.m.

• Award for 16 years and under and Best Local Competitor

Novice and Open

Original poem(s) or recitation(s) in verse, to be read by the author and to last not more
than 5 minutes.

FIDDLE: Jubilee Hall: 12.30 to 1.45pm

• The Committee encourages the inclusion of local tunes, e.g. Northumbria and The Borders.
• Competitors entering more than one class must play different tunes in each class.
• The Judge will pay particular attention to the following points:-  intonation, rhythm, style, appropriate tempo, choice of programme.
• Award for 16 years and under and Best Local Competitor.

Novice and Intermediate
Two tunes, one slow and one faster, each to be played once through with repeats (where applicable).

Open
Three tunes - a slow tune (compulsory) and two faster tunes. Playing time up to 4 minutes.

FLUTE Dovecote Room, Jubilee Hall: 2.00 to 2.30 p.m.

• Award for 16 years and under.

Open:   (One Class)
One slow tune.
One fast tune.

HIGHLAND PIPES Outdoor Stage: 4.00 – 4.20 p.m.

• Award for 16 years and under

Novice:                    A march of your own choice

Intermediate:           Your own selection of pipe tunes to last 4 minutes.

Open:                      Your own selection of pipe tunes to last 6 minutes.

HIGHLAND PIPING PAIRS Outdoor Stage: 4.20 – 4.40 p.m.

• Award for 16 years and under.

Open: (One Class) A selection of traditional pipe tunes lasting 5 minutes maximum.

INSTRUMENTAL PAIRS Jubilee Hall: 2.30 to 3.30 p.m.

• Competitors wishing to enter this class more than once must play a different instrument
  each time.
• Award for 16 years and under.

Open:  (One Class)
Duet on any two acoustic instruments.
Selection of tunes to last not more than 4 minutes.

LOWLAND PIPES All Saints Church: 3.00 to 3.30 p.m.

• Award for 16 years and under.

Open  (One Class)
Selection of traditional tunes, to last not more than 4 minutes.

LOWLAND, NORTHUMBRIAN & SCOTTISH SMALL PIPES  - DUET CLASS    
All Saints Church: 3.30 to 4.00 p.m.

• Award for 16 years and under.

Open
A duet of any of the following combination: Lowland, Northumbrian & Scottish small pipes.
Selection of traditional tunes or tunes in the traditional style, to last not more than 4 minutes.

MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUMENT First School Canteen: 1.00 to 1.45 p.m.

• Award for 16 years and under.

Open     (One class)
Open to any acoustic instrument, not represented in other solo competition (other than instrumental Pairs).
A selection of traditional tunes not exceeding 4 minutes.

NORTHUMBRIAN SMALL PIPES All Saints Church: 1.00 to 2.30 p.m.

• Competitors entering more than one class must play different tunes in each class.
• The Judge will pay particular attention to the following points:-  tuning (chanter and drones),
  rhythm, fluency, accuracy, choice of programme, overall effect.
• Award for 16 years and under and Best Local Competitor

Novice
Two tunes, one slow, one faster, each to be played once through with repeats (where applicable)
           
Intermediate
Three tunes, including one slow air or waltz. Each tune to be played once through with repeats
(where applicable).

Open
A tune with variations, plus any other two tunes of the competitor’s choice. Playing time - up to 4 minutes.

NORTHUMBRIAN PIPES – NEW TUNE All Saints Church: 2.30 to 3.00 p.m.

• Competitors restricted to a maximum of two entries.
• The same tune cannot be entered in the Original Tune Competition.
• Award for 16 years and under

Open:   (One Class)
                       
An original composition for Northumbrian Pipes (to be played on the Northumbrian Pipes) by the composer or his nominee.

ORIGINAL COMPOSITION - SONG First School Canteen: 3.30 to 4.00 p.m.

• To be performed by the composer or his nominee.
• New lyric to existing tune not allowed.
• Competitors restricted to a maximum of two entries.
• Award for 16 years and under and Best Local Competitor

Open   (One Class)

New original song composition (music and lyric) in the traditional style.

ORIGINAL COMPOSITION – TUNE Dovecote Room, Jubilee Hall: 2.30 to 3.00 p.m.

• To be played by the composer or his nominee.
• Competitors restricted to a maximum of two entries.
• The same tune cannot be entered in the New Tune Northumbrian Pipes Competition.
• Award for 16 years and under  

Open   (One Class)
                       
An original instrumental piece in the traditional idiom. 

PIPE BAND SNARE DRUMMING Outdoor Stage: 4.00 to 5.00 p.m.

• Award for 16 years and under.

Novice           March

Open              March, Strathspey, Reel.

TRADITIONAL SINGING First School Canteen: 2.30 to 3.30 p.m.

• Men and women judged separately.
• To be sung unaccompanied.
• Award for 14 years and under and Best Local Competitor.

Open  (one class)

One traditional song, from the British Isles, to last no more than five minutes.

WHISTLE & RECORDER Dovecote Room, Jubilee Hall: 1.00 to 2.00 p.m.

• Award for 16 years and under.

Open   (one Class)
                       
One slow tune.
One fast tune.

Amended Committee April 2009

Can we ask that if anyone has any unreturned cups or trophies from previous years competitions,
please be returned - Thank you.