Weiser Banjo Contest Rules

​Rules for Intermediate and Advanced Contests (Hooker Hall)
All styles of banjo playing are welcomed.


Awards
Intermediate Event
  • First place: Trophy, cash ($50), homemade pie
  • Second place: Trophy, cash ($25), homemade pie
  • Third place: Trophy, cash ($10), homemade pie

Advanced Event
  • First place: Trophy, cash ($75), homemade pie
  • Second place: Trophy, cash ($50), homemade pie
  • Third place: Trophy, cash ($25), homemade pie

​Rules 
  1. The order of competition in each category will be determined by random drawing.
  2. Each contestant must play two tunes of their choice.
  3. Each contestant may have a maximum of two (2) accompanists.
  4. Contestants will have 5 minutes to complete their two selections. Score will be reduced by 10 percent for time overrun.
  5. Medley tunes are not acceptable, vocals not permitted.
  6. Electric instruments are not allowed.
  7. A single condenser microphone will be provided for the contest.
  8. In case of a broken string or major tuning problem, the contestant may replay.
  9. In case of a tie or extremely close score, the judges may request a playoff.
(Rules are adapted from the annual Vandalia Gathering contest in Charleston, W. Va., sponsored by the W. Va. Division of Culture and History.)


Judges
Two to three experts selected by the contest organizers will judge. Decisions of the judges will be final. Final scores with notes will be given to contestants.


Scoring (equal weight)
  1. Intonation - Tuning and tonal qualities
  2. Timing - Accurate and consistent rhythm
  3. Difficulty - Complexity of selections
  4. Technique - Dexterity in performance
  5. Selection - Choice of tunes appropriate to category
Rules for Banjo-Fiddle Contest (outside stage)
Same approach as 2021, this is a more relaxed contest with focus on having fun while listening to some of the best banjo and fiddle players anywhere. This contest involves audience participation.


Competition Categories
  • One banjo and one fiddle, play any style


Awards in each category
  • First place: Cash ($100) and homemade pie
  • Second place: Cash ($50) and homemade pie
  • Third place: Cash ($20) and homemade pie
  • Expect Judges High Score Winner: Trophy (two)


Rules
  1. The order of competition will be determined by random drawing.
  2.  Contestant comprised of one-banjo and one-fiddle player.
  3.  Contestants will have five minutes to complete two selections.
  4.  All playing styles allowed.
  5.  Electric instruments are not allowed.
  6.  A single condenser microphone will be provided for the contest.
  7.  In case of a broken string or major tuning problem, the contestant may replay.
  8.  In case of a tie or extremely close score, the judges may request a playoff.


Judges:
  • Judging will be based on audience response with final determination made by a panel of judges good in estimating audience noise levels. After completion of final contestant, each contestant (one-banjo and one fiddle-player) will be asked to re-play a portion of one of their two songs, to remind the audience of the performance. The audience response will then be gauged by panel of judges. The “audience noise gauging judges” will make final decision on winners.
  • In addition to the above judging process, a panel of expert judges (two or more judges used in the intermediate and expert banjo contest) will score the contestants and select a first-place winner only. This winner will be recognized in addition to the audience response selection.

​Copyright
​2022