Marble Festival Bluegrass Schedule and Entry Procedures

Festivals

Marble Festival Timeline Saturday, Oct 6th
Round 1 (max 5 min playing time)
11:00-12:30 Flat Pick Guitar
12:30-2:00 Fiddle
2:00-2:30 Judges Deliberate
Finals (4 Contestants, max 5 min playing time)
2:30-3:15 Flat Pick Guitar
3:30-4:15 Fiddle
4:15-4:45 Judges deliberate
4:45-5:00 Announce winners
5:00-5:45 Set Up for Whitepath (maybe LRB)
5:45-7:30 Whitepath
7:30-8:00 Tear down/Set-up for LRB
8:00-10:00 Lonesome River Band
***15 min increments between instruments during Finals is time for judges to determine winners, which will be announced before introduction of Whitepath.

Sunday, Oct 7th
Round 1 (max 5 min playing time)
10:00-11:00 Banjo
11:00-12:00 Mandolin
12:00-1:00 Band Competition
1:00-1:15 Judges Deliberate
Finals (4 contestants, max 7 min playing time)
1:30-2:05 Banjo
2:05-2:40 Mandolin
2:40-3:15 Band Competition
3:15-4:15 Introduce Bruce Weeks Band
4:15 Announce Winners
4:30-5:00 Bruce Weeks Band
***15 min increments between instruments during Finals is time for judges to determine winners.

GENREAL RULES AND ENTRY PROCEDURES
Contests are open to anyone of any age. There will be a maximum of 12 contestants per category and will be selected on a first come, first serve basis. Contestants will be allowed to pre-register via the website link or by phone, and the remaining spots will be available the day of the contest. For example, if there are 7 contestants pre-registered for a category, 5 spots will be available on the day of event, totaling 12. A CONTESTANT REGISTERING ON DAY OF EVENT, MUST BE REGISTERED ONE HOUR PRIOR TO COMPETITION. Contestants not present one hour before competition will be automatically eliminated. This applies to pre-registered contestants as well. For example, if the Flat-Pick Guitar competition starts at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, all 12 contestants must be registered, checked-in, and ready by 10 a.m. Contestants may contact the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce at 706-692-5600 or fax entries to: 706-692-9453. Website link for entries is: http://www.georgiamarblefestival.com/bluegrass.htm

Contestants must present a valid photo ID on the day of event, whether pre-registering or registering the day of event. Entry for individual categories is $15 and $10 for each band member in the band competition. Contestants are allowed to compete in multiple competitions, and registration procedures must be followed for each individual category competing.

Competition Rules:
All instruments must be played through a mic. Use of electronic capabilities on the instrument may not be used. Contestants will be allowed to have 1 accompanying rhythm musician on stage while competing. No vocals of any kind will be allowed by a contestant. Contestants will be introduced by the Emcee along with the songs they will be performing. Medleys of songs will not be allowed and songs must keep in flavor of the festival. This will be left up to the discretion of the judges.

1st Round
Will be a maximum of 12 Contestants. Contestants will be allowed a maximum of 5 min. If contestant feels they can play 2 songs during this time, they may do so. However, the contestant will be cut off at the 5 min mark. A contestant is not required to play the entire 5 min. For instance, he or she can play one 3 min song if they choose. If less than 12 contestants are registered, then a max of 7 min will be allowed for Round 1. (Bands will have 7 min in Round 1 and more in Finals if time permits).

Finals
Will be narrowed down to 4 contestants, competing for 3 places. Contestants will be allowed a maximum of 7 min playing time. Two songs may be played during this time. A contestant is not required to play the entire 7 min, but 2 songs by each contestant during the Finals are strongly recommended.

Tuning will be allowed during the competition but only by the use of a portable tuner or by ear. Keep in mind any tuning done during competition will affect total play time.
General Info and Rules for Individual Categories:

Flat Pick Guitar
Time of Competition: Saturday, Oct. 6th at 11:00 a.m.
Finals will be same day at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Registration: Contestants must be registered by 10:00 a.m. on Oct. 6th. If pre-registered, contestants must be present by 10:00 a.m. and checked in with photo ID.
Prizes: 1st Place $250
2nd Place $100
3rd Place Trophy

Fiddle
Time of Competition: Saturday, Oct. 6th at 12:30 p.m.
Finals will be same day at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Registration: Contestants must be registered by 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 6th. If pre-registered, contestants must be present by 11:30 a.m. and checked in with photo ID.
Prizes: 1st Place $250
2nd Place $100
3rd Place Trophy

Banjo
Time of Competition: Sunday, Oct 7th at 10:00 a.m.
Finals will be same day at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Registration: Contestants must be registered by 9:00 a.m. on Oct 7th. If pre-registered, contestants must be present by 9:00 a.m. and checked in with photo ID.
Prizes: 1st Place $250
2nd Place $100
3rd Place Trophy

Mandolin
Time of Competition: Sunday, Oct. 7th at 11:00 a.m.
Finals will be same day at approximately 2:05 p.m.
Registration: Contestants must be registered by 10:00 a.m. on Oct. 7th. If pre-registered, contestants must be present by 10:00 a.m. and checked in with photo ID.
Prizes: 1st Place $250
2nd Place $100
3rd Place Trophy

Band Competition
Time of Competition: Sunday, Oct 7th at 12:00 p.m.
Finals will be same day at approximately 2:40 p.m.
Registration: Contestants must be registered by 11 a.m. on Oct 7th. If pre-registered, contestants must be present by 11:00 a.m. and checked in with photo ID.
Prizes: Winner takes all at $1000

Competition Guidelines and Rules cont.

Flat Pick Guitar
Contestants will have (5 min in Round 1) and (7 min in the Finals). If less than 12 are registered, contestants will be allowed 7 min in Round 1. No finger picking of any kind is allowed. A 6 string or 12 string will be allowed. Detuning of the Low E string only will be permitted. ONLY capos that bar all 6 strings may be used. Use of capos only altering individual stings are prohibited, ex: Third Hand Capo or G7 capo. Contestants will be allowed 1 accompanying rhythm player if they choose.

Fiddle
Contestants will have (5 min in Round 1) and (7 min in the Finals). If less than 12 are registered, contestants will be allowed 7 min in Round 1. Players are encouraged to play a hoe down and a waltz, preferably in that order. Keep in mind, contestants will be cut off after the 5 min mark in Round 1. Contestants should keep this in mind if choosing to play a hoe down and waltz in Round 1. Contestants will have ample time to perform both in Round 2. Contestants will be allowed 1 accompanying rhythm player if they choose.

Banjo
Contestants will have (5 min in Round 1) and (7 min in the Finals). If less than 12 are registered, contestants will be allowed 7 min in Round 1. Contestants must use the 3 finger bluegrass style of banjo with finger picks. Contestants must keep in flavor with the bluegrass theme of the festival. Styles such as claw hammer, drop-thumb, frailing, plectrum or old time will be left up to judges discretion, and could result in disqualification. Contestants will be allowed 1 accompanying rhythm player if they choose.

Mandolin
Contestants will have (5 min in Round 1) and (7 min in the Finals). If less than 12 are registered, contestants will be allowed 7 min in Round 1. Contestants must keep in flavor with the bluegrass theme of the festival. Contestants will be allowed 1 accompanying rhythm player if they choose.

(cont…)

Bluegrass Band
Bands will be allowed (7 min in Round 1). If time permits, bands will be allowed (10 min in the Finals). No drums or percussion of any kind is allowed. ALL INSTRUMENTS MUST BE ACOUSTIC. No electric basses will be allowed.

Judging Criteria
100 TOTAL POINTS (individual categories)
25 POINTS: Arrangement- version of the song
25 POINTS: Execution- dynamics, timing, tone, tuning
25 POINTS: Creativity/Originality
25 POINTS: Overall impression/show value
100 TOTAL POINTS (band)
25 POINTS: Arrangement- version of the song
25 POINTS: Execution- dymanics, harmonies, cohesiveness
25 POINTS: Creativity/Originality
25 POINTS: Overall impression/show value

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