COMPETITION RULES

HOW TO ENTER:

Entries can be made on the day at the T.M.S.A. Office, but may be made at the door of events up to ten minutes before indicated starting time. Entry fees are 50p per solo class (Each of the following pairs of classes is considered to be a single class - 3 and 4, 6 and 8, 10 and 11, 5 and 23) and 25p per person for Instrumental Pairs and Instrumental Group competitions.

The Auchtermuchty Festival Society is an affiliated member of the Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland (T.M.S.A.) and the competitions will be run under T.M.S.A. rules.

 TRADITIONAL SINGING (Male & Female)

Any two Scottish traditional songs of contrasting nature, both to be sung unaccompanied; Marks will be awarded (out of 100) as follows: Traditional style (25), Liveliness or Feeling (30), Time & Phrasing (25), Tone & Pitch (10), Choice of Song (10).

 BOTHY BALLAD (Male or Female)

Any one bothy ballad to be sung unaccompanied; Marks will be awarded (out of 100) as follows: Traditional style (25), Liveliness or Feeling (30), Time & Phrasing (25), Tone & Pitch (10), Choice of Song (10).

JUNIOR AND OPEN FIDDLE AND ACCORDION. ADULT BUTTON ACCORDION, MELODEON AND TIN WHISTLE

Any three Scottish tunes of competitor's own choice, each to be played through twice, chosen from the following list: Slow Air, Slow Strathspey, Strathspey, Reel, March, Jig, Hornpipe, Scottish Waltz. Instruments should be unaccompanied. A melodeon may have one or two rows of buttons and up to eight basses. Entrants to the Open Class are not eligible for entry to the Junior Class for the same instrument. Marks will be awarded (out of 100) as follows: Style & Ornamentation (20), Liveliness or Feeling (20), Command of Instrument (20), Rhythm & Phrasing (10), Time (15), Accuracy (15).

JUNIOR TIN WHISTLE

Competitors should play any two tunes, preferably Scottish.

 JUNIOR AND OPEN MOUTH ORGAN. ADULT JAWS HARP & DIDDLING

Two pieces of the competitor's choice from the following list, each to be played through twice: Slow Air, Slow Strathspey, Strathspey, Reel, March, Jig, Hornpipe, Scottish Waltz. Instruments should be unaccompanied. Marks will be awarded (out of 100) as follows: Style & Ornamentation (20), Liveliness or Feeling (20), Balance & Coherence (20), Rhythm & Phrasing (15), Time (15), Tone and Tuning (10).

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP

Two or more pieces of the competitors' choice from the following list: Slow Air, Slow Strathspey, Strathspey, Reel, March, Jig, Hornpipe, Scottish Waltz. Playing time not to exceed five minutes; Group to consist of between three and seven instruments of any description; Any two groups should no have more than one player in common. Any competitor who wishes to enter the competition more than once must play a different instrument each time. Marks will be awarded (out of 100) as follows: Liveliness or Feeling (20), Style & Ornamentation (20), Balance & Coherence (20), Rhythm & Phrasing (15), Time (15), Tone & Tuning (10).

INSTRUMENTAL PAIRS

Competitors should play their own selection of Scottish Traditional tunes. The total playing time of which should not exceed five minutes; Tunes should be chosen from the following list: Slow Air, Slow Strathspey, Strathspey, Reel, March, Jig, Hornpipe, Scottish Waltz. Any competitor who wishes to enter the competition more than once must play a different instrument each time. Two instruments only to be used per entry; Competitors should play as a pair, not as one instrument accompanying the other. Marking will be as for Instrumental Groups.

NEW TUNE

A Tune written in the Scottish traditional style of competitor's own choice, to be played through twice, either by the composer or some other person; Style to be chosen from the following list: Slow Air, Slow Strathspey, Strathspey, Reel, March, Jig, Hoenpipe, Scottish Waltz. Competitors must have a copy of the manuscript to present to the judge on the day. Only one entry per person.

 STORYTELLING

Traditional Scottish or Scottish version of a story or tale not to exceed ten minutes; Marks will be awarded (out of 100) as follows: Traditional character (20), Structuring (20), Narrative style (20), Use of language (20), Oral delivery and expression (20).

 MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUMENT

Any instrument not included in other categories. Other rules as for fiddle.

 LOCAL SINGER

Competitions for local singers are held within the traditional singing competitions for men and women. Local is taken to mean the Howe of Fife from Burnside and Strathmiglo to Cupar and New Inn, extending to Newburgh in the north.

CHILDREN'S SINGING

Open to any child under the age of sixteen who should sing any one traditional Scottish song. Marking rules as for adult singing.