Byron Berline Youth Instrument Championships

GENERAL CONTEST RULES

• The competition is open to anyone 18 years or younger on the day of the contest, except those performing as paid entertainers by OIBF.

• All contests take place on the Youth Stage in the Youth Tent, beginning at 9:00 AM on Saturday of the festival

• Registration is open in the Youth Tent from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM on Saturday.

• Any contest with fewer than two entries will not be held.

Admission & Entry Fees

• Contestants must have a valid Saturday or Weekend wristband.

• Youth 12 and under are admitted free with a wristbanded parent, and must be accompanied by a wristbanded adult during the competition.

• Youth ages 13-16 may purchase a three-day ticket for $50 when accompanied by an adult.

• Entry fee: $10 per contestant per instrument (cash or check)

• Contestants may enter multiple instrument contests, provided they pay the entry fee for each.

• By entering, contestants grant OIBF permission to use photos of their performance for festival marketing and advertising.

Performance Guidelines

• All instruments must be played acoustically into a microphone—no amplification or electronic effects permitted.

• Each contestant may have one rhythm accompanist.

• Bass contestants may also have one lead instrumental accompanist.

• Paid entertainers may not accompany contestants.

• A festival-provided accompanist may be requested, though availability is not guaranteed. Let the registrar know as early as possible.

• Contestants must bring only one instrument on stage.

• Judges will only score contestants whose material and style are in keeping with the bluegrass flavor of the festival.
  Accompanists are not judged.

PERFORMANCE RULES

• Contestants will perform three individual tunes (no medleys).

• There must be a clear pause between each tune.

• Maximum stage time: 6 minutes per contestant, per contest.

• No singing or speaking during performance.

• Performance is not judged on audience response.

• The order of appearance will be determined by the contest chair.

• Judges' evaluations are confidential and final.

• Pause for the Train Clause: Contestants may pause once for a passing train.

• The clock stops during the train, but contestants may not speak or retune. They must restart the same song once the train passes.

JUDGING CRITERIA (100 Points Total)

1. Execution & Articulation – 40 points possible
    Judges will evaluate overall technical skill, including:

• Note Clarity – Are the notes clear and distinct?

• Tone – Do the notes have a full, rich sound, or do they sound thin or weak?

• Timing – Is the tempo steady and consistent throughout the performance?

• Dexterity – Are the notes played in challenging positions up and down the fingerboard, or is the piece mostly confined to first and/or second position?

• Accuracy – Are there frequent or noticeable mistakes?

• Tuning – Is the instrument in tune with itself?

Dynamics will also be taken into consideration in this category.

2. Arrangement – 20 points

• Originality and appropriateness of the contestant’s version

3. Expression, Dynamics & Show Value – 30 points

• Energy, feel, and stage presence

4. Overall Impression – 10 points

• General quality and musicality

INSTRUMENT-SPECIFIC CONTEST RULES

Old-Time Fiddle Championship

• Perform a hoedown, a waltz, and a tune of choice, in that order.

• Only standard-tuned 4-string fiddles allowed.

• No trick/fancy fiddling.

• Disallowed tunes: Mockingbird, Black Mountain Rag, Orange Blossom Special.

Bluegrass Resonator Guitar Championship

• Perform three instrumental numbers in traditional or contemporary bluegrass style.

• Standard tuning; capo allowed.

Bluegrass Mandolin Championship

• Perform three instrumental numbers in traditional or contemporary bluegrass style.

• Standard tuning only; capo not allowed.

Flat Pick Guitar Championship

• Perform three instrumental numbers in traditional fiddle or bluegrass style.

• Flat pick only – no fingerpicking, no mix of picking styles.

• The 6th (low E) string may be tuned to any note.

• All other strings must remain in standard tuning: E (1), B (2), G (3), D (4), A (5).

• Only standard or traditional capos permitted—no individual-string-altering devices (e.g., Third Hand Capo).

Bluegrass Banjo Championship

• Perform three instrumental numbers in traditional or contemporary bluegrass style.

• 5-string banjo only.

• Standard tuning; capo allowed.

Bluegrass Bass Championship

• Perform a waltz, a walking bass number, and a slap bass number, in that order.

• Upright acoustic bass only, in standard tuning.

• Contestant must take a melody lead for at least half of each tune.

• May be accompanied by both a rhythm and a lead instrumentalist.

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

Winning a previous year’s Youth Instrument Championship does not disqualify contestants from competing again in any or all categories.
Previous winners are encouraged to return and compete as long as they meet all eligibility requirements.

Youth Band Contest 

ELIGIBILITY & GENERAL RULES

• Returning Youth Band Winners are welcome and encouraged to compete again, as long as they meet all rules listed below.

• Bands must include two or more members, with at least one member age 18 or younger on the day of the contest.

• All musicians must be 18 or younger, unless they are performing only on the Cottonwood Creek Campground Stage. Paid performers on any other OIBF stage may not participate in the contest.

• Adult accompanists are permitted only if they are not paid entertainers on any OIBF stage except Cottonwood Creek Campground Stage.

• All contestants must wear a valid Saturday or Weekend festival wristband.

• Youth 12 and under receive free admission with a wristbanded parent, who must accompany them at all times during the contest.

INSTRUMENTATION & PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES

• Instruments must be traditional acoustic bluegrass instruments.

• No amplification or electric instruments are allowed, with the exception of an electric bass guitar, which may be used independently (not through the festival’s sound system).

• Bands will perform up to three bluegrass-style songs.

• At least two songs must include vocals.

• All instruments must be played acoustically into a microphone.

• Each song must be introduced by a designated band spokesperson.

• “Pause for the Train” Clause: If a train passes, bands may pause once and restart the same song once the train has cleared.

REGISTRATION & CONTEST FORMAT

• Registration takes place Saturday morning in the Youth Tent between 8:00–9:00 a.m.

• The contest begins at 11:00 a.m. on the Youth Stage inside the Youth Tent.

• In the event that the instrument competitions run long, the band competition will immediately follow the instrument awards presentation.

• A minimum of two bands must register for the contest to be held.

• Performance order will be determined by the Committee Chair.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Judging will focus on youth performers, not adult accompanists. Points will be awarded in the following categories:

Category Points Criteria

Arrangement 30 Originality, difficulty, and creativity of song selection and structure

Execution 30 Musicianship, vocal quality, timing, and dynamics

Showmanship 30 Stage presence, audience engagement, and overall performance energy

Overall Impression 10 General impression and artistic cohesion

• Judges’ decisions are final, and scores will not be disclosed.

• Winners will be announced after final scores are tallied.

By entering, contestants grant OIBF permission to use photos of their performance for promotional purposes.