Clár na gComort
 Rules For Competition

Aims & Objectives

"Fleadh Cheoil" is the official title for a musical festival sponsored by a unit of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Fleadhanna Cheoil shall be held to propagate, consolidate and perpetuate our Irish traditional music,both vocal and instrumental, by presenting it in a manner worthy of its dignity, and in accordance with the aims and objectives of Comhaltas. It is not intended that competitions should merely be a means by which a competitor may gain a prize or defeat a rival, but rather as a medium in which competitors may pace each other on the road to excellence.

General Competition Rules

  1. Though all competitions are open to competitors, qualified by age, they are aimed at those willing to travel to Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann. Only those who have secured first or second prize at the 1999 Midwest Fleadh are eligible to compete at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in August, 1999. (Eligibility must be confirmed by the Midwest Fleadh Committee by June 1, 1999.)
  2. Only traditional music will be accepted in all competitions.
  3. Each tune shall be played twice only.
  4. Electronic or amplified instruments are not permitted in any category.
  5. A satisfactory standard is necessary for awarding first or any other prize.
  6. Entry forms must reach the fleadh committee no later than April 15, 1999.
  7. The Fleadh secretary may require proof of age for those competing in the under 18 classes.
  8. The adjudicator is the sole judge of merit in all other matters and the decision of the Fleadh Committee shall be final. Any complaint must be accompanied by a $50 fee; refunds will be at the discretion of the Fleadh Committee. Complaints will be reviewed by the Fleadh Committee immediately following the Fleadh.
  9. No communication with the adjudicator is permitted on the day of the competition, except through the steward.
  10. Competitors not present when called may be disqualified.
  11. A copy of the completed adjudication sheet for the competitors own entry only, are $1 per sheet. Requests should be made on the day of the Fleadh.
  12. In duets and trios, full names and addresses of all participants must be listed on the back of the entry form. Having qualified, no substitution is allowed.
  13. In solo competitions, a competitor must compete in own age group only. In duets, trios, and ceili bands, a competitor may play in a higher age group, but can play in only one of the aforementioned competitions on the same instrument.
  14. Including competitions for miscellaneous instruments, competitors are allowed to compete on one instrument only in any one competition.
  15. Video and audio tape recording is not permitted.
  16. Practice sessions or rehearsals are not allowed in or near the competition rooms. Entry or exit to competition rooms is not allowed during a competition. Spectators are required to be silent during competitions.

Eligibility

This competition is open to all musicians residing in the Midwest Region, USA, and Canada. A Competitor in the Midwest Fleadh may not compete in any other qualifying Fleadh in 1999.

Classes of Music

  • Air (Slow or lively)
  • Jig (double, single, slip)
  • Slide
  • Reel
  • Polka
  • Hornpipe
  • March
  • Set Dance

Grade (Age Classifications):
(Age as of January 1, 1999)

a=Under 12 years old
b=12-15 (15 year olds who turn 15 after January 1)
c=15-18 (15 year olds who turn on or before January 1)
d=18 or over
e=Any Age
f=Under 18

Solo Competition Categories

  1. Fiddle a/b/c/d
  2. Two Row Button Accordion a/b/c/d
  3. Concert Flute a/b/c/d
  4. Tin Whistle a/b/c/d (6 hole penny-whistle styles only)
  5. Piano Accordion a/b/c/d
  6. Concertina a/b/c/d
  7. Uilleann Pipes a/b/c/d
  8. Harp a/b/c/d
  9. Mouth Organ a/b/c/d
  10. Banjo a/b/c/d
  11. Mandolin a/b/c/d
  12. Piano a/b/c/d
  13. One Row Melodeon (old style) a/b/c/d
  14. Bodhran a/b/c/d
  15. Big Pipes (Píob Mhór) a/b/c/d
  16. Miscellaneous Instrument a/b/c/d (any instrument not listed above)
  17. Ceili Band Drummer a/b/c/d

Solo Competition Requirements

  • Grades "a" & "b": One tune from each of TWO music classes
  • Grade "c": One tune from each of THREE classes.
  • Grade "d": One tune from each of FOUR classes, but must include a Slow Air in the case of fiddle, tin whistle, concert flute, and uilleann pipes.
Music categories (classes) are listed above.

Solo Slow Airs Categories

18. Fiddle a/b/c/d
19. Uilleann Pipes a/b/c/d
20. Concert Flute a/b/c/d
21. Tin Whistle a/b/c/d


Solo Slow Air Requirements
(Only airs based on the traditional airs and not on modern arrangements shall be accepted.)
  • Grade "a": TWO Airs.
  • Grades "b" and "c": THREE Airs.
  • Grade "d": Competitor submits a list of EIGHT Airs. The adjudicator selects THREE for the competitor to play.

Ensembles

22. Duet a/b/c/d
23. Trio a/b/c/d
24. Ceili Band a/b/c/d
25. Grupai Cheoil a/b/c/d
26. Accordion a/b/c/d
27. Flute Band a/b/c/d
28. Miscellaneous f/d
29. Pipe Band e
30. Accompaniment a/b/c/d


Ensemble Requirements

Accompaniment: This competition is restricted to the following instruments: piano, harp, guitar, bouzouki-type instruments. The aim of the competition is to adjudicate on the accompaniment only.

Duets and Trios

A senior duet shall comprise two different instruments. A senior trio shall comprise at least two different instruments. (Not applicable to other grades.) In the case of Duets and Trios, all participants must at all times play the melody of the tune.
  • Grades "a" and "b", one tune from each of TWO classes.
  • Grade "c". One tune from each of THREE classes.
  • Grade "d". One tune from each of FOUR classes.

Ceili Bands
(Minimum of 5 members, maximum of 10)
  • Grades "a" and "b": One tune from each of TWO classes.
  • Grade "c": One tune from each of THREE classes.
  • Grade "d": One tune from each of FOUR classes.

Grupai Cheoil
(Minimum of 4 members, maximum of 20 members)

Own choice of music for a maximum of seven minutes. Marks will be deducted for exceeding or falling short of this time. Whistlers and lilters may be included, as well as players of bodhran and bones, but piano and drums are not permitted. Efforts should be made to play tunes other than jigs, reels, and hornpipes. Slow airs, set dances, old marches, harp music, to give a good variety of music. Attention should also be given to instrumentation and presentation. Slow airs are to be played on solo instruments only.

Marching Bands

Shall play TWO Marches

Pipes Bands

Shall play TWO Marches and ONE hornpipe

Solo Traditional Singing and Other Competition Categories

31. Irish Singing: Ladies a/b/c/d
32. Irish Singing: Men a/b/c/d
33. English Singing: Ladies a/b/c/d
34. English Singing: Men a/b/c/d
35. Whistling a/b/c/d
36. Lilting a/b/c/d
37. Newly Composed Songs: Irish a/b/c/d
38. Newly Composed Songs: English a/b/c/d
39. Ceili Dance Competition
40. Set Dancing Competition (nonqualifying)


Requirements - Solo Traditional Singing and Other Competition

Lyrics for newly composed songs must be submitted in writing with entry. (Songs in waltz time should be avoided at all grades).
  • Grade "a": Each competitor shall choose and sing TWO full songs-slow and lively. No list of songs is required in this age group.
  • Grades "b" and "c": Competitors shall submit to the adjudicator a list of FOUR songs-two slow and lively. Each competitor shall select one song, the adjudicator will then select the second song from the other category.
  • Grade "d": Competitors submit to the adjudicator a list of SIX soungs-four slow and two lively. This list must indicate which songs are classed as lively. The competitor shall select one song from either category, and the adjudicator will then select the second song from the other category.

Set Dance Competition

Groups of eight dancers may present up to four figures from a recognized county set. Entry fee is $40 per group. Music will be provided. Open competition for any age. (Competition #40) This is a nonqualifying event.

Competition Fees

For 1998-99 Comhaltas members:
  • $8 per entrant for one solo competition
  • $4 for each additional solo competition
  • $4 per member for Duets, Trios,
  • $3 per member for Marching Bands
  • $3 per member for Pipe Bands
  • $30 Grupai Cheoil/Ceili Bands
Please note: A family will not have to pay more than $50 in fees. Non-Comhaltas members need to add $5 for competitors under age 18 and $15 for competitors over age 18. CCE membership is available on the entry form.
ENTRY DEADLINE: APRIL 16, 1999

Contact for Entries

Entries MUST be received by April 16, 1999. Entries received after that date must be approved by the Fleadh committee and will be subject to a $20 late fee which must be paid before the competition. Mail entries along with entry fees to:

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann
c/o Karen Law
1407 N. Pleasant
Royal Oak, MI 48073

fax: (248) 837-8418 You may also fill out an on-line registration form but will be responsible to have a cheque ready the day of the event.

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Revised 02-Feb-99