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Rules For Competition
Aims & Objectives |
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"Fleadh Cheoil"
is the official title for a musical festival sponsored by a unit of Comhaltas
Ceoltóirí Éireann. 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
- Though all competitions are open to
competitors, qualified by age, they are aimed at those willing to travel
to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Only those who have secured first
or second prize at the 2001 Midwest Fleadh are eligible to compete at
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in September, 2001. (Eligibility must
be confirmed by the Midwest Fleadh Committee by June 1, 2001.)
- Only traditional music will be accepted
in all competitions.
- Each tune shall be played twice only.
- Electronic or amplified instruments
are not permitted in any category.
- A satisfactory standard is necessary
for awarding first or any other prize.
- Entry forms must reach the fleadh
committee no later than April 15, 2001.
- The Fleadh secretary may require proof
of age for those competing in the under 18 classes.
- 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.
- No communication with the adjudicator
is permitted on the day of the competition, except through the steward.
- Competitors not present when called
may be disqualified.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Including competitions for miscellaneous
instruments, competitors are allowed to compete on one instrument only
in any one competition.
- Video and audio tape recording is
not permitted.
- 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
- Fiddle a/b/c/d
- Two Row Button Accordion a/b/c/d
- Concert Flute a/b/c/d
- Tin Whistle a/b/c/d (6 hole penny-whistle
styles only)
- Piano Accordion a/b/c/d
- Concertina a/b/c/d
- Uilleann Pipes a/b/c/d
- Harp a/b/c/d
- Mouth Organ a/b/c/d
- Banjo a/b/c/d
- Mandolin a/b/c/d
- Piano a/b/c/d
- One Row Melodeon (old style) a/b/c/d
- Bodhran a/b/c/d
- Big Pipes (Píob Mhór)
a/b/c/d
- Miscellaneous Instrument a/b/c/d (any
instrument not listed above)
- 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": Two reels in succession,
plus one tune from ech of two other classes
- Grade "d": two reels in succession,
plus a maximum of two tunes played in succession from each of three
other classes listed above.
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 2000-2001 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, 2001
Contact for Entries
Entries MUST be received by April 16,
2001. 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 Ceoltóirí Éireann
c/o Sean Fallon
fax: (734) 420-0962 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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