2012 Band Competition

Enter our 6th Annual Band Competition!

1. Submit the following items. A screening board will listen to 5-6 minutes of each entry and decide if they will be chosen to perform at the Podunk Bluegrass Band Competition.
• an application (PDF 157KB)
• a high-quality CD
• list of shows performed the past 6 months
• band photo
• list of band members
• band bio sheet
• stage plot indicate how many vocal and instrument mics are used by your group
2. Completed applications must be received no later than March 5, 2012. 
   Send all material to:
   Podunk Bluegrass Band Competition
   80 Brandegee Lane
   Berlin, CT 06037
3. Availability to perform in the competition on Sunday, August 5, 2012.
4. Bands must adhere to the Rules and Regulations

Note:

• Bands selected to compete will be informed no later than March 15, 2012.  We anticipate accepting 5 bands to compete.
• Rosewood Sound will provide a professional audio technician to mix all bands.  However settings will be left the same throughout the competition to keep a fair level for all bands.

Grand Prize

In addition to prize money, the Champion band will receive either:

a) 2 days of studio time atMore Sound ($1,500 value). Stay for free at the furnished studio apartment and Jocko will help you produce a work of art.
or
b) mixing/mastering service on a full length album - I.E. mail home recorded tracks andMore Sound will mix it (approximate $1,500 value). This is great for those folks who have a small recording setup at home but want to really take the final product to the next level.

More Sound recording studio: Check out this fantastic studio
http://www.moresound315.com
cell: 315.569.2810
fax : 315.410.5374
email: jocko@moresound315.com

Prize Money:

• 1st place $1,000 plus a slot at 2013 Podunk, fee to be negotiated, and grand prize
• 2nd place $750
• 3rd place $600
• 4th place $500
• 5th place $400

Fan Favorite

Audience members will vote for their favorite band. Votes will be sold for $1.00 a piece and the audience will place tickets in the bucket of the band of their choice. Audience members will be able to cast votes up to 20 minutes after the last band has played. After that boxes will be removed and numbers will be tallied. The band that has the most tickets in their bucket will be declared the winning band. Proceeds fromthe buckets will go towards the Podunk Kids' Academy. Bandmembers are expected to be present for the presentation.

Judging

We will have qualified panel of judges. The bands meet with judges afterwards to be given feedback to their performance. Judging will be based on the following categories:

1. Content - Repertoire
1. Appropriateness of material
2. Originality
3. Use of time
4. MC Work
2. Originality
   1. Original material
   2. Interpretation of others works
3. Musical Ability
   1. Vocal
      1. Lead
      2. Phrasing
      3. Pitch
      4. Emotiveness
   2. Harmony
      1. Pitch
      2. Emotional Expression
   3. Instrumental ability
      1. Tone
      2. Difficulty
      3. Appropriateness
      4. Rhythm
      5. Timing
   4. Stage Presence
      1. Group Communication
      2. Audience appeal and entertainment value
      3. Appearance
      4. Use of Time
      5. MC Work
      6. Overall Impression

Performance On The Workshop Stage

All bands selected are invited to play a 30 minute set on theWorkshop Stage on either Friday or Saturday. Once slots are selected you will be expected to arrive and perform at that time. This is not judged and available to the bands in the competition only.

Rules & Regulations

1. All bandsmust arrive at least an hour before the start of the contest on Sunday.
2. Each band will be allowed up to 30 minutes total for set-up, performance and tear down. For example: 5 minutes set-up, 20 minutes performance and 5 minutes tear down. Set-up and tear down time will overlap with the bands preceding and following your own for less down time.
3. Each bandwill be responsible for keeping track of their own time. Judgeswill also be keeping track for their own records. Points will be deducted for playing over the time limit.
4. Any bandmember who appears to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any other controlled substance will result in band disqualifications.
5. Recommended time limit: 3-5 minutes per song.
6. Bands need to adhere to the bluegrass theme and style o fmusic. Three band selectionsmust be the following types:
   1. A slow vocal song,
   2. An instrumental song
   3. A fast vocal song. Tempos are relative.
7. Bands will be required to play the winning song of the Songwriters Competition. The words and CD with the song will bemailed to each band in June to learn the song. Pitch and tempomay be changed but the integrity of the song should stay intact.
8. There will be no electrical amplification of instruments except bass allowed.
9. One optional microphone for bass will be provided.
10. Up to five vocal microphones will be provided.
11. All acoustical instruments must be used.
12. After you have been notified of your acceptance, Podunkmust be notified in advance of any personnel changes. Failure to complymay result in disqualification.
13. No drum sets or standing percussion allowed.
14. Bands entering the contest may have no common members.
15. Bandsmay consist of 3-6members. Themusic should be "Bluegrass" or "Old Time" we will consider bands that are bluegrass in the broadest sense but will expect the bands performance to respect the fact that this is a "Bluegrass Festival".
    

Where To Park or Camp?

All performing bandmembers will be allowed to park inMartin Park on Sunday, August 5, 2012. Camping will also be available for performing bandmembers in tent or RV parking without hookups for those wishing to come early and stay on the festival grounds. All others will be allowed to park or camp at regular ticket prices.

Complete festival information may be found on the web or by calling Roger Moss at (860) 828-9818.

The Podunk BluegrassMusic Festival will celebrate its 17th year with an outstanding line-up the exemplifies our history. The festival will run from Thursday, August 4th through Sunday, August 7th atMartin Park in East Hartford, Connecticut. People always ask, "How nice can this festival be if it's in a city?". But once you arrive at Martin Park you will find all the city sounds melt away and the mature park keeps the city sounds out and the bluegrass in.