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SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010 GREAT AMERICAN
“BIG” IRISH FAIR & MUSIC FESTIVAL
CELTIC HARP COMPETITION
APPLICATION
PURPOSE
To encourage harp players to become competent performers of Celtic music, to broaden their repertoire of Celtic music and to further cooperation of harp groups and organizations involved in Celtic music.
VALUE OF COMPETITION
The Great American Irish Fair & Music Festival recognizes the value of harp competition as a way for competitors to show mastery of Celtic harp skills and to share the cultural significance of Celtic harp music with the community presented in a public forum.
ELIGIBILITY
Anyone may enter the harp competition.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
- All Music must be memorized
- All music must be Celtic in nature. (Irish, Scottish in the lowland or Gaelic style, Gaelic, Breton, Cornish, Welsh or Manx)- Each competitor is responsible for having her/his harp in tune and ready prior to start of competition.
- No tuning harps in the competition area during the competition, except while on stage.
- Competitors are encouraged to participate in the Harp Circle prior to the competition.
CONTEST REQUIREMENTS
1) BEGINNERS play two contrasting pieces; Time 5-7 min.
a)An aire
b) choice of a planxty, jig, reel, hornpipe, strathspey or march
2) NOVICES play two contrasting pieces; Time 6-8 min.
a) An aire
b) choice of a planxty, jig, reel, hornpipe, strathspey or march
3) AMATEURS play three pieces; Time 10-15 min.
a) An aire
b) a reel
c) Free choice: march, jig, hornpipe or strathspey, planxty. original composition.
Medleys are encouraged but not required.
4) PROFESSIONALS play three pieces; Time 15-20 min.
a) an aire
b) a medley consisting of two to three dance tunes (jig, reel, hornpipe, strathspey, polka)
c) Free choice: march, planxty, ancient or modern Irish music, original composition
Time 15-20 minutes
Non-competitive category may perform two Celtic pieces.
Time 5-7 minutes.
6) Accompaniment to voice or other instruments is allowed; Only harp playing will be judged.
Note: Original compositions, arrangements and variations are encouraged both at the amateur and professional levels.
DEFENITION OF ENRTY CATEGORIES
Beginner: Has played the harp for less than 18 months
Novice: Has played harp for more than 18 months
Amateur: Anyone who has played more than 24 months OR has won first place in the novice categories in another harp competition.
Professional: Earns all or a significant part of your income by playing the harp or have recorded with the harp as the primary instrument, or have won first prize in Amateur competition.
Non-Competitive: This category is for those who wish not to compete, but would like to have the experience in a public setting. Participant will receive a judge’s score including a critique with positive suggestions as in other categories but will not be placed.
VERBAL INTRODUCTION
- State your name and category competing in.
- State names of pieces and the kind of piece it is. (reel, jig etc.)
- Give a brief historical account of the tune. (Composer if known, events of the period, etc.)
DEFINITION OF TUNE CATEGORY
1. Aire: Any slow aire, pastoral, slow strathspey, lament. 4/4 time.
2. March: 4/4 or 6/8 time with heavy emphasis. Tempo 80 - 122 bpm.
3. Hornpipe: 4/4 time, slower than a reel and includes triplets in the melody. Tempo half note=80
4. Strathspey: Moderate 4/4 walking tempo 100 - 120.
5. Reel: Fast 4/4 time. Tempo 100 - 130 bpm to half note or slower.
6. Jig: Fast 6/8 or 9/8 with emphasis on the first and forth beats. Tempo 96 - 120 bpm to dotted quarter.
JUDGING & SCORING
Points are scored for the following: tone, execution, expression, creativity, performance skills (stage presence), historical knowledge and overall impression. The judge usually includes a critique with positive suggestions.
Judge’s scoring is final.
ORDER OF PERFORMANCE
The order of contestants within each category will be determined at registration table within the first half hour prior to start of the competition by the Harp Stage coordinator. Categories will go in the following order: Non-competitive, Beginner, Novice, Amateur, Professional.
PRIZES
Prizes will be awarded to all first place contestants, and up to three places, based on number of contestants.
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ENTRY FORM
There is no charge for competition, but you must BUY Fair Admission.
NAME:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDRESS----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHONE---------------------------------------------E-MAIL------------------------------------------------------
Check one
Beginner______ Novice______Amateur_______Professional_______Non-competitive_______
JUDGES
Laurie Rasmussen and Dennis Doyle
FIRST PRIZE DONATED BY SYLVIA WOODS HARP CENTER
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