1. The “Alberta Open Class” is for Alberta residents able to provide (on request) evidence of three months consecutive residency to date.  They may also enter the other classes as in rule #2.  Any contestant winning twice in succession, will
1. drop out for one year
2. forfeit the second sponsorship funding to the Canadian Grand Masters Contest to the second place winner.
2. Contestants may enter ONE AGE related major class and either one Twin or the Traditional class.   No contestant may register in a class once that class has started.
3. Novice class ONLY may play from music a Waltz and one other tune.  All other contestants must play a Waltz, Jig and a 2/4 signature tune in PROPER DANCE TEMPO (no Fox Trot, Pattern, Clog tunes), and in the order above.  A 10 point penalty will be assessed for playing tunes out of order.  For Novice and Junior classes dance tempo rule is forgiven.
4. Time for playing is four minutes with a five seconds grace otherwise these penalties will apply:
• Over 6 - 10 seconds                1 point
• Over 11 – 15 seconds              2 points
• Over 16 - 20 seconds              3 points
• Over 20 seconds or more     20 points.
5. Twin Fiddle and Novice class both require a Waltz and a tune of choice other than a Waltz.
6. The only accompaniment allowed in the Traditional class is drumming with one’s FEET.  In all other classes, only TWO accompanists may be used. A house accompanist is supplied, but contestants may use their own. Only acoustic strings are allowed.  Accompanists must chord and may not play melody.
7. In all categories, with the exception of the Junior Twin and Novice classes, contestants must play different tunes for each round of play. No tune may be repeated, even in the event of a tie playoff. A contestant who repeats a tune loses all points for that tune.
8. In the Championship class, finalists will play a WALTZ, a JIG, and a REEL, plus a tune of choice within 5 minutes. The tune of choice must be in accepted old time fiddling style, but NOT a show tune such as Black Mountain Rag, Orange Blossom Special or Mockingbird. Double bowing (cross shuffle or double shuffle) is not allowed, and contestants doing so will lose 20 points off their total score.  Championship finalists will provide names of tunes.
9. Microphones will be adjusted as required and in case of an accident such as a fallen microphone, a broken string or power failure, the contestant may replay.
10. In case of a tie, there will be ONLY ONE PLAYOFF. The required tune will be a Reel.  Should there be a second tie, the tune would be a Jig.
11. The number of contestants in the Finals may not exceed the number of prize positions.
12. Any player in any adult category, who wins the same class 2 years in a row, must then move up one class or drop out one year.
13. Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be disqualified.  Decision will be by Contest Committee ONLY.
14. The Judges base their marks on INTONATION (i.e. tune, tone and pitch), TIMING (i.e. tempo and rhythm) and STYLE (Townsend, Ganam, Messer, Vollrath or Western are considered accepted standards). Judges’ decisions are final.
15. Three competent Judges, sitting at separate tables in front of the stage, record their marks on the score cards provided. Runners deliver the scorecards to the audit room where the results are tabulated.  
16. Each of the above criteria is scored out of 100 points.  Please note, points from the preliminary round will NOT be combined with points from the final round.
17. Contestants, and all others in attendance in the hall during the contest, are asked to shut off their cell phones during the competition.
18. The audience is asked to hold their applause until the contestant has played all three tunes.

(*) - SUBJECT TO REVISIONS

A practice place will be provided for contestants to practice & warm up prior to the event.  There will also be a piano for the contestants' use during the competition as well as a house accompanist for those contestants not having their own.

Championship (any age) $20.00 Alberta Open (any age) $10.00 Intermediate (18-59) $10.00 Senior (60-69) $ 5.00 Golden (70 +) $ 5.00 Youth (14-17) $ 5.00 Junior (10-13) no charge Novice (9 and under) no charge Twin (any age) $10.00 Junior/Twin (9 and under) $5.00 Traditional (any age) $5.00

Registrations will be accepted on site Friday: 5:00 - 9:00 pm Saturday and Sunday: 8:30-9:45 am 1 free adult admission per family for contestants under 18