The following are the rules governing the Flute Players' Competition at the 2010 Native Rhythms Festival.

Competition Eligibility

1.      Except as noted below, flute players of all levels of experience are eligible to compete. However, we intend this competition to highlight the skills of developing players at various stages of their flute-playing journey, from beginner to advanced. Exceptions:

·         No performers receiving compensation in any form to perform at this event will be permitted to enter.

·         No member of the Native Rhythms Festival organizing committee may enter.

2.      Only 5- (mode 1) or 6-hole (mode 1&4) single chamber, pentatonic minor tuned Native American style flutes are permitted. For example, competitors may not use (1) multi-chambered drone or “harmony drone” or other such instruments, or (2) Native American Flutes with “non-standard” tunings, or (3) Anasazi, Hopi, Quena or other rim-blown flutes. Flutes may be of any material: wood, bamboo, river cane, ceramic, etc. and may be in any key.

3.      All entrants will perform solo. No accompaniment, either rhythmic or melodic, will be permitted. No electronic enhancement (echo effects, etc.) will be permitted. All competitors will perform using only the sound system provided by the event organizers.

4.      The fee for participation is $20.00 (checks made payable to “NHGI”). Application fees are not refundable.

5.      All flute players’ competition entrants will receive a necklace with the event’s Kokopelli image imprinted on Jerusalem stone. Photos of necklace (with last year’s date) will be available on our event website at http://www.nativerhythmsfestival.com/Competitions.htm.

Competition Rules and Procedures

1.      The Native Rhythms Festival organizing committee will select not fewer than three judges who are qualified to evaluate the performances. Judges may not be related to any of the performers. Judges will be identified and acknowledged at the event.

2.      The decisions of the judges are final and not subject to appeal. Competitors’ scores will not be disclosed to competitors or the public.

3.      The Native Rhythms Festival flute players’ competition will be conducted live on Friday, November 12^th at the festival grounds. All competitors will register and perform only on that day.

4.      All entrants must appear at the competition registration table by 10AM on Friday, November 12^th , with completed entry forms and the application fee. An identification number will be assigned to each entrant at registration. Check the event schedule for the time and location of the competition performances. (We plan to have the competitors perform on the main stage, but if the number of entrants makes this impractical, an alternate location may be designated. Listen for announcements.)

5.      The event organizers will determine the order of the competitors’ appearance in the competition by random lot.

6.      Judging will be “blind”. Competitors will be identified only by a number assigned at the beginning of the competition and the judges will not be able to see the competitors while they are performing.

7.      Each competitor’s performance will consist of three pieces. The first two pieces may but need not be an original composition by the performer.

·         The first piece must be a relatively slow and lyrical tune of the competitor’s choice.

·         The second piece must be faster and more rhythmic, again of the competitor’s choice.

·         The third and final piece must be the competitor’s interpretation of Amazing Grace.

·         Each piece should be between 1 ½ and 2 ½ minutes in length. If the competitor chooses, the announcer will signal at 1 ½ minutes after the piece begins.

·         Different flutes conforming to these rules may be used for each of the required pieces. We will try to have a flute stand available to hold several flutes for the entrant.

·         Please, no sacred tribal songs.

8.      During the competition performances:

·         No speaking or other extraneous sounds that might identify the performer are permitted. An event announcer will introduce the competitor by the entrant’s number only. The judges’ score sheets will identify the entrants by the announced numbers.

·         No foot stomping, shuffling, or other body movements meant to generate rhythmic sounds to enhance the performance.

·         Violation of this rule will result in disqualification from the competition.

·         The announcer may ask an entrant to stop and start again under such external conditions that would affect the performance, such as problems with the sound system, or a low-flying aircraft or other external noise source. Unless asked to stop, the competitor should continue playing.

9.      Awards for first, second, and third place finishers will be unique, hand-crafted wooden trophies for this event by award-winning flute maker Mike Knight. Photos of this trophy will be available on our event website at http://www.nativerhythmsfestival.com/Competitions.htm.

10. Possession or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by event rules. Anyone violating this rule will be disqualified from the competition and asked to leave the event grounds immediately, not to return.

Download Flute Players' Competition 
Rules & Registration Form

Flute Players' Competition Rules

Click here to download the Flute Players' Competition Rules in Microsoft Word format.

Click here to download the Flute Players' Competition Rules in Adobe PDF format.

Flute Players' Competition Registration Form

Click here to download the Flute Players' Competition Registration Form in Microsoft Word format.

Click here to download the Flute Players' Competition Registration Form in Adobe PDF format.