South Carolina State Old-Time Fiddling Championship Rules – 2026
Competition Categories
Banjo • Fiddle • Guitar • String Band • Open (formerly Wildcat)
Youth Division
Ages: 16 & under
You may enter one or more contests, but you may only compete in either Youth or Adult—not both.
Contestants may play in only one band.
A minimum of 3 entries is required for a category to be judged.
All Youth contests will be held and judged before Adult contests.
The emcee will announce categories at least 15 minutes before they begin.
Contestants must be near the stage and ready to play once called.
Late arrivals will not be allowed to compete.
Tunes & Performance
Prepare two tunes.
There are no finals in the Youth Division. Winners will be determined by preliminary scores.
In the event of a tie, contestants will play a different tune in a playoff.
Tunes must be traditional/public domain or in the old-time style.
No medleys, electric instruments, or DI devices.
Singing is only allowed in the Open and String Band contests.
Alternate lead instruments are allowed only in the Open category.
Special Requirements
String Band: Bands must include at least three different string instruments and have 3–6 members.
Open (formerly Wildcat): This category is for contestants whose instrument or musical style does not fit the standard contest categories. Examples include mandolin, lap dulcimer, harmonica, twin fiddle, kazoo, singing, Bluegrass, Texas Swing, and similar styles. Contestants may be accompanied by fiddle, banjo, or guitar, provided those are not the primary instrument (unless twinning or singing).
Accompanists
May play the same instrument as the contestant in the Youth Division.
Maximum one accompanist per contestant.
Accompanists must be registered for another contest or purchase general admission.
Adult/Senior Division
Adults: Ages 17 & over
Seniors: Ages 60 & over
You may enter one or more contests. Youth may only compete in one division (Adult or Youth).
Contestants may play in only one band.
A minimum of 3 entries is required for a category to be judged.
All Youth contests will be judged before Adult contests.
The emcee will announce categories at least 15 minutes before they begin.
Contestants must be near the stage and ready to play once called.
Late arrivals will not be allowed to compete.
Tunes & Performance
Adults
- Preliminaries: Two tunes
- Finals: Top three contestants in each category will perform one additional selection.
- If there are only three contestants in a category, no finals will be held.
Seniors
- Two tunes.
- No finals.
- Winners determined by preliminary scores.
In the event of a tie, contestants will play a different tune in a playoff.
Tunes must be traditional/public domain or in the old-time style.
No medleys, electric instruments, or DI devices.
Singing is only allowed in the Open and String Band contests.
Alternate lead instruments are allowed only in the Open category.
Special Requirements
Fiddle: Perform one slow tune and one fast tune in the preliminaries. Finalists will perform one slow tune and one fast tune in the finals.
String Band: One instrumental and one song in the preliminaries. Finalists perform one additional selection. Adult bands must include both a fiddle and a banjo and use instruments traditionally found in old-time string bands.
Accompanists
Maximum one accompanist per contestant.
Accompanist's instrument must be different from the contestant's instrument, except in the Guitar competition.
Accompanists must be registered for another contest or purchase general admission.
Instrumentation
Bands must have 3–6 members.
Adult String Bands must include both a fiddle and a banjo.
General Rules for All Divisions
Ineligible to Compete
Beginning in 2026, musicians who have won first place three consecutive years in the same category are ineligible to compete in that category for two years.
Musicians who are paid performers during the convention may not compete. They are encouraged to serve as judges.
Accidents
Issues beyond the contestant's control (such as broken strings) may allow a replay at the judges' discretion.
Lyrics
Lyrics must be family-friendly.
Ties
Contestants must be present to perform a different tune in a playoff or they will receive the lower placement.
Judging Criteria
Judges' decisions are final.
Score sheets will not be made public.
Judging is based on:
- Rhythm & Timing
- Tonal Qualities
- Expression & Soul
- Difficulty
- Old-Time Style
Prizes & Awards
Winners must complete financial paperwork at the registration area immediately following awards.
Social Security numbers are required.
Award checks will be mailed within 4 weeks.
| Category | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Fiddle | $500 | $300 | $200 |
| Youth Fiddle | $200 | $100 | $75 |
| Adult OT String Band | $500 | $300 | $200 |
| Youth OT String Band | $200 | $100 | $75 |
| Adult Open (formerly Wildcat) | $100 | $75 | $50 |
| Youth Open (formerly Wildcat) | $75 | $50 | $25 |
| Adult OT Banjo | $100 | $75 | $50 |
| Youth OT Banjo | $75 | $50 | $25 |
| Adult Guitar | $100 | $75 | $50 |
| Youth Guitar | $75 | $50 | $25 |
Total Prize Money: $3,875
OT = Old-Time
Trophies and ribbons are awarded in most categories.