ILLINOIS GUITAR LEAGUE CONTEST RULES

1.     Contestants may play music of their own choosing, or a piece selected by their guitar teacher.

2.     A Judge may change the classification of students in a band or combo division with the approval of the Contest Committee.

3.     Contestants may play only once in each division: solo, duet, combo, band.

4.     The same song cannot be used in more than one division by the same student, on the same instrument.

5.     Soloists must memorize their selections. Bands Combos and Duets may use music.

6.     No accompaniment is permitted for solos.

7.     Individuals and groups using special effects pedals or devices other than vibrato, reverb, or a volume control pedal for the steel guitar, will be classified in an open division.

8.     In all divisions, contestants will be classified according to age and length of study. There will be a first, second and third place trophy in each division if the score merits.

9.     Any division having the number of trophies awarded is left to the judge’s discretion.

10. Any teacher entering a mentally or physically handicapped student should attach a notation as such on the entry. They will be judged accordingly. This will assure fair competition for all contestants.

11. Combos consist of three to six players. Bands consist of seven or more players.

12. All contestants will be judged for technique, tone quality, rhythm, mistakes, dynamics and memorization. They will also be judged for appearance, posture and stage personality.  

13. Instruments must be tuned before entering the contest room. A brief time is allowed to check tuning and amplifiers before starting contest number.

14. Group entries should be briefed or rehearsed on “setting-up” procedure to save time and help keep the contests on schedule. If too much time is taken, (10 minutes is allowed), the judge may, at his discretion, deduct points.

15. A brief warm-up is allowed in all entries. (eight bars)

16. Group entries may consist of steel guitar, standard guitar, bass, twelve string guitar, tenor guitar, ukelelle, mandolin, banjo, violin, drums and keyboard.

17. The band directors are responsible for setting up their own band, either personally, or by an appointed responsible person(s).

18. The decisions of the judges are final. Judges will be impartial.

19. In case of conflicting schedules, group playing takes place over solos. Any one of the contest committee members must be notified as soon as possible, another time will be arranged. If contest committee members are not available, the rescheduling is left to the judge’s discretion.

20. Amplifiers will be furnished in the solo and duet rooms only. Bring your own power chord cable.

21. Entry fee: $15.00 With each entry fee, each contestant is permitted entry in one division only. Each additional division entry must be accompanied by a $5.00 fee. Olympic solo entry fees are $20.00. No refunds after commitment to competition/scheduling meeting.

22. No entry will be accepted unless it is submitted by a regular member in good standing with the Illinois Guitar League. Area-wide guitar teachers are recommended to join the IGL to allow their students to enter in competition.

23. Teachers must send an alphabetical list of entrants if they want the names listed in the souvenir program.

24. Bands, combos, duets and solos using other than reverb and tremolo (vibrato) will be classified in open division.

25. The entertainment class has been expanded from one person singing and accompanying themselves, to include a combo with vocalist. Players may be the same as for regular combo.

26. If special effects are being used it must be on the entry forms.

27. A student will only be judged by the number of months he or she has been playing.

28. After contest deadline date, no new classifications will be formed. Late entries will be added to existing classifications or added to an open class. “Late entries will be write-ins only”.