Gold Medal & Amateur Drumming
Rules and Regulations

Competitor Qualifications

Premier Percussion and Pearl Drums, and Andante Percussion present the 2008 MCDS - Midwest Highland Arts Fund North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship. Premier Percussion, Pearl Drums, and Andante Percussion present the 2008 Cameron Drumming Studios – Midwest Highland Arts Fund North American Amateur Drumming Championship

1. Competitor Qualifications

• North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship
  (Professional, Grade 1, RSPBA Adult)
  North American Competitors- Those North American Competitors who are currently registered at the time of entry as Professional, or Grade 1, by his/her North American home association may enter this contest. Prior winners of the NAGMDC are eligible to enter.
   
  RSPBA Adult Competitors- Those Adult Competitors from outside North America who normally compete under RSPBA rules may enter this Gold Medal contest.
  
  
• North American Amateur Drumming Championship
  (Amateur Grades 1, 2, or 3, AND RSPBA Juvenile 1,2, or 3)
  North American Competitors- The ages of North American Competitors in the amateur grades will not be restricted. Competitors must be currently registered in the same grade entered in the NAADC as in his/her North America home association. In the event a North American Amateur level drummer is upgraded by his/her home association subsequent to their application to compete in the NAADC, that individual will be permitted to compete in the lower grade provided that individual has not competed in higher grade competition at any time prior the NAADC.
   
  RSPBA Juvenile Competitors- Those Competitors from outside North America who normally compete under RSPBA rules must enter according to following:
      RSPBA Juvenile 1 must enter Grade 3 Amateur
      RSPBA Juvenile 2 must enter Grade 2 Amateur
      RSPBA Juvenile 3 must enter Grade 1 Amateur

2. Tune Requirements and Results

• North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship
  

  Competitors shall submit and perform: One (1) march, strathspey, and reel set (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each, and one (1) hornpipe and jig set (H/J) with a minimum of four parts each. There will be a separate MSR performance, and a separate H/J performance. The three highest aggregate scores of the MSR and H/J will determine the contest placing for prizes. There must be at least three competitors in order for any prize to be awarded
  

• North American Amateur Drumming Championship
  Grade 1 & 2 Amateur

  Competitors shall submit: One (1) March, strathspey, and reel set (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each.  The six highest aggregate scores of the MSR will determine the final heat.  The six highest aggregate scores of the MSR qualifier will submit ONE HJ (hornpipe, jig) with a minimum of four parts each.

   

  The three highest aggregate scores of the MSR and H/J will determine the contest placing for medals.

   

  Grade 3 Amateur
  Competitors shall submit one (1) MSR set composed of one four-parted 2/4 march, one two-parted minimum/four parts maximum strathspey, and one two-parted minimum/four parts maximum reel. If a competitor submits a two-parted strathspey or reel, each tune must be played through twice. The three highest scores will determine the contest placing for medals.

3. General Rules

• Competitors shall submit the entry fee and the entry form, postmarked or electronically dated if submitted on-line through MHAF website, no later than December 20, 2007. Entries postmarked or electronically dated after the deadline, or those submitted without the entry fee, will be rejected. No field entries will be allowed.
• Entry fees are Gold Medal USD $50, Amateur $20.
• Competitors must include their home association and registered grade with the entry form. After submission of the entry form, no change in grade status will be allowed. The Competitor must be a member of his/her association in good standing on the day of the competition or risk disqualification. Grade status is subject to verification by MHAF. Competitors may enter in one grade only. Discrepancies will void the entry. No exceptions.
• The order of play will be decided shortly after the closing date for entries.
• One piper only, shall accompany each Competitor. Recorded accompaniment will not be allowed.
• Each Competitor must check-in at the MHAF registration table at the Marriott-Country Club Plaza the evening prior to the contest, by no later than 9:30 P.M. At this check-in, each Competitor will receive details of the locations within the Hotel Complex of practice rooms, the final tuning/warm-up area and competition area, and tentative contest times and order of play.
• The order of play will be posted the morning prior to the contest at the final tuning/warm-up area. Times will be posted for the first six Competitors; the remaining Competitors will be subject to the order of play. In order to eliminate large gaps in the contest due to players being disqualified or unable to attend, Competitor order of play is subject to change at the discretion of the Stewards. It is the responsibility of each Competitor to inquire with the Stewards as to updates or changes throughout the day of the contest. All Competitors must be ready to compete when called; otherwise they may be disqualified.
• Competitors must check-in with the Steward at least one-half hour prior to the start of the segment of the contest in his/her grade. Competitors must be at the final tuning/warm-up area at least 15 minutes before his/her scheduled competition time.  Tunes will be submitted to the Steward in the final tuning/warm-up area immediately prior to each respective contest.
• Each Competitor and piper accompanist must appear and compete in appropriate highland dress, including kilt, optional jacket, and cap, and are expected to remain so attired throughout the day until after the presentation of prizes.
• Warm-up in a non-designated, public area of the host hotel is disruptive to other Competitors and guests; therefore, such behavior will result in immediate disqualification.
• Any Competitor acting contrary to the rules of the competition, or the orders of the Judges and Stewards, may be excluded or disqualified from the competition or prize list.
• All decisions made by the Judges will be final.
• Entry in the competition is consent for recording sound and image, and distribution on any/all media, which shall become property of Midwest Highland Arts Fund.
• Directors of MHAF, contest sponsors, MHAF judges, and MHAF instructors are ineligible for entry to the contest.

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