WAYNE C. HENDERSON MUSIC FESTIVAL
AND GUITAR COMPETITION
Always The Third Saturday In June
10:30 am to 6:00 pm
Grayson Highlands State Park
Mouth of Wilson, VA  

 General Rules for Competition
Subject to change each year. Official rules are mailed to each contestant.

1.     Twenty contestants and 10 alternates will be selected after May 1, the deadline for registration.

2.      The $20.00 application fee is non-refundable except for those not selected or alternates who do not get to compete. Please make check or money order payable to Wayne C. Henderson Guitar Competition.

3.      If you must cancel your registration, please notify us  as soon as possible.

4.      Contestants will assemble promptly at 10:00 am behind the stage area, at which time they will draw numbers for their playing order. ANY CONTESTANT WHO DOES NOT APPEAR FOR THE DRAWING PROMPTLY AT 10:00 AM WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED.

5.      Competition will begin PROMPTLY AT 10:30 AM. Any contestant who is not present to compete when his/her number is called will be disqualified.

6.      Judges will not see the contestants who will be referred to only by their numbers. This “blind judging” makes the competition as fair as possible.

7.      Contestants will be judged on timing, style, tuning, difficulty of material, execution, clarity and overall performance.

8.      Finger picking or flat picking is allowed.

9.      All tunes must be in the public domain (no copyrighted material) or be the contestant’s own composition.

10.  Contestants are allowed one instrument back-up (accompanist) of their choice.

11.  No singing is allowed.

12.  Contestants will play one tune with a time limit of three (3) minutes.

13.  In cases of broken strings/picks, contestants will be allowed to repeat the same tune without penality.

14.  No electrical instruments are allowed for contestants or accompanists.

15.  The top 5 contestants in each contest will be announced from the stage after the stage dedication procedures (around 1:35 pm). Contestants will assemble promptly at 1:40 pm behind the stage area to draw numbers for their playing order. ANY CONTESTANT WHO DOES NOT APPEAR FOR THE DRAWING PROMPTLY AT 1:40 PM WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED.

16.  Play-off will begin PROMPTLY AT 3:40 PM. Any contestant who is not present to compete when his or her number is called will be disqualified.

17.  Play-off contestants will perform 2 tunes with a time limit of three (3) minutes. They will be judged and scored only on this performance. Previous scores will be erased.

18.  Winners will be announced at approximately 5:25 pm.

19.  GUITAR PRIZES:      1st PLACE……a guitar, handmade and donated by Wayne C. Henderson and a plaque,
                                   2nd PLACE……$150.00 and a plaque
                                   3rd PLACE……$75.00 and a plaque
                                   4th PLACE……$50.00 and a plaque
                                   5th PLACE……$25.00 and a plaque

20.  You will be sent ONE (1) “Performer’s Pass”. A Performer’s Pass is non-transferable. Misuse will result in disqualification of the contestant.

21.  Contestants have free entry only to the Festival. A $3.00 parking fee must be paid for all vehicles entering Grayson Highlands State Park. Contestants will park their vehicles with the general public.

For information about Grayson Highlands State Park, call 276-579-7092.
To reserve a camping space, call  800-933-PARK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


  General Rules for Judging

  1. Contestants will be judged on 100 possible points.

  2. Competition will begin PROMPTLY AT 10:30 AM. Any contestant who is not present to compete when his/her number is called will be disqualified.

  3. Judges will not see the contestants who will be referred to only by their numbers. This "blind judging" makes the competition as fair as possible.

  4. Contestants will be judged on timing, style, tuning, difficulty of material, execution, clarity and overall performance.

  5. Finger-picking or flat-picking is allowed.

  6. All tunes must be in the public domain (no copyrighted material) or be the contestant's own composition.

  7. Contestants are allowed one instrument back-up (accompanist) of their choice.

  8. No singing allowed.

  9. Contestants will play one tune with a time limit of three (3) minutes with 20 points being deducted for exceeding the time limit.

  10. In case of broken strings/picks, contestants will be allowed to repeat the same tune without penalty.

  11. No electrical instruments are allowed for contestants or accompanists.

  12. The top 5 contestants will be announced from the stage after the Stage Dedication (around 1:35 pm). Contestants will assemble promptly at 1:00 pm behind the stage area to draw numbers for their playing order. ANY CONTESTANT WHO DOES NOT APPEAR FOR THE DRAWING PROMPTLY AT 1:40 PM WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED.

  13. Play-off will begin PROMPTLY AT 3:40 PM. Any contestant who is not present to compete when his or her number is called will be disqualified.

  14. Play-off contestants will perform two (2) tunes with a time limit of three (3) minutes per tune. They will be judged and scored only on this performance, Previous scores will be erased.

  15. Winners will be announced around 5:25 pm.