Deer Creek 55th Annual Fiddlers' Convention Contest
The Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention has showcased rising musicians in acoustic roots music, as well as provided a place for musicians and music lovers to gather since 1972, including craft & food vendors and shade tree picking. The VIRTUAL Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention takes place in the fall, while the in-person Convention takes place in the spring. Join us for both!
Contest entry CLOSED.Winners will be announced on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
By participating in this Contest, each participant agrees to be bound by these Official Rules and to the decisions of the judges selected by Common Ground on the Hill, which are final and binding on all matters relating to the Contest. The Contest will operate as described below:
There is a $10 registration fee per video submission to compete. See Virtual Registration tab above.
Contestants may submit up to three (3) video submissions.
Proceeds benefit scholarships to Common Ground on the Hill's Traditions Weeks.
ELIGIBILITY
The Virtual competition is for individual musicians only. Bands wishing to compete are referred to the IN-PERSON competition in the spring.
The contest is open to musicians or singers who derive less than 50% of their income from music performance. This does not include payments for songwriting.
Each Entrant must be the rightful owner of the e-mail address registered with the YouTube account used to log in and upload the video. Entry constitutes each Entrant’s certification that the Entrant is the primary performer and meets the eligibility requirements set forth in these Official Rules. Exception for Young Performer contestants or those without access to the internet, who may use a YouTube account registered to a parent or their music instructor.
Those who have won a Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention prize within the past five (5) years may participate and place (1st, 2nd or 3rd) but shall not receive a Scholarship prize.
Traditions Weeks instructors who receive honoraria are NOT considered employees of Common Ground on the Hill, and ARE eligible to participate.
Common Ground on the Hill staff members, members of the Common Ground on the Hill Board of Directors, Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention judges, and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in this contest.
Videos must:
Be created specifically for the Contest.
The selected music must be in bluegrass, old-time or other acoustic Americana style.
Be a maximum of 4 minutes for one continuous piece of music. The piece may be a medley. Points will be deducted for taking more than 4 minutes.
Comply with YouTube terms of service and specifications for user submissions and/or video uploads, located at http://www.youtube.com/t/terms, or as may otherwise be posted on YouTube’s website.
Videos must NOT:
Contain material that violates or infringes another’s rights, including, but not limited to, material that violates privacy, publicity, or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright or trademark infringement;
Include third parties, including but not limited to minors, celebrities, and friends who have not expressly authorized Entrant to display their image, likeness, or voice in any submitted Video or otherwise use such image, likeness, or voice in accordance with these Official Rules.
Performance Requirements:
Individuals may submit up to 3 video submissions.
Individuals must fill out a separate registration for each performance category in which they are competing. Individuals may compete once in no more than three (3) categories. Example: submission #1 in fiddle; #2 in vocals; #3 young performer.
This contest is for individual musicians or vocalists. Band and groups are not accepted.
Contestants may have ONE backup instrument in addition to their own. NOTE: Backup instruments are not required. Vocalists may perform a cappella and if desired and will receive full consideration by the judges. Vocalists may enter the individual category only as soloists (no duos).
GRANT OF RIGHTS
In consideration of an Entrant's Video being reviewed and evaluated for this Contest, each Entrant hereby grants to Common Ground on the Hill a non-exclusive, irrevocable, universal license to use, copy, sublicense, transmit, distribute, publicly perform, publish, delete, or display such Video, or any portion thereof, or the musical composition contained therein, in any media now known or hereafter devised and for any purpose, including advertising or promotions, and to use the name, likeness, voice, biographical information, and image of Entrant and any other persons who appear in such Entrant’s Video in any media now known or hereafter devised and for any purpose, including advertising or promotion of Common Ground on the Hill or any other person or entity at Common Ground on the Hill's discretion.
By entering the Contest, each Entrant warrants that the videographer who recorded that the Entrant’s Video has granted to the Entrant a transferable license to the Video, and that the Entrant transfers to Common Ground on the Hill the right to use the Video, or any portion thereof, including the right to make derivative works or to mix the Video with other videos or elements, in any media for any purpose. Entrant expressly waives any moral rights in the Video. Each Entrant also grants to Common Ground on the Hill a non-exclusive, perpetual, sublicensable, worldwide, and royalty-free right to use the musical composition performed in the Video for any purpose, whether with the Video or separate, and grants to Common Ground on the Hill any synchronization, mechanical, or public performance rights necessary to use the music or Video in any media (including platforms that may not have PRO licenses) and for any purpose. Each Entrant authorizes Common Ground on the Hill and any entities affiliated or in privity with Common Ground on the Hill to utilize, for eternity and in any manner they see fit, the Video, and to make derivative works from such materials.
Each contestant will receive a numerical score from a panel of judges.
All prizes will be awarded based on contestant placement in only one round of competition as scored by the judges. Only the top three overall awards will be given.
Scoring of the performances by the judges is final.
The Young Performer category is for ages 12 and under.
Competition Categories
NOTE: Categories and genre are to inform judges what skill to evaluate in the video.
Banjo
Fiddle
Guitar
Mandolin
Special Performer (any instrument not otherwise categorized)
Vocal
Young Performer (age 12 and under)
Genres
NOTE: Genre must be provided to order for judges to best evaluate performance within the form of the specified genre.
Bluegrass
Celtic
Old-Time
Other
2025 Registration: Virtual Competition
HOW TO ENTER
Registration for VIRTUAL Fiddlers' Convention: Video submissions are accepted through November 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Fill out virtual competition registration form below AND submit the $10 entry fee
Virtual contestants must fill out a separate registration for each video submission. Individuals are allowed to compete in no more than three (3) separate categories. An individual may not submit multiple entries within a single category.
Entry fee of $10 is due for each video submission.
Virtual contestants must submit a video link from their YouTube Channel of a performance of no more than 4 minutes. Videos will not be judged on recording quality, but should be clear enough to be heard and seen in order for judges to rate the performance. If you do not have a YouTube Channel, here is a brief tutorial on how to create one: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1646861?hl=en
Winners will be announced on December 6, 2025.
In return for the right to compete in this contest, all contestants give Common Ground on the Hill the non-exclusive rights to share their video submissions.
Vocalists may perform a cappella and will receive full consideration by the judges.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
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Scholarship Awards may be used for a music camp, individual lessons or college tuition, upon confirmation of music class registration. Payment will be made directly to the instructor, kids academy, camp or college. The payee may be located within the U.S. or world-wide.
Scholarship Prizes
1st Prize: $500 Scholarship from the Steve Mandell Memorial Music Scholarship Fund
The Steve Mandell Memorial Music Scholarship Fund honors the memory of folk and bluegrass musician and Grammy Award winner Steve Mandell. Steve was most popularly known for his guitar performance on the tune "Dueling Banjos" from the Deliverance movie soundtrack. The fund is intended to benefit those who wish to learn/develop/enhance their music education in folk, bluegrass, old-time and other acoustic Americana styles. Find out more HERE.
2nd Prize: $300 Scholarship from Common Ground on the Hill
3rd Prize: $100 Scholarship from Common Ground on the Hill
Requirements for In-Person Competition
On-site registration runs from 9-10:30 AM on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Contest begins at 10:30 AM.
Location
The in-person Deer Creek Fiddlers' convention will take place at the Carroll County Farm Museum (500 S. Center Street, Westminster, MD 21157). Click HERE for map. Free parking.
Admission:
All Contestants: $20
Non-Contestants age 13+: $25
Non-Contestants age 12 and under: FREE
Non-Contestant Public School Teachers & Staff and their families: FREE with ID
Non-Contestant U.S. Military Veterans, Active-Duty Members and their families: FREE with ID
Non-Contestant McDaniel College Staff: FREE with ID
Categories
NOTE: Contestants may compete in no more than 3 individual categories, outside of competing as part of a band. For example, a contestant could enter in fiddle, banjo and clogging, as well as enter are part of a bluegrass band.
Bluegrass Band
Old-Time Band
Celtic Ensemble
Fiddle
Banjo
Guitar
Mandolin
Special Performer
Vocalist
Young Performer (ages 12 and under)
Appalachian Clogging/Flatfooting
Eligibility
All attendees (both contestants and non-contestants) are required to pay admission to the Fiddlers Convention. On-site registration inside the grounds of the Farm Museum.
Common Ground on the Hill staff members, members of the Common Ground on the Hill Board of Directors, Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention judges', and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in this contest.
Traditions Weeks instructors who receive honoraria are NOT considered employees of Common Ground on the Hill, and ARE eligible to participate.
In return for the right to compete in this contest, all contestants relinquish any and all rights to any recorded or photographic material of the contest and consent to the recording and photographing of their performance by anyone in attendance.
Only acoustic instruments will be considered in the individual competitions. A band may compete with an electric bass.
INDIVIDUALS
Contestants may compete in no more than 3 individual categories, outside of competing as part of a band. For example, a contestant could enter in fiddle, banjo and clogging, as well as enter are part of a bluegrass band.
Candidates competing in more than 1 category must perform different musical selections for each entry.
Contestants in the various categories of individual competition may have one backup instrument in addition to their own.
Backup instruments are not required.
Vocalists may perform a cappella and will receive full consideration by the judges.
Vocalists may enter the individual category only as soloists rather than ensembles, and may have one backup instrument in addition to their own.
Contestants in the individual categories (including vocal) will have 3 minutes to perform one continuous piece of music. The piece may be a medley. Points will be deducted for taking more than 3 minutes.
The Special Performer category includes any instrument not otherwise categorized.
BANDS
Bluegrass and old-time bands must consist of at least three (3) individuals playing 3 different types of instruments. Celtic bands/ensembles must consist of at least two (2) individuals.
Bands will perform no more than two pieces of music, each not to exceed 3 minutes in length. One piece may be a medley.
Bands may include only one a cappella piece as part of their performance.
Bands will lose points for going over 6 minutes for their total performance.
Bands should not spend their short performance time introducing their individual members or spend time telling band history.
Bands should introduce their piece of music and tell where it comes from.
A single individual may enter as part of more than one band.
NOTE: Bands may not win a Festival performance prize more than one time. First Place contestants from prior years will be eligible for cash prizes ONLY.
2026 Judging
JUDGING
Each contestant will receive a numerical score from a panel of judges.
All prizes will be awarded based on contestant placement in only one round of competition as scored by the judges. Only the top three overall awards will be given.
Instrumental prizes will be awarded by Judges' Choice. Please see the Prizes tab above for details.
In the event that any category of competition has only one or two contestants, their scores will be moved to the Special Performance category for placement tabulation.
Scoring of the performances by the judges is final.
The Young Performer category is for ages 12 and under.
in-person Competition Categories
Appalachian Clogging & Flat-footing
Band: Bluegrass
Band: Old-Time
Band: Celtic
Banjo
Fiddle
Guitar
Mandolin
Special Performer (any instrument not otherwise categorized)
Vocal
Young Performer
2026 PRIZES
(NOTE:Prizes subject to change)
2026 Judge's Choice Scholarship Prize
One (1) winner will receive FREE tuition to FIVE single-period courses during Traditions Weeks workshops at Common Ground on the Hill 202, valued at $660. Workshops feature renowned musicians including Alice Gerrard, Tim O'Brien, Chris Luquette, Reed Stutz, Tatiana Hargreaves, Barry Mitterhoff, Susan Boyer Haley, Ken Kolodner and many more! See note at the bottom of the page for additional details.
NOTE:
Traditions Weeks offers offers three separate weeks of 5-day workshops in music, dance, visual arts, lecture, film and more.
2026 Workshops take place virtually and in-person. Dates are: VIRTUAL - June 22-26 and IN PERSON - July 6-10. Orientation takes place on July 5, with workshops running July 6-10 on the campus of McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Winners may select their classes across the weeks. NOTE: Housing is not included for in-person courses.
Each 5-day workshop meets at the same time every day, Monday-Friday.
There are 5 separate class periods available each week, and around 180 class offerings in any given week.
Most classes are single period; however, certain classes (such as hammered dulcimer and visual arts workshops) are two-period. For example, a contestant who wins 3 single-period classes could choose a 2-period Hammered Dulcimer workshop plus a 1-period Fiddle workshop.
Bluegrass Band: $500 PLUS a performance slot at the Upperco Jam Camp Bluegrass Festival, June 18-19, 2027. NOTE that this takes place NEXT June!)
Old-Time Band: $500.
Celtic Ensemble: $500.
NOTE: Performance prizes can only be won by a band ONE time. Past winners are not eligible.
2026 Instrumental Prizes (Judges' Choice)
Instrument prizes, awarded according to judges' choice, may or may not be awarded to category prize winners. The judges' decision regarding the recipients of the instrumental prizes is final.
2026 Prize Fiddle: The Claude Martin Memorial Fiddle Award
Includes a case and newly rehaired bow.
Prize Sponsor: Lovingly restored by luthier Thomas Precht.
2026 Prize Banjo
Model: MM-150 Maple Mountain. The half-inch-thick maple rim carries an authentically-designed Whyte Laydie-style scalloped three-piece brass tone ring under an eleven-inch Remo Renaissance head. Premium parts include a comfortable maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with snowflake inlays and a frailing scoop, vintage Fairbanks-style headstock design, planetary tuners, a reproduction of the early 1900s armrest (secured by the banjo's bracket hooks), and No Knot tailpiece. The MM-150 is completely set up at the Gold Tone Factory.
Cash Prizes of $100 will be awarded to the top contestant in each individual musician category, as well as to the top contestant in the Vocal and Clogging categories, plus FREE tuition for THREE single-period classes of Traditions Weeks 2026 workshops at Common Ground on the Hill, valued at $396.
Individual musician categories include:
Fiddle
Banjo
Guitar
Mandolin
Special Instrument (all instruments no listed above)
Vocalist
Young Performer
Appalachian Clogging/Flatfooting
NOTE:
Traditions Weeks offers offers three separate weeks of 5-day workshops in music, dance, visual arts, lecture, film and more.
2026 Workshops take place virtually and in-person. Dates are: VIRTUAL - June 22-26 and IN PERSON - July 6-10 on the campus of McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. In-person orientation July 5. Winners may select their classes across the weeks. Housing is not included for in-person courses.
Each 5-day workshop meets at the same time every day, Monday-Friday.
There are 5 separate class periods available each week, and around 180 class offerings in any given week.
Most classes are single period; however, certain classes (such as hammered dulcimer and visual arts workshops) are two-period. For example, a contestant who wins 3 single-period classes could choose a 2-period Hammered Dulcimer workshop plus a 1-period Fiddle workshop.
