Music Competitions

Music Competitions will take place in the Multipurpose Room of the Wolstein Center and in another room in that general area..  It is a bit out of the way and you may want to locate it prior to 9:30 AM  if possible.

Rules and general guidelines for Competitors
All of our rules are listed in the syllabus  above the Music Competition Section.  The Following information gives you more information about what is generally expected at a  Feis music competition.

1. Except for electric piano, competitors may use  only acoustic (non electronic) instruments. Tinwhistles must have a metal body, plastic tip and only six fingering holes.
2. Music classifications are the traditional irish ones: reel, jig( double, slip, or single), hornpipe, aire, march, polka.
3. Vocal competitions are sean nos (without accompaniment). You should bring a copy of your song for the adjudicator to follow. Traditional style in your Vocal Performance is part of the competition.
4. selections (both vocal and instrumental) should be traditional. We have provided a list on this page as examples these are not the only songs/tunes you may use at competition. A suggested source is www.thesession.org.
5. Ceili bands must have two or more different instruments in their group. Group size is to be no less than five and no more than ten competitors.
6. Duets and Trios are in any combination of instruments. There are no Ensemble singing competitions.
7. See the 2008 Syllabus for complete information

See below for suggestions of tunes to play:

Traditional Songs in English:
(Please note, many familiar folk songs such as Danny Boy, Fields of Athenry, and Molly Malone are not considered traditional tunes in the strictest sense. It is suggested that you not use them for competition)

The Rocky Road to Dublin
The Sally Gardens
The Shores of Amerikay
Slievenamon
Whiskey in the Jar
Lannigan's Ball
Oft in the Stilly Night
Believe me if all these Endearing Young Charms

Traditional Songs in Gaelic
O Ro Se Do Bheatha Abhaile
Roisin Dubh
Le Fainne Geal an Lae
An Buacaill ban
Rodi Mac Corlai
Jimmy mo mile Stor
Sean o Duibhir An Ghleanna
Bead Aonach Amarach

Email for music questions: clevelandfeismusicentries@yahoo.com
Email for general questions: clevelandfeis@yahoo.com