Re: [scots-l] Tempos

[Sue Richards]

At 10:00 PM 1/15/03 -0800, Steve wrote:

In the San Francisco branch of the RSCDS, every year at the Pleasanton games
we have an adjudicated dance exhibition.  What that means is that each
participating group gets up on a stage and does a 3-dance medley in front of
2 adjudicators (who are typically long-time teachers) and an audience.
Afterwards the adjudicators talk to the participants and note what they
liked in the performance and what could be improved.  It's not a competition
but it gives groups the chance to perform in front of an audience and get
constructive criticism from experts.  I'm not interested in competing in
music and I've often wondered why something like this isn't done for
fiddlers. 

        So, to me, a comp is exactly the same, except that prizes are given to the ones who stand out. As a harp judge, I always try to set up an informal atmosphere, encouraging everyone to be supportive of each other, and I try to talk to people individually, and certainly in my notes, telling them what worked worked well and what could be improved. I have seen fiddle comps like this. I know that it can be done.
        Sue