Youth Instrument 2021 CHAMPIONSHIPS
2021 CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS !
PHOTO BY JILL HECK
I t was a pretty special Youth Instrument Championship last year . And “ a first !” That according to Ron and Pennie Mashore , OIBF Youth Competition Co-Chairs . For the first time since the competition ’ s inception , all six instruments most traditional to bluegrass were featured in last year ’ s Championship . 16 Students under the age of 18 competed in the categories : stand-up bass , 5-string banjo , resonator guitar , flat-picking guitar , mandolin and fiddle . A total of $ 1,650 in prize money was won in all the combined categories .
When competing , performances must be in keeping with the “ flavor ” of the bluegrass festival . Each contestant spends a total of six minutes on stage and presents three separate tunes acoustically into a microphone . They are not to speak or sing . Points are given for execution and articulation , arrangement , expression and overall show value . The entry fee is $ 10 per instrument . First place winners in each category receive $ 150 , 2nd place is $ 100 , and 3rd place winners receive $ 50 .
The contest takes place Saturday at 1:00p . m , following the Youth Band Competition . The Youth Instrument championships are named in honor of three-time national fiddle champion the late Byron Berline , a founder of OIBF .
AND THE 2021 WINNERS ARE ...
GUITAR |
1st |
Brandon Cheng |
2nd |
Cyprus Basemore |
3rd |
Grace Williamson |
BANJO |
1st |
Brandon Cheng |
2nd |
Soren Bazemore |
MANDOLIN |
1st |
Miller Bazemore |
2nd |
Grace Williamson |
UPRIGHT BASS |
1st |
Elizabeth Williamson |
2nd |
Grace Williamson |
3rd |
Ryan Cheng |
RESONATOR GUITAR |
1st |
Titus Bazemore |
2nd |
Travis Schoonover |
FIDDLE |
1st |
Steven Russel |
2nd |
Grace Williamson |
3rd |
Sienna Yetter |
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