1. Contestants must be able to prove they are a Canadian Citizen or have landed immigrant status, and proof of age.
   
   
2. Contestants must sing two (2) songs of their own choice (providing one of your song choices is a pre 1990 Country song) in the following order:  1st song - slow tempo, 2nd song - up tempo.  A good contrast in tempo is a must.  Your selection must be country as accepted by the Committee.  Failure to comply will result in your entry being refused.
   
   
3. Penalty of 25 points will apply if both songs are not completed within 6 and 1/2 minutes.
   
   
4. Singers must perform with all members of the band supplied (no accapella) and may use an acoustic guitar to play along with the band (not amplified) (no props allowed).  Talking on stage is restricted to Thank You's. For an "intro." only the first chord displayed on the chart will be given and no instrumental breaks will be played.
   
   
5. *No application will be accepted until Harley Renaud has received the digital entry form. The assigned band will do the charts as per your entry form. (the cost is included in your entry fee)
6. Singers will be allowed one (1) false start without penalty in the preliminaries only.  Twenty-five (25) points will be deducted off total score for false starts in the semi-finals and/or finals.
   
7. The top ten singers in all (excluding karaoke) categories will compete in the semi-finals.  In the event of a tie in the preliminary round, a sing off will decide placement.  A tie in the semi-finals will be decided by the highest mark in the preliminaries.  A tie in the finals will be decided by the highest mark from the semi-final round.
   
   
8. The top five (5) singers (except for the Karaoke) from the semi-finals will advance to compete in the finals.
   
   
9. If there are insufficient entries (minimum of 3 contestants) for any one category (including Karaoke), the committee reserves the right to: (1) combine male and female participants for that category and/or (2) advance them directly to the semi-final round (3) or cancel that category.
   
   
10. All contestants may enter one (1) class only! Exception to this rule will be that you may enter the Duets and any one other eligible Class provided the songs are different in each category. Duet Class must have 50% harmony in their songs as determined by the judges.
    
    
11. Contestants will be judged on enunciation, diction, voice range, timing, pitch, feeling and stage presence.  Dress is optional, but will be taken into account as part of the stage presentation.
    
    
12. First place winners in the "open", "duets" and "18 and under" categories are only eligible to win that category for one (1) year and are not eligible to enter that same category for the following year.  First place winners in the 50+ category are only eligible to win two (2) consecutive years and then are not eligible to enter that same category for the following year.
    
    
13. On the day of the contest, failure to appear after being called three (3) times will result in disqualification.
    
    
14. The back up band for each category will provide accompaniment for that category throughout the entire competition.  Contestants will not be allowed to change their song selection after their registration has been accepted and must use the same two songs throughout the contest.
    
    
15. JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL!
    
    
16. By entering or attempting to enter this contest, all contestants or purported contestants remise, release and forever discharge Rogers Media Inc., its parent and affiliated companies, and all of their respective employees, directors, officers, shareholders, agents, representatives, successors and assigns (collectively, at "Rogers"), from any and all claims, damages or liability for any loss, harm, damages, cost or expenses arising out of, or in any way related to, this contest, participation (or attempted participation) in this contest, and/or the awarding, receipt, possession, use and/or misuse of any contest prize (or any portion thereof), or any travel or activity that is related to the contest.

1. Contestants' guardians must provide a quality Karaoke CD of both songs, at rehearsals (NO EXCEPTIONS)
   There should be no lead vocals on the CD.  No key changer is available.  CD should be "Contest Ready"  and must be "Country Songs", as judged by Committee. There will be no Television for watching the lyrics, therefore contestants must memorize their songs. Time limit for singing is not taken into consideration for this class.
   
   
2. A maximum of fifteen (15) contestants (as determined by the Committee) will be accepted. (First come, first serve basis!)
   
   
3. Rehearsals:  Friday at the Bill Barber Complex.  Both songs will be rehearsed at a time to be determined.  You will be notified on your acceptance.
   
   
4. Preliminaries (Saturday):  you will sing both songs.
   
   
5. Finals (Sunday):  top three winners.
6. Must be no more than 12 years old at the time of performance.
   

Contestants must sing one (1) slow tempo song and one (1) fast tempo song. Songs will be sung in that order (slow then fast). A good contrast in tempo is a must (as accepted by Committee).  

 ______________________________________________________________________________

Official entry forms can be filled out at https://www.thenorthernopen.com