Upper Midwest Folk Fiddlers 2026 Online Fiddle Contest

We are excited to announce the Upper Midwest Folk Fiddlers 2026 Online Fiddle Contest!  Contestants will each choose two tunes from the Upper Midwest Fiddlers Tunebook and record themselves playing them and submit the videos to enter. The winners will be announced during an online show to be aired later this spring on YouTube and other social media platforms, including the Upper Midwest Folk Fiddlers Facebook page.

Fiddle Contest Rules

Registration

• Contestants will need to register for the contest and select their tunes by 11PM CST on January 22, 2026. Register online at https://clawhammermike.wufoo.com/forms/z1mtvyxp1g0enqv/
• Contestants must play one waltz (or other 3-beat tune) and one tune that is not a 3-beat tune (schottische, polka, jig, etc.). All tunes must be selected from the Upper MIdwest Folk Fiddlers Tunebook- Volume 1.
• Multiple contestants cannot play the same tune. Tunes will be chosen on a first come, first serve basis upon registration. If all tunes are chosen, registration may close early. Only one entry per fiddler.

Video Entries

• Video entries of both tunes must be submitted by 11 PM CST on February 22, 2026.
• Only registered contestants can submit entries. To enter, email a link to a downloadable HD video format (.mov, .avi, .mp4) to minnesotafiddle@yahoo.com. By submitting a video, you agree that you wholly own the intellectual property rights to the video and give Clawhammer Mike permission to share the video publicly online on multiple platforms. Make sure to list all back up players names and instruments in your submission Email.
• Contestants must play both tunes from memory without looking at the book.
• Contestants may have accompaniment, but judging will be focused on fiddle playing except for rhythm and overall sound. Make sure the fiddle is front and center. Accompaniment is encouraged but not required. 
• Medleys are not allowed. Please do not change the keys of the tunes from how they are written in the book. Entries should include 3 passes through each tune.
• Please do not share video entries with the general public until after the contest airs,

Eligibility and Judging

• The contest is open to all ages. Contestants under age 18 must have their parent or guardian’s permission to share their video. 
• Contestants will be judged by a panel of three judges on skill level, rhythm, tone, expression and danceability. Two extra points out 50 will be awarded to folks who currently live in the Upper Midwest (MN, Iowa, SD, ND, WI). Anyone, regardless of geography, is allowed to enter.
• Winners will be awarded plaques and prize money for 1st place ($200), 2nd place ($100) and 3rd place ($50). Registration is free of charge.
• Only fiddlers may be contestants. Other instrumentalists are allowed to back up multiple fiddlers.
• Clawhammer Mike reserves the right to curate a selection of entries for inclusion in the public program. Judges will review all entries that meet requirements, but not all will make the final program.

FAQ’s

What are the two steps to enter?

1. Register and select tunes by 11PM CST on January 22, 2026 by visiting https://clawhammermike.wufoo.com/forms/z1mtvyxp1g0enqv/.

2. Submit video entries by 11 PM CST on February 22, 2026 by emailing links to minnesotafiddle@yahoo.com. 

How will I know that my video submissions are received? 

Clawhammer Mike will notify you that your videos were received and usable.

How will I know if I won?

After judging in March/April of 2026, the online show will air in April/May of 2026 (exact date TBD). All contestants will be notified when the date of the show is announced. Winners may be interviewed for additional show material via Zoom or, if local to the Twin Cities, in person. Not every entry will be included in the show.

Can I play variations of the melody?

Sure.  You can put your own tasteful variations on the melody in your passes.  Your accompaniment can play melodies or harmonies. The tune, however, needs to stay true to how it is documented in the tune book with your fiddle front and center.  Jazzing things up will not necessarily improve your score, and you will mostly be judged on your playing.

Do I need to own the tunebook?

No. Most of our tunes are played by our Saint Paul chapter on the Youtube playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV8xF__WFpjZC8uQK204Na6YExfjMJ06o. The tune book is available for sale at : https://clawhammermike.com/b/nucsU

Upper Midwest Folk Fiddlers at Duluth Stamman

 Earlier this year saw the first performance of two of our Upper Midwest Folk Fiddlers chapters.  The Duluth, MN chapter and the Saint Paul, MN chapter came together to play the Duluth Stamman. Because we are all playing from the same book in made integrating the groups pretty seemless.

 

Leonard Finseth Tapes

I have recently received a large volume of tapes from the Leonard Finseth family with the charge of making this materiel available readily to the public.   I will be slowly digitizing and putting up those tapes here.

Upper Midwest Folk Fiddlers - Duluth Chapter

 Clawhammer Mike visits one of the outstate Upper Midwest Folk Fiddlers chapters.  Now there are three chapters: Saint Paul, MN; Moorhead, MN; and Duluth, MN.

Upper Midwest Collections Panel at the Twin Town Old-Time Music Festival

One of my favorite moments from the Twin Town Old-Time Music Festival in Saint Paul, MN. was this panel on Midwest and Upper-Midwest music collections.

Bill Peterson talked about his work with Dwight Lamb’s personal archive. Jim Nelson talked about a number of Missouri Valley archives. Micah Ling talked about Michigan archives and as we ran out of time I quickly tried to get in how archives are only as important as how they connect the past with the present and the future and also a little about Upper Midwest archives.

Thanks to Rina Rossi for setting up such an interesting workshop and thanks to Sarah Larsson for the only picture I know of the workshop.

Upper Midwest Folk Fiddlers Are Still Going Strong

I wanted to report that not only are there new chapters of UMFF in Fargo, ND and Duluth, MN, but our hometown chapter in Saint Paul, MN has been quite healthy lately! Our jam last night had 23 folks in attendance (see video below).

We also just played a fun dance at the first annual Twin Town Old-Time Music Festival here in Saint Paul,MN and I (Clawhammer Mike) participated in a panel discussion about using collections of Midwest and Upper Midwest music.

More Upper Midwest Folk Fiddlers Chapters

It has always been the dream to start other Upper Midwest Folk Fiddlers jams throughout the Upper Midwest.  Our home jam in Saint Paul, Minnesota has been having weekly jams for the past many years. Now that the Upper Midwest Folk Fiddlers Tunebook is in publication, it is time to spread the music.  Some wonderful folks in the Fargo, ND area have taken it on themselves to start a chapter of UMFF.  Their intention is to meet every 4th Monday of the month to play tunes from the book. Right now the location for this jam is Swing Barrel Brewing- 814 Center Ave A, Moorhead, MN 56560.