1. Competitors: On Arrival, competitors should register at the reception desk. All competitors are responsible in making sure they are eligible to enter each class and be of the age required on the day of the competition (31-10-26) The age group categories are:
   a) Under 10 b) Under 12 c) Under 16 (Junior) d) 16 & Over (Senior) e) Any Age (Open)
2. Entry Open/Closing Dates: Entries will open on Saturday 1st August 2026 and all entries must be received no later than Sunday 11th October 2026 (NO EXTENSION THIS YEAR) Entries submitted after the advertised closing date will only be accepted at the discretion of the committee. These entries will only be considered if time on festival day allows.
3. Entries: Once all the entries have been received, we will randomly allocate a programme number to each competitor. Unless unavoidably prevented from doing so, competitors must report to play in the correct position as set out in the programme. Failure to do so can result in disqualification. Times publicised are a guide only, as competitions may start earlier/later than advertised.
4. Time Limits: Maximum playing times in each competition must be adhered to and players may be penalised, disqualified and/or stopped if they exceed the time limit. OC (4) = Own Choice (Max 4 Mins)
5. Final Decision: In all cases the adjudicator’s decision is final and cannot be challenged.
6. Traditional: Signifies that tunes must be chosen from the recognized Scottish repertoire and played in the Scottish idiom. As we are part of a “Living Tradition”, new compositions are also acceptable.
7. Accompaniment: is permitted in the following classes:
   a) All Solo Fiddle Classes: An official “Piano Accompanist” will be provided, alternatively you can use your own accompanist. (Piano, Guitar, Accordion) House piano available for accompanist’s use.
   b) World Music Classes: Can be played solo or accompanied with ONE other instrument (An acoustic instrument of ANY type is permitted). House piano available for competitors use.
   c) Open 6/8 March: Plus, ONE other instrument (Piano, Guitar, Accordion accompaniment permitted) 2026 (£150 Winner’s Prize Money Sponsored by Chris Crowe) House piano available for competitors use.
   d) Open Gaelic Waltz: Plus, ONE other instrument (Piano, Guitar, Accordion accompaniment permitted) House piano available for competitors use.
   e) Accompanists: Piano players, Guitarists, bass players and drummers are permitted to compete more than once in any class. House piano available for accompanist’s use.
8. House Band: Is a group of individuals nominated to accompany competitors on the day. A house band will typically comprise of 2^nd Accordion, Piano, Bass & Drums, however any configuration can be chosen by the competitor.
9. Electric Devices: No electric instruments will be permitted, except where specified in the rules. A digital piano, with an electric Bass option, will be provided on the day.
10. Photography: Flash photography during any competition or performance is strictly forbidden. Photographs can only be taken during the presentation after the competition has finished. However, short extracts of filming are permitted.
11. All Classical Accordion Solos: Only ONE piece of music may be played within the time limit.
12. All “World Music Classes”: Choose from Traditional, Continental, Musette, Jazz, Polka, Cajon, Zydeco, Tarantella, Ethnic, or any other type of World Music. As many pieces of music are allowed to be played, as long as you are within the time limit. This class can be played Solo or accompanied with ONE other instrument (An acoustic instrument of ANY type is permitted). House piano available for accompanist’s use.
13. Open Modern-Day Medley: Accordion/Fiddle. A selection of contemporary traditional tunes written by modern-day composers and played with an innovative modern-day twist. Representing the Folk music of Scotland and beyond.
14. Open Own Composition:  FOR 2026: UNLIMITED ENTRIES: £100 FIRST PRIZE: A copy of the tune, which must be unpublished, should be submitted as a PDF file, at least three weeks in advance of Festival day, (If possible can you also send in an Audio file as well) to robert@perthaccordionfestival.co.uk  (Sheet music can be handwritten or digital) Entries won’t be accepted after Sunday 11^th October 2026. DON’T PUT YOUR NAME ON THE MUSIC PLEASE. Competitors may enter more than once in this class. a) ONE Entry £8.00 b) THREE Entries £18.00 c) FIVE Entries £25.00. Tunes will be pre-adjudicated by the committee prior to the festival and the top 9 will be selected and played on the day by the “House Band”.
15. Open Button Key Accordion Solo Class: is for instruments of the British Chromatic/Melodeon type only (B/C/C# Diatonic i.e. in/out bellow movement plays a different note 2/3 Row). Continental Chromatic “B” or “C” system accordions, 5 row, are NOT eligible for this class. Play M/S/R (4) or OC (4)
16. Open 6/8 March: Open to Accordion & Fiddle. Two 6/8 Marches should be played. ONE other instrument “Piano, Guitar or Accordion Accompaniment” is permitted. (2026: £150 Winners Prize Money) House piano available for accompanist’s use. (Sponsored by Chris Crowe)
17. Open Gaelic Waltz: Should comprise of up to three tunes played as a set. This is a solo performance on accordion or fiddle. ONE other instrument “Piano, Guitar or Accordion Accompaniment” is permitted. House piano available for accompanist’s use.
18. Open Scottish Trio: (Incorporating Junior Scottish Trio) Any person can play more than once in this class, provided they play a different instrument. The trio must consist of accordion, fiddle and ONE of the following instruments: a) Electric Piano (with NO Bass) b) Guitar c) Double Bass d) Bass Guitar. House piano available for competitors use. The option of a MENTOR can be provided for this section upon request. (See rule 23)
19. Open Scottish Dance Band: (Incorporating Junior Scottish Band) Will consist of 4 to 6 players and must include accordion and fiddle. Electric Piano (with Bass) may be used. Any back line musician (Piano, Bass, Drums) can play more than once in this class as long as the rhythm section is not the same as another band. Front line players can only compete once. A Junior Scottish Band must have 50% of players under 16, one of which is the bandleader. House piano available for competitors use. (Sponsored by Billy Hutton) The option of a MENTOR can be provided for this section upon request. (See rule 23) 
20. Open Scottish Dance Music: Open to Accordion or Fiddle, this competition will have a different dance chosen each year. (2026: THE SCOTTISH POLKA) The tune should comprise of a typical recognised selection for the chosen dance. i.e. Dasher (3 X 64 Reels) Barn Dance (2 x 2/4 Marches) Gay Gordons (2 x 4/4 or 2 x 6/8 Marches) etc The “House Band” will be available for accompaniment if the competitor so desires. If possible, music to be provided on the day or otherwise accompaniment will be “by-ear”.
21. Open Fiddle Group: Must consist of a minimum of 5 players and a maximum of 12 players with a minimum of 3 fiddles included in the group. Any 3 of the following accompaniments are permitted: House piano available for competitors use.
    a) Piano b) Accordion c) Guitar d) Electric Piano (with Bass) e) Double Bass f) Bass Guitar
22. Open Accordion Group:  Must consist of a minimum of 5 players and a maximum of 12 players with a minimum of 3 Accordions included in the group. Any 3 of the following accompaniments are permitted: House piano available for competitors use.
    a) Piano b) Accordion c) Guitar d) Electric Piano (with Bass) e) Double Bass f) Bass Guitar
23. Open Strathspey & Reel Society: Must consist of a minimum of 12 players and a maximum of 25 players with any configuration of players included in the group. Any of the following accompaniments are permitted: House piano available for competitors use.
    a) Piano b) Accordion c) Guitar d) Electric Piano (with Bass) e) Double Bass f) Bass Guitar
24. Mentor:  Is a member or members of the committee who can assist in helping any competitor compete in the Trio’s or the Band sections.  A MENTOR can be used by anyone (under the age of 18) a) who needs help to put together a trio/band b) who needs help to put together/arrange/harmonise a set of tunes c) who needs help to co-ordinate all that is required to perform in these classes.
25. Prize Money: There will be prize money for six of the classes in 2026. 1) Winners prize money of £500 for Class 10: Senior Accordion Scottish (M/S/R) 2) Winners prize money of £500 for Class 23: Senior Fiddle Scottish (M/S/R) 3) Winners prize money of £100 for Class 32: Own Composition 4)  Winners prize money of £200 for 2026 will be Class 38: Mickie Ainsworth Award (Sponsored by Billy Hutton) 5) Winners prize money of £100 for Class 41: The Bill Wilkie memorial award (Best Junior player on the day) 6) Winners prize money of £150 for Class 34: Open 6/8 Pipe Marches (Sponsored by Chris Crowe)
26. Payments: Can be made on a) The Perth Festival Website via Paypal using the payment link: (WHEN USING THIS PAYMENT LINK, CAN YOU MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE THE COMPETITORS NAME IN THE “COMPETITOR’S NAME” box or b) by making cheques payable to “The Perth Accordion Festival”, or c) by Bank Transfer to Account Number 10507703 Sort Code 83-47-00 quoting the competitors name as the reference.
27. Festival Tickets: ON THE DAY: All festival tickets (Day tickets, late entry payments etc) can be purchased from the registration table in the Salutation Hotel. Even if your competition is in St John’s Church, you MUST purchase your entry tickets from the Salutation before going to St John’s. Competitors are entitled to free entry to the festival wearing a festival wristband.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be official photographers taking pictures during the day and night. Photographs may be published in various publications and online. If you do not want your child’s, or your own, photograph to be taken/published then please speak to any member of the committee. You must complete the relevant form at the reception desk to indicate you do not wish your child’s, or your own, photograph to be taken.

Revised & Updated: (Monday 31st August 2026)