Music Guidelines for the 2009 National Yo-Yo Contest

1. All contestants should bring their music on CDR in a standard CD audio format. No MP3, AAC, WMV files, other file formats. Commercial music CDs must be clearly labelled with a permanant (or not easily removeable) label with the same information requested for a a CDR. Contestants must have separate CDs for the semi-finals and finals of each division they compete in. CDs must be clearly labeled in permanent marker (neat handwriting, please) with the following information:

1. The contestant’s full name
2. The division of play (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A or 5A)
3. Semi or Final round
4. Track # (preferably track 1, and even better if there is only 1 track)
5. For example, if John Smith is registered to compete in 1A and 3A, he will need to submit 4 separate CDs. His CDs should be labeled as follows (like the example to the right):
   • John Smith, 1A Semi, Track 1
   • John Smith, 1A Final, Track 1
   • John Smith, 3A Semi, Track 1
   • John Smith, 3A Final, Track 1

Even if you are not sure whether you will make it into the final round, please still prepare a CD for it.

2. CDs submitted will remain in the possession of the sound manager until the conclusion of the Contest.

3. Music shall start from the beginning of the track and shall be played for 3-minutes (1-minute for semi-finals) where it shall be cut off. Contestants can feel free to edit the music so that it fades out or ends at the appropriate time.

4. Functionality of the CDR and musical content and duration is the responsibility of the contestant.

5. All music must be considered G-rated (appropriate for all audiences) and shall not contain offensive lyrics including but not limited to: obscenities, ethnic or sexual slurs, violence advocacy, etc. If you are unsure about your music, a judge will be available to listen to your music and make sure it is appropriate. With the concurrence of the Contest Director and the Head Judge, use of inappropriate music by a contestant shall result in their disqualification.

MUSIC RIGHTS & DOCUMENTATION

All competitors are encouraged to use music that conforms to one or more of the following standards and can provide written documentation supporting the claim.

1. Music that is royalty free or otherwise conforms to an open source or creative commons license that allows the music to be used for any public performance and may be reproduced or used on a production DVD.
2. Music that the competitor has acquired the rights to use and can transfer those rights to the National Yo-Yo Museum for purposed of a public performance and inclusion on a production DVD.

Documentation verifying the artist, album, studio of the music used is needed. If the music is a mixed compilation from multiple artists, full identifying information needs to be provided for each portion.

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