The Big Squeeze Contest

2015 official rules

Calendar

  • Deadline for registrations: one hour prior to each contest at each location

or received by e-mail or postal service by Mar 30, 2015 – arrive by date (not postmark date)

  • Semi-Finalists Announced: April 3, 2015
  • Finals: April 25, 2015 in Austin at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
  • Special performance: Saturday, June 6, 2015 in Houston during the Accordion Kings & Queens Concert at the Miller Outdoor Theater

Criteria for entry

  • Open to applicants 21 years old or younger. Entrants that turn 22 on or before June 7, 2015 are not eligible.
  • Must currently reside in Texas.

How to Enter

  • Participants may reserve an entry slot in any city by e-mailing or calling-in (512-441-9255 or 512-217-2645) the information detailed in the entry form available at . Contestants may also register by arriving 1 hour prior to the scheduled showcase time at each site.

Talent showcases will be held in the following cities and locations:

La Joya: Saturday, February 7th La Joya High School

Houston: Saturday, February 28th Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA)

Los Fresnos: Saturday, March 7th Los Fresnos High School

Corpus Christi: Sunday, March 8th McDonald Public Library sponsored by Hacienda Records

Dallas, March 21, Dallas, Pleasant Grove Branch Library

San Antonio: Friday, March 27th Gallista Gallery sponsored by Conjunto Heritage Taller

La Grange: date TBA, Texas Czech Heritage and Culture Center

  • Three Final Grand Prize Winners will be devoted to the three main accordion genres—polka, Cajun,Zydeco, and Conjunto. The polka genre will include German, Czech, and Polish traditions. Zydeco will include Creole and Cajun musical traditions. Conjunto will include Norteño and Tejano. Please contact Texas Folklife if you are unsure under which category your music falls. Showcases will be free, open to the public, and feature performances by local musicians.
  • There will be three finalists in each category which will be announced on April 3rd; finalists will be invited to compete for champion prizes in Austin on April 25th at the Bob Bullock TX State History Museum. Lodging and a travel stipend will be provided to finalists. One champion in each category will be showcased at the Accordion Kings and Queens concert in Houston on June 6th.

There will be acoustic accompaniment provided by Texas Folklife at each live audition. Participant may choose to bring one musician to accompany him/her instead. Each showcase is open to the public and followed by a music program.

PLEASE CHECK WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ON SHOWCASE SITES AND TIMES:

  • Interested contestants who cannot attend a talent showcase may mail in an entry. Entry forms can be downloaded from Please submit audio recordings of two songs. Each song, including medleys, should be no more than 4 minutes in length. Acceptable formats are: audio or video CD, DVD, MP3 or WAV file.
  • Entry forms and music MUST be submitted together, via e-mail, regular mail or delivery to the Texas Folklife office in Austin. Entries must be received byMarch 30, 2015(not a postmark deadline.)

Conditions for entry

  • If selected to perform at the finals, contestants must travel to Austin on or by Saturday,April 25, 2015; finalists will travel to Houston for the finals on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
  • If selected to compete as a finalist, you must play the same two songs submitted for judging.
  • Participants of the contest grant Texas Folklife or its representatives the right to record and reproduce their performances, and allow the use of their names and likenesses in promotion. (Texas Folklife upholds all copyright laws, the contestants will not be held liable for any rights infringement.)

Judging

  • A panel of esteemed musicians and music industry judges will use a numerical ranking system to select up to three finalists in each musical category. Judging criteria will include: song interpretation, technical skill, originality, execution and stage presence.
  • Finals - Saturday April 25, 2015 2-6pm @ the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (hotel provided April 24-25): Finalists will perform their two songs accompanied by a house band of professional players provided by Texas Folklife (you may bring one accompanist, if you prefer.) The band will receive copies of each finalist’s songs and rehearse in advance. Contestants will be given 10 minutes to go over the selection with the band.
  • Saturday June 6, 2015 Evening @ Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston (hotel and dinner provided): The three (3) grand prize winners will perform their same two songs live at the Accordion Kings & Queens festival June 6that Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre, accompanied by the house band.*

* You may bringone accompanist of your own, if desired; however, Texas Folklife will not cover that person’s hotel room.

Prizes

  • Finalists win:
  • Hotel accommodations and meals in Austin for two nights
  • Promotional support and performance opportunities from Texas Folklife
  • $100 cash and other special gifts
  • The Grand Prize Winnersreceives:
  • A new Hohner accordion
  • Promotional support and performance opportunities from Texas Folklife
  • Additional Cash award
  • 2015 performance opportunities in Austin and Houston

All prizes are awarded at the discretion of Texas Folklife and the judges. This contest may be canceled at any time.