The Banjo & Fiddle Contest celebrates its 42nd event on September 9, 2023, from 10:00AM to 6:00PM.

It's free for contestants, as well as all traditional music fans who would like to come and listen. Never been to a banjo and fiddle contest before? Bring your lawn chairs and settle in to watch the friendly competition and get in touch with our country’s musical roots.

Cash prizes will be awarded in 9 categories:

Old Time Fiddle
Old Time Banjo
Bluegrass Fiddle*
Bluegrass Banjo
Ethnic Fiddle
Banjo (Other Styles)
Twin Fiddle
Banjo and Fiddle Duet
Youth (14 and under)

*Includes “contest-style” fiddling

Workshops: There will be workshops at 10AM led by:

• Bluegrass Banjo (Rich Stillman)
• Old Time Fiddle (Alan Kaufman)
• Old Time Banjo (Tim Rowell)
• Bluegrass/Swing Fiddle (Art Schatz)

Our Mission:  The mission of the Lowell Fiddle and Banjo Contest is to encourage the playing of traditional music on fiddle and banjo by:

– Providing an opportunity for musicians to demonstrate technical excellence and performance skills in a contest setting
– Encouraging the participation of beginning musicians of all ages
– Providing workshops and structured jam sessions for musicians
– Welcoming musicians from all traditional communities
– Providing an entertaining afternoon of music to the communities served by the Lowell National Historical Park and Lowell Summer Music Series.

Here is the detailed schedule for the day:

10AM–11AM             Free Workshops

11AM–12PM             Organized Jam Sessions

11AM–3PM               Registration

12PM–5:30*PM        Banjo and Fiddle Contest

5:30*PM-6PM           Judges Tally Final Scores and Prizes Awarded

* Contest will end and the judge tally will begin when the final contestant has performed.

Location: Boarding House Park, 40 French Street, Lowell.

Rain Location: Lowell High School Auditorium, 50 French Street, Lowell, diagonally across the street from the park.

For More Info: Contact: info@lowellbanjoandfiddlecontest.org