Cleveland compettions etc

[vandemataram]

Just saw the Cleveland schedule. No surprises except that this year is a step more in the direction of commericialism. I guess everything these days is run on the business model!
Regarding various competitions I would suggest few thoughts especially in the junior and subjunior categories.
(1) don't ask the contestants to announce the name of their teachers. It is irrelevant.
(2) Ask the teachers to leave the hall when their students are performing
(3) Make sure the teachers are also not the judges. That is the carziest format
(4) Engage NA artists, especially those born and raised in the US to act as judges. They are likely to be impartial since they have nothing to gain by currying favour with the visiting Indian artists
(5) Make sure, at least in the case of mridangam, some impartial person keeps the thalam for all the players.

( moderator note: Edited out some allegations, to keep the focus on the topic )

[mathe-kamas]

I would add more to this list:
1. Maintain a standard tambura/shruti for all. In other words do not penalize a kid for bringing in itampura.
2. Make sure there is no one talam cues from the front row.

[mri_fan]

As to your point about engaging NA artists, where do you think most competitors at Cleveland learn? From NA musicians...IMO, that's a terrible idea.

[rapper]

Folks

CMANA has a GCD Music Competition on Labor Day weekend in NJ. Details are on their website www.cmana.org . Some of the performances over the last few years are on Youtube posted by participants.Some of your points above are already implemented. Last year, they even parsed the name of participant and put in numbers.

[mishram]

Can out of state kids participate? Do u have to be a member of cmana to participate? I do not see any info on their website about this competitions. Any links pls?

[rapper]

CMANA does this for Junior members . You can be a member too and enrol yr children . Its one time (Life Membership) $150. Competitions per category is $25.GCD Rules and info usually go online by June for Sep event.

This is an event for everyone who lives in North America .

[cmpassion]

Firstly, thanks to the Cleveland organizers for finding a better location for the competition. I know there are still some space constraints for some categories. But this was a marked improvement from wandering all over the CSU campus to catch many categories!

Really enjoyed the Concert and Advanced pallavi competitions. Amazing talent and wonderful questions/guidance from judges.
I understand the time constraints, but it will be great if the committee thought of a way to stagger the competitions so that visitors can catch more.. is it possible to spread them over 2 days?

It was wonderful to listen to the Carnatic idol finalists after the pancharathnams, but the Drinko hall was too packed and there was no audience for the aradhana singers. I hope they will find a better option next year.
So much to hear, so little time!