Barbara France
Managing Editor
11/10/2009

    Tallon Sandoval does it again. On Oct. 23, he placed in the top 10 in two separate divisions at the 27th annual Western Open Fiddle Championship. The Janesville 12-year-old took two second and sixth places.

    The open, which is the second largest fiddle contest in the United States,  was held in Red Bluff, Calif.    Sandoval first competed in the Junior-Junior Division. The format for this competition consisted of a three-song format, which included a hoedown, a waltz and a tune of choice. The three must be performed within a four-minute time frame. The judges award points based on rhythm, dance ability, old-time style, difficulty, intonation and clarity of notes and tone.

    Sandoval selected “Say Old Man,” “Festival Waltz,” and “Topeka Polka” for his performance. Lee Brushett, al Meyers and Tom Spence accompanied him on piano. He placed sixth overall in the Junior-Junior Division.
    Sandoval next performed in the Junior Twin Fiddle Division with former Janesville resident Tri May Gillam, who now resides in Chico, Calif. The junior twin contest was open to all young adults 17 years of age and under. The duo played “Catharsis” and “Pete’s Waltz” with Eric Anderson, Trish Ferguson and Tom Spence as piano accompanists.
    Again, the five-judge panel uses the same judging format; however, this two-song set must be played within a three-minute time frame. Sandoval and Gillam advanced to the championship round and were required to perform one additional tune of choice. They selected “In the Mood.” They placed second in the Junior Twin Fiddle Division.
    Sandoval’s previous accomplishments this year consists of a first-place in the Junior-Junior Open Division and first place in the Adult Twin at the Redding Amateur; third place in the Junior-Junior division at the Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Contest; third place in the Junior-Junior Division at the Weaverville Open; first place at the Plumas Sierra County Festival with teacher Johny McDonald; fourth placed in the Junior-Junior Division and fourth place in the Junior Twin Division at the 2009 California State Championship and 18th place in the Junior-Junior Division at the 2009 Grand National Championship in Wieser, Idaho.