Yep, I'm sure Donny...here is an excerpt from the current Electone rules.
"What Type or Style Piece can the applicant perform?
The applicant can perform any style of music, i.e. Pop, Classical, Original Composition, or even Pre-Arranged Electone music score with automatic floppy disc registration is allowed.
However, A la Mode performance or prerecorded background music support will NOT be allowed."
So, in other words, no backing tracks, but the applicant can use their own set of registrations for the Electone which they bring on a floppy disc.
As far as I know, even the use of an arpeggiator is frowned upon, although the use of a percussion/drum track from the instrument is allowed.
All the parts must be played live and the applicant is graded on originality, pedal technique and overall performance.
These players are the best in the world.
My old Yamaha mentor and the guy who trained me in Electone orchestration, was the late Claude Dupras...born in Montreal, Canada in 1951...he was world champion back in the 80's.
He was the organizer(pun intended) for the festival in Canada.
His last performances were played on the Electone HX-1 and can be found on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwbctDEuLaA He died of esophageal cancer in 1991...he left a young wife and two little children. Apparently they are all doing fine.
Ian