2026 Syllabus - Songs from the Screen and More

Click here for access to our SSAM Song List (omfa.ca/ssam-chart) for suggested repertoire or to make sure your selection fits the category.

Songs that were written for, or first appeared in,

• a movie or film
• songs from animated films
• anime
• television shows or series (please look at the chart below to confirm which shows are allowable)
• songs from film musicals
• songs from musicals that have only been workshopped
• songs from musicals that have only been staged in Disney Parks
• stand-alone songs in music theatre style.

One of the selections must have been performed at the Local Festival, received a minimum mark of 85 and the recommendation of the local Adjudicator. Additional selections, if applicable, are the competitor's choice but must follow the rules of this category.

It is recommended that selections be musically contrasting and from different composers. The Adjudicator will take the choice of repertoire into consideration.

• Solo Classes
    - Beginner, Primary, Elementary, Junior, Intermediate and Adult Levels are required to sing two (2) selections.
    - Senior Level is required to sing three (3) selections.
    - Advanced Level is required to sing four (4) selections.

• Duet and Small Ensemble Classes
    - All levels perform one selection only.

Competitors are allowed to transpose music higher or lower, but the integrity of the composer's intention with respect to the character must be observed.

Lengthy instrumental sections can be cut for performance.

Two (2) simple handheld props (e.g. comb, basket or book); one (1) standard rehearsal theatre box, one table and one chair are allowed. No other props will be permitted.

Costumes are allowed, but will not be judged.

Stage movement is allowed.

Dance breaks are not allowed and cannot be added to the selection.

All live performances must be by live acoustic piano only. No recorded backtracks are allowed. If you do not have a collaborative pianist (accompanist), the people on this list (click here: omfa.ca/collaborative-pianists-accompanists) have indicated that they are willing to play for the live festival. It is the competitor's responsibility to contact the collaborative pianist directly and negotiate a fee for their service.

All virtual performances may use either live acoustic piano or recorded backtracks.

Selections Permitted - please refer to the SSAM Song List (omfa.ca/ssam-chart) for suggested repertoire. (Songs that do not appear on the SSAM list must be submitted to the OMFA for approval prior to registering.)

• Songs that were written for, or first appeared in, a movie or screen film.
• Songs from animated films, anime, movies or television shows/series. 
• Songs from film musicals - singers must use film version arrangement (i.e. Santa Fe; Newsies; Breaking Free; High School Musical; Somewhere Over the Rainbow)
• Songs from musicals that have only been workshopped (not fully staged); stand-alone songs in musical theatre style (i.e. Girl in 14G; Taylor the Latte Boy; Darryl is a Boy). 
• Songs written for, but have been cut, from staged musicals (i.e. More to the Story from Shrek, Crossing a Bridge from Anastasia)
• Duets that can be performed as a solo (i.e. I See the Light; Tangled; Stepsister's Lament; Cinderella; Shallow; A Star is Born; A Whole New World from Aladdin)
•  Spoken passages are only allowed if published in the score being used and cannot represent more than 10% of the selection.

Selections Not Permitted

• Songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (Lists A, B, C from Levels 7-10).
• Songs that were originally written for live fully staged musicals and that were later made into movies (i.e. The Sound of Music; West Side Story; My Fair Lady; Hamilton; In the Heights; Dear Evan Hansen; Wicked).
• Operetta/light opera selections (Gilbert & Sullivan, Romberg, Lehar, Johann Strauss).
• Selections that are primarily spoken patter (eg. You've Got Trouble from the Music Man, Aaron Burr, Sir form Hamilton).
• Songs that were originally released as a commercial pop song and are later used in a jukebox musical should be entered in Popular Voice (Moulin Rouge, Beautiful)
• Selections from Junior show versions of musicals that have been cut or simplified.
• Vocal cuts, except for repeated choruses.

Pro credit (Musicnotes):
Competitors must provide a proper receipt (not the cover page). A receipt must show the name of the song, the form of payment used and the amount paid.

Not allowed:
· cover page (not a receipt)
· subscription to a sharing website eg. Scribd, Everand, Musescore)
· Teacher's names on scores, books or digital music must be covered

General Rules
All competitors must be an amateur. Please click here for the full definition of Amateur vs Professional: omfa.ca/amateur-vs-professional

No announcement of name or selection is permitted prior to your performance.

Live Festival - originals must be provided at the time of registration.

Virtual Festival - a pdf of the music must be uploaded at the time of registration.

It is important to note that if the Festival office has to contact you because of incomplete information (i.e. missing movements, pieces at the wrong grade level, etc.) will result in an additional $25 charge. Failure to pay the charge will result in disqualification and refunds will not be given.

All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (omfa.ca/festival/rules-and-regulations) must be strictly adhered to.

****All of the requirements for video submissions are detailed in the red Virtual Submission Requirements button.****