Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about this year's Provincial Live and Virtual Competition. This list will be added to as more questions are received and responded to.

Updated: January 2024

General FAQ's

What is my Entry Deadline?

For entry deadlines please go to: ciniki.com/omfa/entry-deadlines

What does a typical day at the Provincial Finals look like?

Coming to Provincials can be very exciting, but if you aren't sure what to expect it could be stressful. Here is an example of what a "typical" day at Provincials would look like. Please note though, that these times are only for example purposes

9:00 am Competition Starts

12:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm Competition Resumes

3:00 pm Competition ends

3:15 pm Workshop commences
Attendance at the workshop is mandatory
This is a group learning environment where the Adjudicator will work with all of the competitors in your class or group.
Depending on the number of people in the competition group, the workshop can last anywhere from 1 to 2 hours.

4:30 pm Announcement of winners at the conclusion of the Workshop
If your discipline has been split into several groups (i.e. Open Piano A, Open Piano B, Open Piano C, Open Piano D), the adjudicator will announce competitors who have received Honourable Mentions. Then they will announce the top two competitors who will go on to perform in the Playoffs.
If your discipline has not been split into several groups, the adjudicator will announce Honourable Mentions and 1st, 2nd and 3rd

5:00 pm Playoffs
The top two competitors from each group will be asked to go to the Playoff location.
The Adjudicator from your group will tell you which piece they would like you to perform. You would only be performing one selection with a time limit of 10 minutes.
The Adjudicators from each of the groups will be there and they will decide as a group who will come in 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

6:00 pm End of day

What happens if my Accompanist can't stay for the Playoffs?

In some cases it might not be possible for your accompanist to stay for the entire day and play at the Playoffs.

If this is the case, we will have an accompanist available at the Playoffs who can accompany you for Musical Theatre, Classical Voice and Classical Upper Strings.

Please note:

- You will not be given an opportunity to rehearse with them as there simply is no time available to facilitate this.

- The accompanists who will be at these locations are experts in their fields and will be able to sightread just about anything.

- If you choose to use this accompanist at the playoffs there will be a $20 fee which must be paid in cash, to the accompanist, at the time of the performance.

Who is eligible to enter the Provincial Competition in 2024?

Amateur musicians who reside or study in the Province of Ontario and Gatineau area are able to enter the Festival.

Amateur Adult musicians aged 29 and over who reside or study in the Province of Ontario are able to enter the Festival.

All competitors must be recommended by an adjudicator at one of our Member Local Festivals to attend the 2024 Provincials.

An amateur shall be defined as:

• a music student, performer, or any person who does not earn significant income (see below) from performance or teaching in the discipline in which they are participating

A professional shall be defined as:

• an individual performing in a professional show and/or earning significant income (over $5000.00 for adults and over $1000 for children up to 18 years) from performing or teaching music privately or in the school system.
• Individuals who are full or junior members of either ACTRA or EQUITY or are collecting credits to becoming an Equity member.
• Children up to 18 years who perform in a professional show and are not paid, receive valuable professional experience, and are therefore considered professional for the calendar year in which they are cast.

a) The calendar year is defined as September 1st – August 31st.
b) If the individual is enrolled as a full member of either ACTRA or EQUITY, has performed in a professional show and/or received professional income (over $5000.00 for adults and over $1000 for children up to 18 years), they are then considered professional and are therefore ineligible to participate in the OMFA Provincial Finals for that same year (eg. if the individual was recommended in February, but then joined ACTRA or EQUITY (eg. April).
c) If the individual has received professional income after they were recommended to the OMFA Provincial Finals, they would be ineligible to participate and their entry fee would be refunded, if applicable.
d) An exception would be made for an individual participating in another discipline that is different from the reason for their ACTRA or EQUITY membership (eg. an individual performing in a professional musical that has been recommended for classical piano would be allowed).
e) Disciplines that cannot be entered when performing in a professional musical include Musical Theatre, Speech Arts, Songs from the Screen and More and Popular Voice.

Do I have to accept the first recommendation I receive from a local festival to go to Provincials?

YES!

You will only be given the opportunity to go to Provincials once.

If you turn down the first recommendation you receive, then you will have forfeited your chance to attend Provincials.

The OMFA office will have a master list of all recommendations from each festival and the date they were issued.

Which classes are Live and which classes are Virtual?

LIVE PROVINCIAL FESTIVAL - SOLO

Chamber - All Levels
Classical Guitar - Levels 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Advanced, Open and Adults
Classical Lower Strings - Levels 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Advanced, Open and Adults
Classical Piano - Levels 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Advanced, Open and Adults
Classical Upper Strings - Levels 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Advanced, Open and Adults
Classical Voice - Levels 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Advanced, Open and Adults
Classical Woodwinds - Levels 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Advanced, Open and Adults
Contemporary Piano - Elementary, Junior, Intermediate, Senior,
Musical Theatre - Elementary, Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Advanced, Open and Adult Levels
Popular Piano - Elementary, Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Advanced, Open and Adult Levels
Popular Voice - Elementary, Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Advanced, Open and Adult Levels
Songs from the Screen and More - Elementary, Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Advanced, Open and Adult Levels
Speech Arts - All levels

VIRTUAL PROVINCIAL FESTIVAL - SOLO

Brass - All Levels
Chinese Instruments - All Levels
Classical Guitar - Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Classical Lower Strings - Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Classical Piano - Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Classical Upper Strings - Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Classical Voice - Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Classical Woodwinds - Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Contemporary Piano - Beginner and Primary Levels
Harp - All Levels
Musical Theatre - Beginner and Primary Levels
Percussion - All Levels
Popular Brass - All Levels
Popular Guitar - All Levels
Popular Piano - Beginner and Primary Levels
Popular Voice - Beginner and Primary Levels
Popular Woodwinds - All Levels
Songs from the Screen and More - Beginner and Primary Levels

VIRTUAL PROVINCIAL FESTIVAL FOR GROUPS

Duets and Trios - All Levels
Small Ensembles - All Levels
Bands - All Levels
Jazz Bands - All Levels
Choirs - All Levels
Orchestras - All Levels

What if I need to make a change to my entry after I have submitted it?

We ask that you be VERY careful when filling in your entry forms.

Things to make sure of:
- The competitor's name, age, address info are correct. Please do not use all capital letters. For example: John Smith is acceptable while JOHN SMITH is not.
- The contact emails are correct. To make sure that emails don't go missing - please make sure to add mail@omfa.ca to your address book.
- The Piece names are complete. Please copy them directly from the appropriate Royal Conservatory of Music Syllabus or Conservatory Canada Syllabus.

Incorrect example for Grade 6 Piano:
Sonata in g
In many cases there is more than one "Sonata in g" - we need to know exactly which one you are playing and which movements.

Correct example for Grade 6 Piano:
Sonata in G Major, op. 36, no. 2 - 1st mvt.
Please note that the key signature is there, the opus number is there and the movement number is there.

- The Composer names - please include the full name - i.e. Ludwig van Beethoven

- For Musical Theatre entries - ensure that the Musical Name is included - i.e. Astonishing from Little Women, Popular from Wicked, etc. Please include the FULL title of the musical.

Registration and Payment must be made on your Festival's Entry Deadline.

You may make changes to your repertoire at any point up until May 12th at 8:59 pm.

Live Festival FAQ's

Do I have to bring music to the Live Festival

The answer is yes.

Competitors must provide original full scores or text for the Adjudicator. Full original scores or texts should be presented to the front desk at check-in.

Please provide receipts for digitally purchased music. Cover pages are NOT receipts - please print the legal receipt.

IMDB copies are permitted, but please indicate that you have downloaded from this site by attaching a cover sheet explaining this.

The only exception to this is if you have entered Popular Piano or Popular Voice and are performing your own composition. In this case - please email the music to: mail@omfa.ca

All measures must be marked for the adjudicator on the original score.

If a competitor cannot secure the original music, eg. in popular voice, then they should submit printed lyrics and show a receipt for purchase of the song from either Apple Music, Spotify or Amazon.

All copyright laws must be observed.

Do I have to bring music to the Live Festival

Competitors should email their accompaniment backtrack as an mp3 link to: mail@omfa.ca no later than May 15th.

A full sound system will be provided and there will be a sound person at the venue for Popular Voice and Self-Accompanied voice. A digital piano, two speakers, a monitor, a microphone stand and microphone and a DI for electric guitars.

The sound person on-site will mange the backtracks for the competitors.

Do I need to bring an accompanist?

The answer is yes.

If a piece has written accompaniment then it must be played. However, if a piece is written specifically without accompaniment then an accompanist is not needed for that piece.

Competitors requiring an accompaniment for their pieces must provide and pay for their own accompanist.

A list of accompanists who are available to collaborate at the Provincial Competition is provided on the OMFA website. omfa.ca/collaborative-pianists-accompanists

What is a "workshop" and am I required to attend?

Workshops are instructional sessions run by the Adjudicators for the benefit of competitors and will focus on the performances heard that day.

Attendance at the entire Workshop is mandatory for all competitors.OMFA may authorize exceptions if a competitor is performing in two disciplines on the same day. Competitors should contact the Provincial Administrator for instructions if they are affected.

Failure to attend the workshop will result in disqualification.Competitors not in attendance will be ineligible to be chosen as winners or receive awards.

The OMFA Executive Committee reserves the right to re-assign award money if the First Place Winner does not attend the workshop and Announcement of Winners Session

At the end of each workshop, the Adjudicators will announce the winners and placements (for disciplines with under 25 entries) or competitors advancing to a playoff (for disciplines with over 25 entries). Please note that in Diploma and Open Classes the length of repertoire will determine whether the classes will have a play-off and will not adhere to the numbers listed above.The Adjudicator will also comment on the results and distribute written adjudications.

Virtual Festival FAQ's

Do I have to show my original music/score at the beginning of my video ?

One original score of the music or purchased digital music with attached receipt for each selection must be shown on camera prior to the beginning of the performance.

If a competitor cannot secure the original music, eg. popular voice, then they should submit printed lyrics and show a receipt for purchase of the song from either Apple Music, Spotify or Amazon.

Can we submit a video that was made at this year's local Festival to Provincials?

If the recording was made to enter a virtual festival in the fall of 2023 or in January to May, 2024 then the answer is YES.

Do all of the pieces have to be recorded in one continuous take?

No. You can record one piece, take a break, and then record the next piece. However – if the piece is a multi-movement work (ie Sonata in G, 1st & 2nd mvts.) then this counts as one piece and must be recorded as one piece with no breaks in between.

Each performance requires a separate YouTube link. Performance videos should not be combined.

Only YouTube videos will be permitted. (i.e. google drives, vimeo, mp3's, mp4's, dropbox etc. are not permitted).

Do we have to introduce our pieces verbally or are there other options?

There are three options:
1. Announce your name, level of competition and what pieces you will be performing verbally.
2. Digitally insert this information at the beginning of your video submission either graphically or by holding up a typed sheet of paper.
3. Both – verbally and written.

The choice is yours and whatever works best for you. It should be noted that these introductions do not count towards the actual performance time.

You are required to introduce yourself and your selections in the video, either verbally or with a title card before each piece and must be limited to the following:

• Your Name
• The Grade/Level you have entered
• The Composer and Complete Title of your selection (prior to each piece)

Do not announce your teacher's name, where you are from or which local festival you performed at.

Can we enter more than one grade level on the same instrument?

No. As per our OMFA rules, competitors may only enter into one grade level and all pieces must be at that grade level. If you have already taken a Royal Conservatory or Conservatory Canada exam in one grade level (prior to Dec. 31, 2023) – you must compete at the next level up.

If I am playing a multi-movement piece as one of my selections, can each movement be recorded separately?

No. A multi-movement piece is still one piece. If you were performing it in front of an audience you wouldn't play one movement and then walk off the stage until you were ready to play the second movement.

Do you require a video recording of my collaborating pianist?

No. This is not required. If you would like to acknowledge them when you are introducing yourself and your pieces, it would be a nice and professional gesture.

For example:
My name is Jane Doe and I will be performing…names of pieces
I would also like to thank my accompanist…name of accompanist

Is it possible to send video of my pieces recorded without accompaniment?

Yes. However, it should be noted that if you decide to do this, you will be put in a separate class from the main competitive class and will not be eligible to receive a placement or scholarship. You will still receive a full adjudication.

It is HIGHLY recommended that you have accompaniment unless the piece is written specifically without it.

What are my options for accompaniment for my pieces?

1. Hire a collaborative pianist to record the accompaniment to send to you. There is a list of accompanists on our website who are willing and able to help you do this (ciniki.com/omfa/collaborative-pianists-accompanists)

2. In many cases, for instruments other than Piano, RCM includes a CD of accompaniments for practice purposes. These are permitted.

3. Download an accompaniment track from the internet. Please ensure though that there are no orchestral or vocal backtracks.

4. All accompaniment must be by piano or keyboard only.

5. The only exception to this rule is for Popular Voice. Accompaniment can be by piano, keyboard, guitar and ukulele. Self-accompaniment is permitted for this class only.

Can I use a digital piano or electronic keyboard?

Yes. Pianos may be either acoustic or digital for both performance and accompaniment purposes.

Can video submissions be made by email?

No. All submissions must be submitted using a YouTube video at the time of registration.

What if we are not comfortable sending a "public" YouTube link?

While we do prefer that the links are "Public" (because it makes it far easier for us to share the links with our adjudicators), you can also use an "Unlisted" link.

- Please note! Only YouTube videos are permitted. We will not accept google drive, dropbox, vimeo, mp3, etc.

- It is highly recommended that you disable comments.

- If you send us a YouTube video that has been set to "private", the entry will not be accepted until the setting has been changed. There will be a $25 charge to make this change on your entry.

- Please ensure that the "kids for youtube" function is turned off as it makes the videos unshareable and the entry will not be accepted until the setting has been changed. There will be a $25 charge to make this change on your entry.