2024 Live Syllabus - Classical Upper Strings - Solo

Piece Selections
a) One of the selections must have been performed at the Local Festival and received a minimum mark of 85 and the recommendation of the local Adjudicator. The second selection is the competitor's choice but may not be another movement from the first selection.
b) Graded Level Classes are for competitors studying in either the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) syllabus.
c) All selections must be at the same grade level and at the level at which the competitor was recommended by the adjudicator. If the competitor has taken an exam prior to December 31st, 2023, then they cannot enter that level at the provincial live finals.
d) Competitors must refer carefully to either the RCM or CC syllabus to determine how many and which movements of a selection are required (i.e. one mvt., two mvts., or complete). Failure to play the required movements could result in disqualification.
e) Competitors may count one or more movements of a multi-movement work as one selection only.
f) Studies/Etudes, as listed in the RCM or CC syllabi, will be permitted. However, only one (1) of the pieces selected may be a Study/Etude.
g) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will consider choice of repertoire and balance of program in their adjudication.
h) "Teacher's Choice" pieces are not permitted.

General Rules
i) Original music for each selection must be presented at the welcome desk for use by the Adjudicator on the day of competition. An original score of the music or purchased digital music with attached receipt showing title and price (not a cover page or subscription to a sharing website) are acceptable. Measure numbers should be clearly marked in the music.
j) Except for sonatas, performances must be from memory.
k) All competitors must be an amateur which shall be defined as a music student, performer, or any person who does not earn significant income from performance or teaching in the discipline in which they are participating or, is a member of a professional union. (Please click here for the full definition of Amateur vs Professional: omfa.ca/glossary).
l) No announcement of name or selection is required prior to your performance.
m) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (omfa.ca/live-festival/rules-and-regulations) must be strictly adhered to.

Accompaniment
n) Accompaniment must be by acoustic piano only. Unless a piece is specifically written to be unaccompanied it must have accompaniment or the submission will be for adjudication only.
o) 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 help out by providing live or recorded accompaniments. It is up to the competitor to contact them directly and pay for this arrangement.

Classical Upper Strings - Levels 6-10 - Solo

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Competitors must perform two (2) contrasting selections from the current Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) syllabus for their particular instrument.

The maximum performance time for levels 6-10 are listed below:

Levels 6 & 7: Fifteen (15) minutes
Levels 8 & 9: Twenty (20) minutes
Level 10: Thirty (30) minutes

There is no minimum performance time.

Accurate performance times must be included on the entry form. Do not guess timings.

If you do not provide all information required (i.e. the names of your pieces, movements, composer names and payment) by your Festival's Provincial deadline, it will result in disqualification. "To Be Decided" in any field will not be accepted and will also result in disqualification.
 
The only exception to this is the field labelled "Movement/Musical".  If your piece is a sonata or a concerto, etc. you will need to define which movements you will be playing.  If your piece does not have any movements please put "none".

Classical Upper Strings - Diploma - Solo

DEFINITION

• Diploma classes are offered for competitors who are studying at the Conservatory Associate Level but have NOT completed the Associate Diploma as of December 31st, 2023. Competitors entering the diploma section can only have been studying at the ARCT/A.Mus. level for 2 years or less. If the competitor has been studying at this level longer than 2 years they must enter the Open Classical Upper Strings Class.

• Level 10 pieces and below are not permitted in this category.
• Licentiate pieces are not permitted in this category.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Competitors must perform two (2) contrasting selections at the Associate Level from the current Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) Syllabus for all upper strings instruments.

If one selection is a sonata or concerto, at least two consecutive movements (a minuet and trio is considered one movement) must be performed, even if the RCM & CC Syllabi indicate that the complete piece is required. Playing the complete is optional as long as it fits into the set time limit.

The maximum performance time for Diploma is forty-five (45) minutes.

There is no minimum performance time.

Accurate performance times must be included on the entry form. Do not guess timings.

If you do not provide all information required (i.e. the names of your pieces, movements, composer names and payment) by your Festival's Provincial deadline, it will result in disqualification. "To Be Decided" in any field will not be accepted and will also result in disqualification.
 
The only exception to this is the field labelled "Movement/Musical".  If your piece is a sonata or a concerto, etc. you will need to define which movements you will be playing.  If your piece does not have any movements please put "none".

Classical Upper Strings - Open - Solo

DEFINITION

• Open Level Upper Strings competitors must be performing at the ARCT/A.Mus. level or above but do not have to have attained their associate degree. Competitors who have been studying at the Associate level for 2 or more years must enter this class.

• Level 10 pieces and below are not permitted in this category.

• Pieces do not need to be listed in the RCM or CC syllabi.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

In the Classical Upper Strings Open class, competitors will present a recital program which shows virtuosity, a high standard of performance ability and should include different genres/eras/styles etc.

A minimum of three pieces must be performed. Please note that competitors may play additional selections as long they fit into the designated time limit.

If one selection is a sonata or concerto, at least two consecutive movements (a minuet and trio is considered one movement) must be performed, even if the RCM & CC Syllabi indicate that the complete piece is required. Playing the complete is optional as long as it fits into the set time limit.

The maximum performance time for Open is sixty (60) minutes.

The absolute minimum performance time is fifteen (15) minutes.

Accurate performance times must be included on the entry form. Do not guess timings.

If you do not provide all information required (i.e. the names of your pieces, movements, composer names and payment) by your Festival's Provincial deadline, it will result in disqualification. "To Be Decided" in any field will not be accepted and will also result in disqualification.
 
The only exception to this is the field labelled "Movement/Musical".  If your piece is a sonata or a concerto, etc. you will need to define which movements you will be playing.  If your piece does not have any movements please put "none".

Classical Upper Strings - Adults - Solo

DEFINITION

• Adult Classes are open to any amateur competitor 29 years of age and over.

• Please note there is only one level of competition for Adults.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Competitors must perform two (2) contrasting selections.

The maximum performance time for the Adult class is twenty-five (25) minutes.

There is no minimum performance time.

Accurate performance times must be included on the entry form. Do not guess timings.

If you do not provide all information required (i.e. the names of your pieces, movements, composer names and payment) by your Festival's Provincial deadline, it will result in disqualification. "To Be Decided" in any field will not be accepted and will also result in disqualification.
 
The only exception to this is the field labelled "Movement/Musical".  If your piece is a sonata or a concerto, etc. you will need to define which movements you will be playing.  If your piece does not have any movements please put "none".