Syllabus
Classical Strings – 2023
Open to anyone who resides or studies in the Province of Ontario or the Gatineau, Quebec area and has been recommended by their local festival.
The maximum age is 28 years old as of December 31, 2022 for graded, diploma and open classes.
Please note there are separate classes for adults 29 and over.
For the purposes of this competition, upper strings include violin and viola and lower strings include cello and double bass.
- Virtual Festival: Levels 1-5
- Live Festival: Levels 6-10, Diploma, Open, Adults
CLASSICAL STRINGS – Graded Levels 1-5 (Virtual Festival)
Definition
Graded Level Classes are for competitors studying at Levels 1-5 in either the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) syllabus and will participate through a Virtual Festival.
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.
Performance Requirements for Grades/Levels 1-5 (Virtual)
a) Competitors must perform two (2) selections from the current Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) syllabus.
b) Both selections must be at the same level and at the level at which the competitor is currently studying. If the competitor has taken an exam prior to December 31st, 2022, then they cannot enter that level.
c) Please note that unlike RCM and CC exam requirements, both selections must be the same grade/level for the Provincial Competition.
d) “Teacher’s Choice” pieces are not permitted.
e) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will consider choice of repertoire and balance of program in their adjudication.
f) Maximum performance time is fifteen (15) minutes.
There is no minimum performance time.
g) Except for sonatas, performance must be from memory.
h) Competitors may count one or more movements of a multi-movement work as one selection only.
i) 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.
j) Studies/Etudes, as listed in the CC or RCM syllabi, will be permitted. However, only 1 of the pieces selected may be a Study/Etude.
k) For Levels 1 to 5 Classical Strings, it is the competitor’s responsibility to abide by any and all government guidelines regarding physical distancing as of the date you submit your video.
l) Accompaniment can be by piano only. Accepted accompaniment must be live piano or piano backtracks. Unless a piece is specifically written to be unaccompanied it must have accompaniment, or the submission will be for adjudication only.
m) The accompanists listed on our website have confirmed that they are willing to record accompaniments for you to use for your performance if you do not have an accompanist already lined up. It is up to the competitor, however, to contact them directly and pay for this arrangement. https://omfa.ca/accompanists/
n) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules must be strictly adhered to. https://omfa.ca/syllabus/
CLASSICAL STRINGS – Graded Levels 6-10 (Live Festival)
Definition
Graded Level Classes (Levels 6-10) are for competitors studying in either the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) syllabus will participate through a Live Festival.
One original score of the music or purchased digital music with attached receipt for each selection must be presented at the welcome desk for use by the adjudicator.
Performance Requirements for Grades/Levels 6-10 (Live)
a) Competitors must perform two (2) selections from the current Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) syllabus.
b) Both selections must be at the same level and at the level at which the competitor is currently studying. If the competitor has taken an exam prior to December 31st, 2022, then they cannot enter that level.
c) Please note that unlike RCM and CC exam requirements, both selections must be the same grade/level for the Provincial Competition
d) “Teacher’s Choice” choice pieces are not permitted.
e) The maximum performance times are as follows:
Level 6 & Level 7 Fifteen (15) minutes
Level 8 & Level 9 Twenty (25) minutes
Level 10 Thirty-Five (35) minutes
There is no minimum performance time.
Accurate performance times must be included on the entry form. Do not guess timings.
f) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will consider choice of repertoire and balance of program in their adjudication.
g) Except for sonatas, performance must be from memory.
h) Competitors may count one or more movements of a multi-movement work as one selection only.
i) 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.
j) Studies/Etudes, as listed in the CC or RCM syllabi, will be permitted. However, only 1 of the pieces selected may be a Study/Etude.
k) Accompaniment must be by acoustic piano only. Unless a selection is specifically written to be unaccompanied it must have accompaniment or the submission will be for adjudication only.
l) The accompanists listed on our website have confirmed that they are willing play for your performance if you do not have an accompanist already booked. It is up to the competitor, however, to contact them directly and pay for this arrangement.
https://omfa.ca/accompanists/
m) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules must be strictly adhered to. https://omfa.ca/syllabus/
CLASSICAL STRINGS – Diploma Level (ARCT) – Live Festival)
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, 2022. 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 Strings Class.
One original score of the music or purchased digital music with attached receipt for each selection must be presented at the welcome desk for use by the adjudicator.
Performance Requirements for Diploma Level
a) Competitors must perform two (2) ARCT selections as listed in either the Royal Conservatory of Music or Conservatory Canada Syllabi.
b) Both selections must be at the same level. Level 10 pieces and below are not permitted in this category. If the competitor has taken an exam prior to December 31st, 2022, then they cannot enter that level.
c) Please note, unlike the RCM and CC, both selections must be the same grade/level for the Provincial Finals Competition.
d) “Teacher’s Choice” pieces are not permitted.
e) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will consider choice of repertoire and balance of program in their adjudication.
f) Competitors may count one or more movements of a multi-movement work as one selection only. 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 sonata or concerto is optional if fits into the prescribed time limit.
g) The absolute maximum performance time 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 or simply apply the specified time limit.
h) Except for sonatas, performance must be from memory.
i) Accompaniment must be by acoustic piano only. Unless a selection is specifically written to be unaccompanied it must have accompaniment or the submission will be for adjudication only.
j) The accompanists listed on our website have confirmed that they are willing to play for your performance if you do not have an accompanist already booked. It is up to the competitor, however, to contact them directly and pay for this arrangement. https://omfa.ca/accompanists/
k) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules must be strictly adhered to. https://omfa.ca/syllabus/
CLASSICAL STRINGS – Open Level (ARCT and Above) – Live Festival
Definition
Open Level 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.
One original score of the music or purchased digital music with attached receipt for each selection must be presented at the welcome desk for use by the adjudicator.
Performance Requirements for Open Level Classical Strings
At the Provincial level, competitors will be given the opportunity to present a recital program that shows the competitor’s virtuosity and should include different genres/eras/styles etc. in classical strings
a) The absolute maximum performance time 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 or simply apply the specified time limit.
b) Competitors may play any number of pieces that fit into the designated time limit.
c) Competitors will present a varied program with all selections at the ARCT level or above. They do not need to be listed in either the RCM or CC syllabi but should be equal in difficulty.
d) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will consider choice of repertoire and balance of program in their adjudication
e) Except for sonatas, performance must be from memory.
f) Selections listed in lower levels (Levels 1-10) in the RCM or CC Syllabus are not permitted.
g) Competitors may count one or more movements of a multi-movement work as one selection only.
h) 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.
i) The accompanists listed on our website have confirmed that they are willing to play for your performance if you do not have an accompanist already booked. It is up to the competitor, however, to contact them directly and pay for this arrangement. https://omfa.ca/accompanists/
j) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (separate document) must be strictly adhered to. https://omfa.ca/syllabus/