Syllabus
Classical Voice – 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, 2021 for graded, diploma and open classes.
Please note that there are separate classes for amateur adults 28 years and over.
Virtual Festival: Levels 1-5
Live Festival: Levels 6-10, Diploma, Open, Adults
CLASSICAL VOICE – Graded Levels 1-5 (Virtual Festival)
Definition
Graded Level Classes are for competitors studying in either the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) syllabus who will participate through a Virtual Festival. Graded levels 1-5 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.
Competitors are allowed to transpose their selection higher or lower by a full tone.
Performance Requirements for Grades/Levels 1-5
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, 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 from the RCM Popular Selection List and the CC Idioms lists are not permitted, including musical theatre, and popular (contemporary) – this includes pieces from RCM List C for Levels 1-5.
f) Maximum performance time is ten (10) minutes. There is no minimum performance time.
g) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will consider choice of repertoire in their adjudication.
h) Performance must be from memory.
i) Vocalises and not allowed.
j) Operetta selections are permitted as long as they are on the RCM or CC list.
k) For Levels 1 to 5 Classical Voice, 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. 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.
l) 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/
m) Please visit this link for video submission guidelines: https://www.musicfestivalsuite.com/cgi-bin/accprof.cgi
n) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (separate document) must be strictly adhered to. https://omfa.ca/syllabus/
CLASSICAL VOICE – Graded Levels 6-10 (Live Festival)
Definition
Graded Level Classes 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.
Competitors are allowed to transpose their selection higher or lower by a full tone.
Performance Requirements for Grades/Levels 6-10 (Live)
a) Competitors must perform three (3) selections in two (2) or more different languages (eg. English, French, Spanish, Italian, German) from the current Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) syllabus.
b) ALL 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) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will consider choice of repertoire and balance of program in their adjudication
d) “Teacher’s Choice” pieces are not permitted.
e) Selections from the RCM Popular Selection List and the CC Idioms lists are not permitted, including musical theatre, and popular (contemporary) pieces – this includes pieces from RCM List C for Levels 6-7 and RCM List D for Levels 8-10.
f) Competitors may use one song from a song cycle as one selection, but may not use another song from the same cycle as an additional selection.
g) Vocalises and stand-alone recitatives are not allowed. However, recitatives are permitted in arias where indicated in either conservatory syllabus.
i) Operetta selections are permitted as long as they are on the RCM or CC list.
j) Performance must be from memory.
k) Accurate performance times must be included on the entry form. Do not guess timings or simply apply the specified time limit.
The absolute maximum total performance time is as follows:
Level 6 to Level 7 Fifteen (15) minutes
Level 8 to Level 9 Twenty (25) minutes
Level 10 Thirty-Five (35) minutes
There is no minimum performance time.
l) 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.
m) 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/
n) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (separate document) must be strictly adhered to. https://omfa.ca/syllabus/
CLASSICAL VOICE – Diploma Level (Live)
Definition
Classical Voice Diploma classes are offered for competitors who are studying at the Conservatory Associate Level but who 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 Voice 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. Measure numbers should be clearly marked on the score.
Performance Requirements for Diploma Level Classical Voice
a) Competitors must perform four (4) selections from same level selections in three (3) or more different languages (eg. English, French, Spanish, Italian, German) at the Associate Level as listed in the current Royal Conservatory (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) Syllabus. Level 10 pieces and below are not permitted in this category.
b) All selections must be at the ARCT/Diploma 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) Selections must be musically contrasting. Adjudicator will take choice of repertoire into consideration and balance of program in their adjudication.
d) “Teacher’s Choice” pieces are not permitted.
e) Selections from the RCM Popular Selection List and the CC Idioms lists are not permitted, including musical theatre, and popular (contemporary) pieces.
f) Competitors may use one or more songs from a song cycle as one selection, but may not use another song from the same cycle as an additional selection.
g) Vocalises and recitatives are not permitted. However, recitatives are permitted in arias where indicated in either conservatory syllabus.
h) Performance must be from memory.
i) The absolute maximum performance time is as forty (40) 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.
j) 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.
k) 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/
l) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (separate document) must be strictly adhered to. https://omfa.ca/syllabus/
CLASSICAL VOICE – Open Level (ARCT and above)
Definition
Classical Voice 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. Measure numbers should be clearly marked in the score.
Competitors are allowed to transpose their selection higher or lower by a full tone.
Performance Requirements for Open Level Classical Voice
In the Classical Voice Open class, competitors will be given the opportunity to present a recital program which shows virtuosity, a high standard of performance ability and should include different genres/eras/styles etc. in classical voice.
a) The absolute maximum performance time is forty-five (45) 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 sing any number of selections 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) Competitors must perform in three (3) or more different languages (eg. English, French, Spanish, Italian, German).
e) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will consider choice of repertoire and balance of program in their adjudication.
f) Selections from the RCM Popular Selection List and the CC Idioms lists arenot permitted, including musical theatre, and popular (contemporary) pieces.
g) Selections listed in lower levels (Levels 1-10) in the RCM or CC Syllabus are not permitted.
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/