2024 Virtual 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 must follow the rules of this category. It is important to note that both pieces must be in either the Royal Conservatory (RCM) or Conservatory Canada (CC) syllabus.
b) Both selections must be at the same level that was recommended by the adjudicator. Different grade levels are not permitted. If the competitor has taken an exam prior to December 31st, 2023, 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) 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) 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.
f) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will take song choice into consideration.
g) "Teacher's Choice" pieces are not permitted.

General
h) Memorization is required.
i) 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).
j) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (omfa.ca/virtual-festival/rules-regulations) must be strictly adhered to.

Accompaniment
k) Accompaniment must be by acoustic piano only (live or back-tracks). Unless a piece is specifically written to be unaccompanied, it must have accompaniment or the video submission will be for adjudication only.
l) 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 provide recorded accompaniments. It is the competitor's responsibility to contact the collaborative pianist directly and negotiate a fee for their service.

Video Submission Requirements
m) Videos must be submitted by your Local Festival's entry deadline date for Provincials.
n) 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.
o) Only YouTube videos will be permitted (i.e. google drives, vimeo, mp3's, mp4's, dropbox etc. are not permitted). Each performance requires a separate YouTube link. Performance videos should not be combined.
p) All videos must have "YouTube kid" settings turned off. You may choose to have your video "unlisted" but "private" videos are not permitted. Please also ensure that the video is allowed to be embedded in other programs.
q) The video must clearly show your full body and instrument. A stationary camera position must be used throughout.
r) No mixing or sound enhancement is allowed through any kind of soundboard, including a recording studio or computer. No reverb can be added to the recording. The recording must be honest and acoustic – as if the adjudicators were in the room listening to you perform live. You must perform live on the video. No audio dubbing over your video is allowed.
s) The video should be in the spirit of a recital or an audition and therefore you should dress appropriately.
t) 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)
u) Do not announce your teacher's name, where you are from or at which local festival you performed. Do not use your teacher's YouTube channel to submit your videos.

Classical Upper Strings - Levels 1-5 - Solo

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The maximum performance time limit is fifteen (15) minutes.

Both pieces must be at the level the competitor was recommended for.

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 (your YouTube video link, the PDF of your music 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".