2025 Virtual Syllabus - Musical Theatre - Duets and Trios

All selections from this category must be from STAGED Musical Theatre productions only.

Songs that first appeared in animated films or television shows can only be entered in Songs from the Screen and More – see SSAM Song List: omfa.ca/ssam-chart

General Rules

a) The maximum age is 28 years old as of December 31,2024 for all levels except Adult.
b) Competitors must enter the class corresponding to the age of the oldest member of the duet/trio.
c) One original score or purchased digital music with attached receipt showing title and fee paid (not a cover page, Pro credit or subscription to a sharing website, eg. Scribd, Everand, Musescore) must be presented to the Registration desk for the Adjudicator's use on the day of competition.
d) Memorization is required.
e) Two (2) simple handheld props (e.g. comb, basket or book); one (1) standard rehearsal theatre box, one table and one chair are allowed. No other props will be permitted.
f) Costumes are allowed but will not be judged.
g) Stage movement is allowed.
h) Dance breaks are not allowed and cannot be added to the selection.
i) All competitors must be an amateur which shall be defined as any person whose principle means of livelihood is not obtained from the performance or teaching of music in the particular category in which they are competing, even though, from time to time, they may receive remuneration on an occasional basis (not full-time). 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.
k) For the purpose of this competition:
• Adult and Child Duets: Adult is defined as anyone over the age of 19, performing with a younger child

Song Selections
a) Competitors are required to sing one selection only which must have been performed at the Local Festival and received a mark of 85 and the recommendation of the local Adjudicator. The Adjudicator will take song choice into consideration.
b) Spoken passages are only allowed if published in the score being used and cannot represent more than 10% of the selection.
c) Competitors are allowed to transpose music higher or lower, but the integrity of the composer's intention with respect to the character must be observed.
d) Selections should be age/culturally appropriate and suitable for all audiences. OMFA reserves the right to reject any selections that are deemed inappropriate, either in style or content.
e) Lengthy instrumental sections can be cut for performance.

Accompaniment
a) Accompaniment must be with acoustic piano – live or recorded.
b) If you do not have a collaborative pianist (accompanist), the people on this list (omfa.ca/collaborative-pianists-accompanists) have indicated that they are willing to play and record your selections for the virtual festival. It is the competitor's responsibility to contact the collaborative pianist directly and negotiate a fee for their service.

NOT Permitted
• Musicals that have only been workshopped, songs from revues, cabarets or songs that are written as stand-alone songs in musical theatre style – this repertoire now belongs in Songs from the Screen and More. Please refer to the SSAM Song List (omfa.ca/ssam-chart) for suggested MT and SSAM repertoire.
• Songs from Movie Musicals or TV Shows
• Songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (List A and B from Levels 1-6).
• Operetta/light opera selections (Gilbert & Sullivan, Romberg, Lehar, Johann Strauss)
• Selections that are primarily spoken patter ( eg. 'Ya Got Trouble', The Music Man; 'Aaron Burr, Sir', Hamilton)
• Selections from Junior show versions of musicals that have been cut or simplified
• Vocal cuts except for repeated choruses
* Songs that first appeared in animated films or television shows can only be entered in Songs from the Screen and More. (i.e. most Disney movies) - please refer to the SSAM Song List (omfa.ca/ssam-chart).

Video Submission Requirements
a) Videos must be submitted by your Local Festival's entry deadline date for Provincials.
b) Competitors must show on camera prior to the performance one of the following:
• original score of the music or
• book (show cover and open to first page) or
• purchased digital music with attached receipt showing title and fee paid for each selection.

Not allowed:
• cover page
• Pro credit (Musicnotes)
• subscription to a sharing website eg. Scribd, Everand, Musescore)
• Teacher's names on scores, books or digital music must be covered to avoid disqualification.

c) The performance requires a separate YouTube link. Only YouTube videos will be permitted (i.e. google drives, Vimeo, mp3's, mp4's, Dropbox etc. are not permitted).
d) All videos must have 'YouTube Kids' 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.
e) The video must clearly show your complete body. A stationary camera position must be used throughout.
f) 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.
g) The video should be in the spirit of a recital or an audition and therefore you should dress appropriately.
h) You are required to introduce yourself and your selection in the video, either verbally or with a title card which must be limited to the following:
• your name
• the level you have entered
• the composer's name and complete Title of your selection
i) 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.
j) All competitors must submit a complete video performance of both selections by your festival's entry deadline – no black screens allowed – to avoid disqualification.
k) All competitors must submit a PDF of their selection by their festival's entry deadline when registering.