2024 Virtual Syllabus - Musical Theatre - Solo

All selections in 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

General Rules
a) One of the selections must have been performed at the Local Festival, 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. 
b) Original music for each selection must be shown on camera prior to your performance. Competitors must use the musical theatre/show version and perform from the published source (eg. anthology, compilation, score, digital sheet music).
c) Memorization is required. 
d) Two (2) simple handheld props (eg. comb, basket or book); one (1) standard rehearsal theatre box, one table and one chair are allowed. No other props will be permitted. 
e) Costumes are allowed, but will not be judged. 
f) Stage movement is allowed.
g) Dance breaks are not allowed and cannot be added to the selection.
h) 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).
i) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (omfa.ca/virtual-festival/rules-regulations) must be strictly adhered to.

Song Selections
a) Selections must be musically contrasting. It is recommended that one choice be up-tempo and the other a ballad. It is further recommended that the selections be from different musicals and composers. 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.

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/virtual-festival/rules-regulations) 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
a) 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.(omfa.ca/virtual-festival/songs-from-the-screen-and-more-solo).
b) Songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (List A and B from Levels 1-6).
c) Operetta/light opera selections (Gilbert & Sullivan, Romberg, Lehar, Johann Strauss)
d) Selections that are primarily spoken patter,( eg. 'Ya Got Trouble', The Music Man, 'Aaron Burr, Sir', Hamilton)
e) Selections from Junior show versions of musicals that have been cut or simplified
f) Vocal cuts except for repeated choruses
g) 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).

Video Submission Requirements
a) Videos must be submitted by your Local Festival's entry deadline date for Provincials.
b) Original music for each selection must be shown on camera prior to your performance. Competitors must use the musical theatre/show version and perform from the published source (eg. anthology, compilation, score, digital
sheet music
c)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.
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 the competitor's full 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 selections in the video, either verbally or with a title card before each piece and must be limited to the
following:
• your name
• the age level you have entered (eg. Primary)
• the composer's name,complete title of your selection and name of musical
(prior to each piece)
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.

Musical Theatre - Beginner and Primary - Solo

Performance Requirements:

Competitors must perform two (2) contrasting Musical Theatre selections. Make sure to read all of the rules regarding permitted repertoire. In particular songs that first appeared in animated films or television shows can only be entered in Songs from the Screen and More

The maximum performance times are listed below:

Beginner Level (Ages 6-8): Ten (10) minutes

Primary Level (Ages 9-10): Ten (10) minutes

There is no minimum performance time limit.

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.