2025 Virtual Syllabus - Popular Voice - Solo

All selections in this category must be covers from commercial artists and/or an original composition.

General Rules
a) One original score for each selection 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) for each selection must be presented to the Registration desk for the Adjudicator's use on the day of competition. If a competitor cannot purchase the original music, then they should submit printed lyrics and show a receipt for purchase of the songs from either Apple Music, Spotify or Amazon.
b) All selections must be sung from memory.
c) 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 ($5000/year) 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).
d) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (omfa.ca/live-festival/rules-and-regulations) must be strictly adhered to.

Song Selections
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) Competitors must perform two (2) contrasting selections in any of the following genres: pop, pop/ folk, R & B, soul, rock, alternative, indie, jazz or country.
c) Selections from Conservatory Canada Contemporary Idioms Voice lists and the RCM List C (Levels 1-6) and RCM List D (Levels 7-10) are eligible excluding musical theatre, operetta and contemporary selections that are not covers.
d) Competitors must choose selections that are age appropriate with lyrics that are suitable for all audiences.
e) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will take the choice of repertoire into consideration.

Accompaniment
a) Accepted accompaniment must only be backtracks - mp3's only - without background vocals. Instrumental accompaniment will be allowed. No self-accompaniment is allowed – please see Popular Voice Self-Accompanied category. Suggested resource - tracks can be purchased from www.karaoke-version.com where customization of tracks is possible (key change, removal of background vocals etc.).

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) Each performance requires a separate YouTube link. Performance videos must NOT be combined. 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 selections in the video, either verbally or with a title card before each selection which must be limited to the following:
- your name
- the level you have entered (Beginner or Primary)
- the composer's name and complete Title of your selection (prior to each 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 each selection by their festival's entry deadline when registering.