2024 Virtual Syllabus - Small Ensembles

Definition
Small Ensembles are for groups with 4 to 15 members.

Examples of groups who can enter this class include:
• Small Bands and Orchestras (performing popular music)
• Garage or Rock Bands
• Small Choirs, Glee Choirs, Choral Speech
• Musical Theatre Ensembles
• Speech Arts Ensembles
• Ensembles made up of multiple instruments or the same instrument

Piece Selection
a) Competitors must perform either one (1) or two (2) selections, one of which was performed at the originating local festival, received a minimum mark of 85 and have received the recommendation of the local Adjudicator.
b) The second selection is optional and is the competitor's own choice but must not be another movement from the first selection.
c) Only one selection may have a brief solo or solo ensemble passage. The total number of bars of a solo or solo ensemble passage(s) may not exceed 20% of the total length of the selection.
d) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will take choice of repertoire into consideration.
g) A pdf of the original scores must be submitted with the registration. It must be a complete original score in the correct key.
h) If not already in the score, bar numbers should be placed at the beginning of each line of music in the original score.

General
i) All copyright laws must be observed.
j) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (omfa.ca/virtual-festival/rules-regulations) must be strictly adhered to.

Video Submission Requirements
k) Videos must be submitted by your Local Festival's entry deadline date for Provincials.
l) 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.
m) 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.
n) 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.
o) The video must clearly show the complete ensemble. The camera must remain stationary.
p) 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.
q) 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 and the Name of the Group
• The Level you have entered
• The Composer and Complete Title of your selection (prior to each piece).
r) 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.

Small Ensembles

Performance Requirements and Classes of Competition for all Small Ensembles

Competitors must perform two (2) contrasting selections

Small Ensemble – Majority of members are under 10 – Twenty (20) minutes
Small Ensemble – Majority of members are under 12 – Twenty (20) minutes
Small Ensemble – Majorify of Member are under 14 – Twenty (20) minutes
Small Ensemble – Majority of members are under 16 – Twenty (20) minutes
Small Ensemble – Majority of members are under 19 - Twenty (20) minutes
Small Ensemble – Majority of members are over 19 – Twenty (20) 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.
 
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".