2025 Virtual Syllabus - Songs from the Screen and More - Solo

Songs that were written for, or first appeared in,
• a movie or film
• songs from animated films
• anime
• television shows or series
• songs from film musicals
• songs from musicals that have only been workshopped
• stand-alone songs in music theatre style.

Songs from the Screen and More Chart

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.
b) Memorization is required.
c) 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.
d) Costumes are allowed but will not be judged.
e) Stage movement is allowed.
f) Dance breaks are not allowed and cannot be added to the selection.
g) 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
h) 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) Songs that do not appear on the SSAM Suggested Song List must be submitted to the OMFA for approval prior to registering.
c) Selections must be musically contrasting. The Adjudicator will take song choice into consideration.
d) Spoken passages are only allowed if published in the score being used and cannot represent more than 10% of the selection.
e) 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.
f) 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.
g) Lengthy instrumental sections can be cut for performance.

Accompaniment
a) Accompaniment must be by acoustic piano only (live or digital piano back-tracks). Unless a selection is specifically written to be unaccompanied, it must have accompaniment or the video submission will be for adjudication only.
b) 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.

Selections Permitted - please refer to the SSAM Song List (omfa.ca/ssam-chart) for suggested repertoire.
a) Songs that were written for, or first appeared in, a movie or film (for exceptions see the SSAM Song List)
b) Songs from animated films, anime, movies or television shows/series
c) Songs from film musicals - singers must use film version arrangement (eg. 'Santa Fe', Newsies; 'Breaking Free', High School Musical; 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', The Wizard of Oz).
d) Songs from musicals that have only been workshopped (not fully staged)
e) Stand-alone songs in musical theatre style (eg. 'Girl in 14G'; 'Taylor the Latte Boy'; 'Daryl is a Boy').
f) Songs written for, but have been cut, from staged musicals (eg. 'More to the Story', Shrek, The Musical).
g) Songs from song cycles (eg. Edges, Tapes, Songs for a New World)
h) Duets that can be performed as a solo ( eg. 'I See the Light', Tangled; 'A Whole New World', Aladdin).

Selections NOT permitted - please refer to the SSAM Song List (omfa.ca/ssam-chart) for suggested repertoire.
a) Songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (Levels 1-6, Lists A and B, Levels 7 – 10 Lists A, B and C)
b) Songs that were originally written for live fully staged musicals and that were later made into movies (eg. The Sound of Music; West Side Story; My Fair Lady; Hamilton; In the Heights; Dear Evan Hansen; Wicked)
c) Operetta/light opera selections (eg. 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) Songs that were originally released as a commercial pop song and are later used in a jukebox musical must be entered in Popular Voice (eg. Moulin Rouge, Mamma Mia, Beautiful, &Juliet). See the SSAM Song List here.
f) Selections from Junior show versions of musicals that have been cut or simplified.

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.

b) 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).
c) 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.
d) The video must clearly show your complete body. A stationary camera position must be used throughout.
e) 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.
f) The video should be in the spirit of a recital or an audition and therefore you should dress appropriately.
g) 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)
h) 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.
i) All competitors must submit a complete video performance of both selections by your festival's entry deadline – no black screens allowed – to avoid disqualification.
j) All competitors must submit a PDF of each selection by their festival's entry deadline when registering.