2025 Festival Syllabus - Guitar
GUITAR CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Guitar Solo Participants must perform one (1) selection from the appropriate grade level and any Repertoire list in either the RCM Classical Guitar Syllabus 2018 Edition or the CC Classical Guitar Syllabus.
Guitar Recital Participants must perform two contrasting (2) selections from the appropriate grade level and where applicable from different Repertoire lists (Level 2 and above) in the RCM or CC Syllabus. For example, if the grade level includes List A & List B the participant should play one (1) selection from each list. If there is a List C or D, then the participant may choose which two (2) Lists to select from.
Etude Classes Participants must perform one (1) Etude for Preparatory and Level 1 classes, and two (2) contrasting Etudes/Studies for Levels 2-10, from the appropriate grade level.
Popular Classes Participants must perform one (1) selection for Solo classes or two (2) selections for Recital classes. Popular selections should be covers from commercial artists in any of the following genres: Pop, Folk, R&B, Soul, Rock, Alternative, Indie, Jazz or Country. Songs listed in the RCM or CC syllabus are not permitted. Popular selections must be performed with either live accompaniment or an instrumental backing track. For Popular classes participants must enter the level based on their age as of December 31st, 2024.
Duets & Trios Participants must perform one (1) selection in the appropriate genre and must enter the age level of the oldest participant based on their age as of December 31st, 2024, for competitive classes.
Non-Competitive & Adult Amateur Classes Participants must perform one (1) selection for Solo classes and must perform two (2) selections for Recital classes in the appropriate genre. Participants will receive a written and verbal adjudication, as well as a Participation Ribbon, but will not be given marks or class placements and are not eligible for financial awards. Non-Competitive classes will be organized based on registration so that participants of similar ages and levels will be grouped together. Adults ages 29 and above must enter at the Adult Amateur level, and Adult & Child groups may enter non-competitive ensemble classes.
GUITAR RULES & REGULATIONS
Repertoire Selections Participants cannot perform the same selection in different classes (for example, if a participant enters both a Guitar Solo class and a Guitar Recital class then they must perform 3 different selections).
Multi-movement Selections One (1) selection may consist of multiple movements, where specified in the RCM or CC Syllabus (ex. Sonatas & Concertos). Participants must perform the movement(s) specified in the syllabus where applicable. For example, the syllabus may require that only one movement of a piece be played, or that two or more specific movements be played.
Time Limit Total performance time must not exceed twenty (20) minutes in total for any class. In cases where multiple movements are to be performed, and the total performance time would exceed twenty (20) minutes participants may omit one (1) movement subject to the approval of the KWKMF Coordinator. Selected movements should be contrasting and should reflect the difficulty level of the class.
Sheet Music Participants must provide the adjudicator with a legally purchased copy of the music for all selections (a purchase receipt or IMSLP listing must be presented for digital copies), even when the piece is being performed by memory. Refer to section 7.14 of the Rules, Regulations & Guidelines for more information about Copyright.
Memorization is required for all competitive guitar classes, except for Etude classes.
OMFA Provincial Requirements
Classical Guitar Solo Two (2) selections must be performed (optional: three (3) selections for Open level), and selections must be in the current RCM or CC Syllabi (no exceptions). One (1) selection may be an etude.
Popular Guitar & Guitar Duets & Trios One (1) selection must be performed.
Participants should consult the OMFA Syllabus guidelines (www.omfa.ca) if they are interested in participating in the OMFA Provincials, as the OMFA requirements may differ from the KW Kiwanis Music Festival Syllabus. At least one (1) selection must have received a mark of 85 at the local festival.
Guitar Resources
CC Classical Guitar Syllabus
CC Contemporary Idioms Guitar Syllabus
RCM Classical Guitar Syllabus, 2018 Edition