2026 Festival Syllabus - Piano: Elementary
Elementary Piano Class Levels
Beginner/Preparatory A As a general guideline Beginner/Preparatory A is recommended for students who are in their first 1-2 years of study and are playing repertoire that reflects the level of the RCM Preparatory A list.
Novice/Preparatory B As a general guideline Novice/Preparatory B is recommended for students who have had 2 or more years of study and are playing repertoire that reflects the level of the RCM Preparatory B list.P
Preparatory-Level 2 Participants must enter a grade level that is higher than their most recent examination as of December 31st, 2025. For example, if a student passes a Level 3 exam in December, then they must enter classes at Level 4 or higher. If a student passes a Level 3 exam anytime after January 1, 2026 then they may still enter Level 3 classes.
Age Levels Participants must enter the age level based on their age as of January 1st, 2026, for competitive classes.
Elementary Piano Class Descriptions
Beginner/Novice Participants in the Beginner classes must perform two (2) selections (since the pieces are typically short at this level), and for the Novice classes participants must perform one (1) selection.
- Participants should register for “1st Entry” if they wish to participate in one (1) class, and both “1st Entry” AND “2nd Entry” if they wish to participate in two (2) classes.
Repertoire may be chosen from any Method Book, or the Preparatory A & B Syllabus lists, and “Teacher’s Choice” selections are permitted in any Beginner or Novice Level class. Teachers should consult the RCM Preparatory Repertoire lists to ensure the piece is appropriate for the chosen level.
List Classes (List A, List B, etc.) Participants must perform one (1) Selection from the appropriate grade level and list from the RCM Piano Syllabus 2022 Edition, CC Classical Piano Syllabus 2018 Edition or Loud and Clear: A Guide to Levelled Piano Music by Women Composers.
Etude Classes Levels 1-2: Participants must perform one (1) selection from the Etude list in the RCM Piano Syllabus. Levels 3-10: Participants must perform two (2) selections (as required by the RCM Piano Syllabus). Participants may replace one etude with a work included in any edition of the RCM Popular Selection List. and one selection. Etudes do not need to be memorized.
Contemporary Classes Contemporary selections must be written after 1960 (inclusive), and do not have to be included in any published syllabus (Teacher/Student choice). Contemporary music is defined as a wide range of compositions that have both classical and modern elements. Repertoire that is included in the RCM or CC Classical Syllabi, or Popular repertoire (see definition below) is not permitted. Selections from the CC Contemporary Idioms Piano Lists are permitted (but not required). Participants may also refer to the OMFA Contemporary Piano Guidelines for a list of suggested resources.
Canadian Classes Participants must perform one (1) selection from any syllabus list at the appropriate grade level that is written by a Canadian composer.
Popular Piano 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. Selections from the RCM Popular Piano Lists are permitted (but not required). Participants must enter the level based on their age as of January 1st, 2026.
Recital Classes Participants must perform two (2) contrasting selections and should enter the level that they are generally enrolled in. Teacher’s Choice selections are permitted (repertoire does not need to be included on a syllabus list). The difficultly of the repertoire should be at their enrolled level or higher. The total performance time must be within the following time limits: Levels 1-5 Maximum 6 Minutes, Levels 6-8 Maximum 10 Minutes, Level 9-10 Maximum 15 Minutes, Diploma 20 Minutes.
Piano Rules & Regulations
Failure to follow the Rules & Regulations below will disqualify participants from receiving a mark or class placement. Participants may still receive written and verbal evaluations from the adjudicator. *Participants should consult the General Rules & Regulations.
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 piano classes, except for Etude classes (Levels 1-10) and Piano Ensemble classes.
Multi-movement Selections One (1) Selection may consist of multiple movements, where specified in the RCM or CC Syllabus. 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. For Recital Classes no more than two (2) contrasting movements are permitted to be played for a selection.
OMFA Provincial Requirements
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.
Classical Piano 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.
Contemporary & Popular Piano, Piano Duets & Trios One (1) selection must be performed.
Piano Resources
Classical Piano: Preparatory
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:50010 - Beginner/Preparatory A: 1st Entry Participants in the Beginner classes must perform two (2) selections for each class registration. Participants should register for "1st Entry" if they wish to participate in one (1) class. | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50020 - Beginner/Preparatory A: 2nd Entry Participants should register for both "1st Entry" AND "2nd Entry" if they wish to participate in two (2) classes. | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50030 - Novice/Preparatory B: Solo | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50040 - Novice/Preparatory B: Recital Participants must perform two (2) selections for recital classes. | Fee:$47.00 | Register |
Classical Piano: Level 1
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:50100 - Level 1: List A | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50110 - Level 1: List B | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50120 - Level 1: List C | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50140 - Level 1: Canadian | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50130 - Level 1: Etude | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50150 - Level 1: Recital Participants must perform two (2) selections for recital classes. | Fee:$47.00 | Register |
Classical Piano: Level 2
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:50200 - Level 2: List A | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50210 - Level 2: List B | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50220 - Level 2: List C | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50230 - Level 2: Etude | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50240 - Level 2: Canadian | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:50250 - Level 2: Recital Participants must perform two (2) selections for recital classes. | Fee:$47.00 | Register |