2025 Festival Syllabus - Voice
Classical Voice
Voice Class Levels
Age Levels For age level classes participants must enter the level based on their age as of December 31st, 2024. For vocal ensemble classes participants must enter the age level of the oldest participant based on their age as of December 31st, 2024.
Non-Competitive Classes Non-Competitive classes will be organized based on registration so that participants of similar ages and levels will be grouped together. Adult-Child groups may enter Non-Competitive Ensemble classes.
Adult Amateur Classes Adults ages 29 & above must enter at this level.
Voice Class Descriptions
Vocal Solo Classes Participants must perform one (1) selection
Vocal Recital Classes Participants must perform two (2) contrasting selections. For Classical Classes at the Intermediate level and higher each selection must be in a different language.
Classical Repertoire Selections are Teacher's/Student's choice and do not need to follow a graded syllabus list as long as they fit the classical genre (for example: traditional folksongs and art songs, etc). Participants may use the RCM Voice Syllabus 2019 Edition or CC Classical Voice Syllabus 2018 Edition as a guideline in repertoire selection but are not limited to these lists. Opera, Operetta and Oratorio selections (including Recitatives in Arias) are only permitted at the Senior and Advanced levels. Repertoire that is not permitted: Vocalises/Stand-Alone Recitatives, Popular or Musical Theatre (RCM: Levels 1-6 List C, Levels 7-10 List D, ARCT List F & CC: Levels 1-6 List C, Level 7 List D, Level 8-10 List E).
Classical Duets & Trios Participants must perform one (1) selection either A Capella or with live piano accompaniment.
Voice Rules & Regulations
Accompaniment Participants must perform with live piano accompaniment for all Classical Voice classes and performers must make their own arrangements for an accompanist (except for Ensembles which may choose to sing A Capella).
Sheet Music/Lyrics 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.
Original Language For Classical vocal classes, selections must be sung in their original language.
Gender Roles Participants may sing whatever role or gender they feel applicable to themselves and any story line they would like to portray.
Memorization is required for all competitive voice classes.
OMFA Provincial Requirements
Classical Voice Two (2) selections must be performed, except for the Advanced level where three (3) selections must be performed (one selection must be opera, operetta or oratorio).
Vocal Duets & Trios One (1) selection must be performed.
Adult Amateur Solo Two (2) selections 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.
Voice Resources
CC Classical Voice Syllabus
OMFA Songs from the Screen Syllabus
CC Contemporary Idioms Voice Syllabus
RCM Classical Voice Syllabus, 2019 Edition