2026 Festival Syllabus - Voice
Musical Theatre
Voice Class Levels
Age Levels For age level classes participants must enter the level based on their age as of January 1st, 2026. For vocal ensemble classes participants must enter the age level of the oldest participant based on their age as of January 1st, 2026.
Community (non-competitive) Classes Community classes will be organized based on registration so that participants of similar ages and levels will be grouped together. Adult-Child groups may enter Community (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 in the appropriate category.
Vocal Recital Classes Participants must perform two (2) contrasting selections. Musical Theatre Recital classes may include any combination of Golden Age and Contemporary selections (excluding Songs From the Screen selections). Songs From the Screen Recital classes amy include any selections from this category.
Musical Theatre Golden Age (1974 & earlier), Contemporary (1975 & later) and Sondheim selections must be from a fully staged musical theatre production and participants must use versions of the songs as shown in the production book/score (Junior show versions are not allowed). Selections may be Teacher’s Choice or students may choose from the CC Contemporary Idioms Vocal Syllabus, or the Musical Theatre lists found in the RCM & CC Classical Voice Syllabi. Songs From the Screen & More selections are not permitted in the Musical Theatre Solo or Recital classes (consult the SSAM Song Chart for guidance) .
*Participants may choose to wear costumes and/or use handheld props for any Musical Theatre class (not required).
Songs from the Screen & More Participants may choose songs that were written for or first appeared in animated films, movies, television, revues, cabarets, stand-alone songs in musical theatre style or songs from musicals that were not fully staged or produced. Selections must either be included in the SSAM Song Chart (which also lists excluded selections), or they must be submitted to the KWKMF Coordinator for approval. (Excluded selections may be songs that were originally written for a live production, songs that were originally released as a Pop song, selections that are primarily spoken, Junior show or simplified versions).
Vocal Ensemble Classes Ensembles classes include Duets, Trios & Quartets, and participants must perform one (1) selection either A Capella or with live piano accompaniment.
Community (non-competitive) Classes Participants must perform one (1) selection for Solo and Ensemble 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 or OMFA Provincials recommendations. Community (non-competitive) classes will be organized based on registration so that participants of similar ages and levels will be grouped together.
Adult Amateur Classes Participants must perform one (1) selection for Solo and Ensemble classes and must perform two (2) selections for Recital classes in the appropriate genre. Participants will receive verbal and written feedback and will be eligible for OMFA Provincials nominations if they receive a mark of 85% or above (marks will be recorded privately and will not be shared with the class).
Voice 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.
Accompaniment Participants must perform with live piano accompaniment for all Musical Theatre classes and performers must make their own arrangements for an accompanist (except for Ensembles which may choose to sing A Capella).
Sheet Music Participants must provide the adjudicator with a legally purchased copy of the music for all selections (unless listed on IMSLP) even when the piece is being performed by memory. For digital copies of music that was purchased online either 1) the participant’s or parent’s name must be shown on the sheet music as the owner, or 2) a purchase receipt must be provided (in cases where the teacher made the purchase on behalf of a student the teacher may issue a receipt to show proof of purchase). Refer to the General Rules, Regulations & Guidelines for more information about Copyright.
Vocal Cuts Vocals cuts are not permitted, with an exception for a repeated chorus.
Mature Content/Censorship Disclaimer: For 15+ age groups (Intermediate level and above) music selections may contain offensive language and/or content that may explore mature themes, viewer discretion is advised. For ages 14 and below selections should be age appropriate and participants should avoid offensive language and mature content.
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
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 Solos (all genres) Two (2) selections must be performed for Intermediate levels and below, three (3) selections must be performed at the Senior level and four (4) selections at the Advanced level.
Vocal Duets & Trios One (1) selection must be performed.
Vocal Quartets Quartets are eligible for the Small Ensemble division. One (1) or two (2) selections may be performed.
Adult Amateur Solo Two (2) selections must be performed.
Voice Resources
- CC Classical Voice Syllaubs
- CC Contemporary Idioms Voice Syllabus
- RCM Classical Voice Syllabus, 2025 Edition
- OMFA Songs From the Screen Song Chart
Musical Theatre - Non-Competitive
Musical Theatre - Beginner (Ages 8 & Under)
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:75110 - Golden Age (pre 1974) | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:75120 - Contemporary (post 1975) | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:75130 - Sondheim | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:75140 - Songs from the Screen and More | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:75150 - Musical Theatre Recital | Fee:$47.00 | Register |
| Class:75160 - Songs From the Screen Recital | Fee:$47.00 | Register |
| Class:75170 - Ensemble | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
Musical Theatre - Primary (Ages 9-10)
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:75210 - Golden Age (pre 1974) | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:75220 - Contemporary (post 1975) | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:75230 - Sondheim | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:75240 - Songs from the Screen and More | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
| Class:75250 - Musical Theatre Recital | Fee:$47.00 | Register |
| Class:75260 - Songs From the Screen Recital | Fee:$47.00 | Register |
| Class:75270 - Ensemble | Fee:$32.00 | Register |
Musical Theatre - Elementary (Ages 11-12)
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:75310 - Golden Age (pre 1974) | Fee:$36.00 | Register |
| Class:75320 - Contemporary (post 1975) | Fee:$36.00 | Register |
| Class:75330 - Sondheim | Fee:$36.00 | Register |
| Class:75340 - Songs from the Screen and More | Fee:$36.00 | Register |
| Class:75350 - Musical Theatre Recital | Fee:$51.00 | Register |
| Class:75360 - Songs From the Screen Recital | Fee:$51.00 | Register |
| Class:75370 - Ensemble | Fee:$36.00 | Register |
Musical Theatre - Junior (Ages 13-14)
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:75410 - Golden Age (pre 1974) | Fee:$36.00 | Register |
| Class:75420 - Contemporary (post 1975) | Fee:$36.00 | Register |
| Class:75430 - Sondheim | Fee:$36.00 | Register |
| Class:75440 - Songs from the Screen and More | Fee:$36.00 | Register |
| Class:75450 - Musical Theatre Recital | Fee:$51.00 | Register |
| Class:75460 - Songs From the Screen Recital | Fee:$51.00 | Register |
| Class:75470 - Ensemble | Fee:$36.00 | Register |
Musical Theatre - Intermediate (Ages 15-16)
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:75510 - Golden Age (pre 1974) | Fee:$40.00 | Register |
| Class:75520 - Contemporary (post 1975) | Fee:$40.00 | Register |
| Class:75530 - Sondheim | Fee:$40.00 | Register |
| Class:75540 - Songs from the Screen and More | Fee:$40.00 | Register |
| Class:75550 - Musical Theatre Recital | Fee:$55.00 | Register |
| Class:75560 - Songs From the Screen Recital | Fee:$55.00 | Register |
| Class:75570 - Ensemble | Fee:$40.00 | Register |
Musical Theatre - Senior (Ages 17-18)
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:75610 - Golden Age (pre 1974) | Fee:$44.00 | Register |
| Class:75620 - Contemporary (post 1975) | Fee:$44.00 | Register |
| Class:75630 - Sondheim | Fee:$44.00 | Register |
| Class:75640 - Songs from the Screen and More | Fee:$44.00 | Register |
| Class:75650 - Musical Theatre Recital | Fee:$59.00 | Register |
| Class:75660 - Songs From the Screen Recital | Fee:$59.00 | Register |
| Class:75670 - Ensemble | Fee:$44.00 | Register |
Musical Theatre - Advanced (Ages 19-28)
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:75710 - Golden Age (pre 1974) | Fee:$44.00 | Register |
| Class:75720 - Contemporary (post 1975) | Fee:$44.00 | Register |
| Class:75730 - Sondheim | Fee:$44.00 | Register |
| Class:75740 - Songs from the Screen and More | Fee:$44.00 | Register |
| Class:75750 - Musical Theatre Recital | Fee:$59.00 | Register |
| Class:75760 - Songs From the Screen Recital | Fee:$59.00 | Register |
| Class:75770 - Ensemble | Fee:$44.00 | Register |