2025 Festival Syllabus - 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.

Popular Classes Selections should be covers from commercial artists in a popular genre including Pop, Rock, Folk, R&B, Jazz, Blues, Country or Gospel. See below under Rules & Regulations regarding the use of microphones and backing tracks.

Self-Accompanied Classes Participants must accompany themselves on piano, guitar or ukulele (see repertoire guidelines above). Instrumental parts may be arranged by the participant. See below under Rules & Regulations regarding the use of microphones.

Singer-Songwriter Classes Participants must perform their own composition in a popular style and may perform with piano, guitar or ukulele (self-accompanied) or a backing track. Participants must provide a lyric sheet to the adjudicator. (Classical vocal compositions should be entered in the Composition division of the festival). See below under Rules & Regulations regarding the use of microphones.

Vocal Ensemble Classes Participants must perform one (1) selection either A Capella or with live piano accompaniment (guitar, ukulele or instrumental backing tacks allowed for Popular Ensembles).

Voice Rules & Regulations
Microphones Microphones are optoinal at the Non-Competitive, Adult Amateur, Beginner and Primary levels. For all other age groups (Intermediate to Advanced) participants must use a microphone in Popular voice classes.

Backing Tracks For Competitive Popular classes only, participants must use an instrumental backing track that does not have back-up vocals. Backing tracks must not exceed 5 minutes in length and performers are encouraged to use tracks with limited instrumental breaks (edited tracks/ reductions are allowed). Backing tracks must be provided as an MP3 file prior to the festival class (registrants will be contacted with instructions for submission). Backing tracks may be purchased from www.karaoke-version.com

*A sound system will be provided with a microphone at the venue. Participants have the option to bring their own microphone which should use a standard XLR cable.

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. For Popular songs participants may provide a lyric sheet but only if there is no sheet music available.

Vocal Cuts Vocals cuts are not permitted, with an exception for a repeated chorus.

Mature Content/Censorship Disclaimer: For 16+ age groups music selections may contain offensive language and/or content that may explore mature themes, viewer discretion is advised. For ages 15 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, except for Popular Self-Accompanied classes.

OMFA Provincial Requirements
Popular, Self-Accompanied Two (2) selections must be performed (optional: three (3) selections for 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. Microphones and backing tracks required for Popular.

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.

Complete Rules & Regulations

Popular - Non-Competitive