2026 Festival Syllabus - Voice

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

Vocal Recital Classes      Participants must perform two (2) contrasting selections.  Selections may include any combination of Popular, Self-Accompanied or Singer-Songwriter selections (see below for details).

Popular Solo      Selections should be covers from commercial artists in a popular genre including Pop, Rock, Folk, R&B, Jazz, Blues, Country or Gospel.  Selections may also be from the CC Contemporary Idioms Vocal Syllabus (excluding Musical Theatre lists), or the Popular lists found in the RCM & CC Classical Voice Syllabi.  Participants may choose to perform with or without a microphone at the Beginner and Primary levels and must perform with a microphone for all other age groups.  Participants must perform with either live accompaniment or a backing track (see below for details).  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.

*Note: Participants should check the SSAM Song Chart as some popular songs may fit in the Songs From the Screen category (for example, if the song were included in a movie or musical production).  Songs from the SSAM Song Chart are not permitted in the Popular Voice classes.

Self-Accompanied Classes           Participants should refer to the Popular Solo description above for repertoire guidelines.  Participants must accompany themselves on piano, guitar or ukulele.  Accompaniment parts may be arranged or comped/improvised from a chord chart.  Participants may choose to perform with or without a microphone at the Beginner and Primary levels and must perform with a microphone for all other age groups.

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. Participants may choose to perform with or without a microphone at the Beginner and Primary levels and must perform with a microphone for all other age groups. (*Classical vocal compositions should be entered in the Composition division of the festival)

Vocal Ensemble Classes               Ensembles classes include Duets, Trios & Quartets, and participants must perform one (1) selection either A Capella or with live piano accompaniment (guitar, ukulele or instrumental backing tacks allowed for Popular Ensembles).

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.  For Popular Classes participants may sing with or without a microphone and may perform with accompaniment (self-accompanied allowed) or a backing track. 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.  For Popular Classes participants may sing with or without a microphone and may perform with accompaniment (self-accompanied allowed) or a backing track. 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        For Popular Voice classes live accompaniment may include piano, ukulele or guitar.

Backing Tracks                 For Popular Voice classes only, participants may choose to use a 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 prior to the festival class (registrants will be contacted with instructions for submission).  Backing tracks may be purchased from www.karaoke-version.com

Sheet Music/Lyrics         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).  For Popular songs participants may provide a lyric sheet but only if there is no sheet music available. 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.

Popular Solo, Self-Accompanied Solo  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

Popular - Non-Competitive