2026 Syllabus - Popular Piano

Classes are grouped by AGE for those performing popular covers from commercial artists. i.e. pieces that have been heard on the radio, or in TV and movies, from 1950 onwards.

Memorization is required, unless stated otherwise.
Neurodiverse participants requiring accommodations must contact the Festival Administrator directly admin@kiwanismusicfestival.net. 
Participants must provide the adjudicator with an original copy of the music. Failure to do so will result in a "for adjudication only" performance.

SOLO SELECTIONS
Music is own choice but must be a popular cover of a commercial artist. Popular piano pieces can be from any of the following genres: pop, pop/ folk, R & B, soul, rock, alternative, indie, jazz or country.
Students may choose pieces from Conservatory Canada's Contemporary Idioms, or from RCM's Popular Selection List, if the pieces meet the criteria listed above.
NOT PERMITTED: Rap and Hip Hop, songs listed in the RCM or CC classical piano syllabi, pieces from Christopher Norton anthologies, or pieces from contemporary repertoire anthologies.

OWN COMPOSITION

Scores must be typeset or musically engraved so they can be forwarded electronically to our composition adjudicator by the deadline. Free typesetting programs are available online.

Please note the yearly deadline for score submission. Late entries cannot be accepted. Scores must be emailed to: musicgck90@gmail.com  

All composition classes require an audio or video recording to accompany the score that is then adjudicated by a composition specialist. Awards are given for the actual composition, not the performance. Once the score is submitted, that is the version that must be performed at the Festival. 

Students are required to perform their piece at the Festival during a composition performance class, which is included in the entry fee.  Memorization is not required.

Classical composition scores are now eligible for Provincial nomination. Composition classes count as one (1) class in the discipline.

AWARDS
Enter a minimum of two (2) classes in this discipline to be eligible for a Festival Award.

PROVINCIALS
Beginner to Adult levels are eligible for Provincial nomination.
The adjudicator recommends one piece for performance at Provincials. The second contrasting piece is the performer's choice but must match the discipline's criteria.
Check Provincial rules at www.omfa.ca - the Ontario Music Festival Association's website.