CONTESTANT QUALIFICATION , REPERTOIRE , CONTESTANT
CONDUCT , GUIDELINES FOR
LOCAL FESTIVALS , PERFORMANCE
REGULATIONS (Classes) - SENIOR , PERFORMANCE
REGULATIONS (Classes) - JUNIORS , CHORAL REGULATIONS , Musical Theatre - Senior ,
Musical Theatre - Junior
I - CONTESTANT QUALIFICATION -
JUNIOR and SENIOR
1. It is the responsibility of each contestant to read and comply
with the rules and regulations governing the Provincial Music Festival,
including the Concept and Dress Code as set out in competition
guidelines. If clarification or assistance is needed, contestants
should contact the Provincial Administrator/Registrar.
2. The Provincial Music Festival competition shall be open to
live performance non-professional musicians residing or studying in
Nova Scotia who perform at festivals affiliated through the Federation
of Music Festivals of Nova Scotia.
3. A non-professional shall be defined as a person whose
principal means of livelihood is not obtained from the performance of
music in the particular category in which he or she is competing. This
stipulation does not, however, preclude such a person having
occasionally received remuneration for musical services rendered, even
in the area in which he or she is competing.
4. Contestants in Senior Classes 1 through 7 and 13 shall not be
over the age of 28 on December 31 prior to the Provincial Festival.
Local Festivals must obtain proof of age. Contestants in Junior Classes
101 through 107 &113 shall not be over age 18 as of December 31
prior to the Provincial Festival.
5. A written recommendation from the adjudicator is necessary
before any contestant may advance from the Local Festival to the
Provincial Level. The recommendation from the Local Level must be
signed by the contestant, signifying knowledge of and agreement with
the General Regulations. Deadlines for entries to the Provincial Music
Festival should be received by the Registrar one month from the
conclusion of the local festival or by May 16 whichever comes first.
6. Solo contestants may enter the Nova Scotia Provincial Music
Festival classes in local festivals only if they reside or study in
Nova Scotia, and may be recommended to the Provincial Level by only one
festival in Nova Scotia.
7. The majority (51%) of members in a chamber group must study or
reside in Nova Scotia.
8. No marks shall be given but the winner in each class at the
Provincial Level shall be named.
9. Should a regular member of a Chamber Group (for valid reasons)
be unable to proceed to the Provincial Music Festival, one substitution
will be permitted.
10. Arrangements will be made for contestants by the Host Festival to
practice at the Provincial Music Festival.
11. Senior: A first-place winner in Classes 1 through 7 at the
Provincial Music Festival who has placed first at the National Festival
shall not be eligible to compete in the same class at succeeding
Provincial Music Festivals in the following 3 years.
12. There shall be no non-sanctioned recording or photographing of
contestants during performances.
13. The President of the Federation of Music Festivals of Nova Scotia
shall be the final authority in all matters pertaining to the
Provincial Festival.
1. A high standard of music selection is expected at each level,
both Local Festival and Provincial Festival.
SENIOR: Selections must be of
advanced difficulty and should include at least one large scale work,
as defined in Va, #1.
JUNIOR: Juniors must be performing at
least Grade 8 (Grade 7 for voice) repertoire as recognized by any
Canadian Conservatory of Music (Grade 4 for Chamber Group as defined by
Music Company literature).
2. All copyrights must be observed. Photocopies or manual copies
of copyright music will not be accepted, unless written permission has
been obtained from the publisher. Contestants must provide original
scores of music, containing solo and accompaniment in the proper key,
for the adjudicator. The accompanist must perform from another original
score, and members of chamber groups must perform from original parts.
Failure to do so automatically disqualifies the contestant. As an aid
to the adjudicator, contestants must number the first bar of each line
in their scores.
3. Memory work is mandatory in Senior Classes 1 through 6 and 16,
and Junior Class 101. It is strongly recommended that contestants
perform from memory in Junior Classes 102 through 106 and 116.
4. Contestants in solo classes who have previously competed at
the Provincial Level shall not repeat repertoire previously used in
competition. In the Chamber Group class, if more than one member
returns, no repetition of music will be allowed.
5. Contestants shall be responsible for providing their own
accompanists and covering the accompanists' expenses.
Accompaniment is restricted to one (1) piano in Senior Classes 1
through 6 (4 excluded) as well as 13, and in Junior Classes101 through
106 (104 excluded) as well as 113. The accompanist's name must be
submitted with registration.
for both Junior and Senior
competitors in the
PROVINCIAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
This code has been developed to provide the best conditions for
competitors in the Provincial Music Festival. Competitors should always
remember they are guests of the Provincial Music Festival.
1. After arriving at the Festival, contestants are to remain for
the duration of the Festival and take part in all functions such as
performance workshops, classes, adjudications and the Grand Awards
Concert.
2. Performance adjudications will be given following the
conclusion of the Provincial class. Workshops will be scheduled on
either of the two festival days. Unless there are extenuating
circumstances, it is expected that all contestants will attend these
workshops prepared to perform.
3. Contestants are prohibited from being in contact with the
adjudicators until competitions are completed.
4. All contestants are expected to attend the Grand Awards
Concert. The winners are required to perform. Formal attire is
required for all performers.
5. Contestants must be considerate of others by observing
practice and rehearsal times.
6. Practice rooms will be available for all contestants and
accompanists.
7. Contestants are encouraged to attend as many of the
competitions as possible.
8. No alcoholic beverages or illegal substances are allowed on
the Festival site. Any infringement of this rule will lead to
disqualification.
9. The Federation of Music Festivals of Nova Scotia is not
responsible for lost or damaged musical instruments.
IV - GUIDELINES FOR LOCAL FESTIVALS
1. Each of the registered Music Festivals in Nova Scotia is
eligible to send one (1) entry to each of the 8 Senior classes and each
of the 8 Junior classes in the Provincial Festival, providing each has
been recommended by the respective adjudicator. Alternates may be
recommended at the discretion of the adjudicator should a satisfactory
standard be obtained.
2. Adjudicator recommendation forms with fees from the Local
Festivals must be received by the Provincial Festival Registrar one
month from the conclusion of the local festival or by May 16, whichever
comes first.
3. Secretaries of local Festivals will be advised regarding time
and place of the provincial level of competition in their respective
areas.
Va - ADDED PERFORMANCE REGULATIONS - SENIOR
1. For the purpose of the Provincial Festival, Classes 2, 3, 5,
6, a Concerto or Concerted Work is defined as any composition
originally written for solo instrument with orchestral accompaniment.
2. Own Choice selection is defined as “a single movement
composition or one or more movements of a multimovement composition".
Song cycles are an example of a multi-movement work.
3. In Senior Class 1, contestants proceeding to the Provincial
Level of competition must include selection(s) on which they were
recommended by the adjudicator at the local level. The recommended
selections must include an operatic aria or a sacred aria from the
standard repertoire.
4. In Senior Classes 2, 3, 5, 6, contestants proceeding to the
Provincial Level of competition must perform at least two (2)
consecutive movements of the selection on which they were recommended
by the adjudicator at the local level.
5. Contestants are advised to reflect a variety of styles and
periods in their choice of repertoire.
6. Contestants are encouraged to use Canadian compositions in
their performances.
CLASS 1 - VOCAL SOLO (SENIOR), Any
Voice
Local Festival
Contestants must
be recommended from a Senior Opera, with recitative where applicable,
Senior Sacred Aria (aria from a major sacred work), with recitative
where applicable, or Provincial Class, as provided for in the Local
Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
- maximum time limit of 40 minutes
- 2 or more languages to be used
- three selections consisting of:
1. One selection from an Opera, with
recitative where applicable, original key, language optional
2. One Aria from a major sacred work, with recitative where
applicable, original key, language optional
3. One Own Choice selection
CLASS 2 - PIANOFORTE SOLO (SENIOR)
Local Festival
Contestants must
be recommended from a Senior Sonata, Concerto, Concerted Work or
Provincial Class, as provided for in the Local
Festival Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
- maximum time limit of 40 minutes
- two selections consisting of:
1. At least two consecutive movements
of a Senior Sonata or Concerto, or a complete Concerted Work
2. One Own Choice selection (but not another movement from the above)
CLASS 3 - STRING SOLO (SENIOR)
Contestants
are requested to state which instrument they will play.
Local Festival
Contestants must
be recommended from a Senior Concerto, Concerted Work or Provincial
Class, as provided for in the Local Festival Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
- maximum time
limit of 40 minutes
- two selections consisting of:
1. At least two consecutive movements
of a Senior Concerto, or a complete Concerted Work
2. One Own Choice selection (but not another movement of the above)
CLASS 4 - CLASSICAL GUITAR (SENIOR)
Only
solo, unaccompanied work is permitted.
Local Festival
Contestants must
be recommended from a Senior, advanced work or Provincial Class, as
provided for in the Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
- maximum time limit of 40
minutes
- two selections consisting of:
1. At least two movements of a
senior, advanced multi-movement work.
2. One Own Choice selection (but not another movement of the above
work)
CLASS 5 - WOODWIND SOLO (SENIOR)
Contestants
are requested to state which instrument they will play.
Local Festival
Contestants must
be recommended from a Senior Concerto, Concerted Work or Provincial
Class, as provided for in the Local Festival
Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
- maximum time limit of 40
minutes
- two selections consisting of:
1. At least two consecutive movements
of a Senior Concerto, or a complete Concerted Work
2. One Own Choice selection (but not another movement of the above)
CLASS 6 - BRASS SOLO (SENIOR)
Contestants are requested to state
which instrument they will play.
Local Festival
Contestants must be recommended
from a Senior Concerto, Concerted Work or Provincial Class, as
provided for in the Local Festival Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
- maximum time limit of 40
minutes
- two selections consisting of:
1. At least two consecutive movements
of a Senior Concerto, or a complete Concerted Work
2. One Own Choice selection (but not another movement of the above)
CLASS 7 - CHAMBER GROUP (SENIOR)
Contestants are requested to state their voice category or instrument.
A combination of
any recognized orchestral instruments including harp, guitar, recorder
and/or percussion with or without piano and/or one voice, with a
minimum of 3 to a maximum of 6 performers, one performer to a part.
When piano is included, the piano part must be original and not an
orchestral reduction. Amplification may be used only as indicated
in the original score (not electronic instruments, only
amplification) A percussion ensemble must meet chamber group
definition assuming they play required repertoire and must understand
that all equipment, except piano, is the responsibility of the
performer.
Local Festival
Contestants must be recommended from a Senior or
Provincial Class, as provided for in the Local
Festival Syllabus. No conductor
Provincial Festival
- maximum time limit of 40 minutes
including set-up, tuning, pauses and striking (removal of equipment)
- two selections consisting of:
1. At least two consecutive movements
of own choice selection performed at Local level
2. One Own Choice selection (but not another movement of the above)
CLASS 16 -
SENIOR MUSICAL THEATRE
Repertoire for
this class is restricted to music from stage productions only.
Music from movies or television productions is not
permitted and will result in disqualification. Interpretation
must be of the character originally written by the dramatist.
Local Festival
Contestants must be recommended
from Musical Theatre Classes or Provincial Musical Theatre Class in the
Local Festival Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
ACCOMPANIMENT- For the sake of
logistics, accompaniment shall be restricted to one piano, which will
be provided at the venue.
PROPS - Props must be set up on the stage within three minutes. Abuse
of this time limit will result in disqualification. On stage props
should be inanimate. The piano must be respected as an instrument
and not used as a prop; similarly, the pianist is an accompanist and
not a stage character.
TIME LIMIT - Actual performance time of the piece should not exceed
seven minutes.
Vb - ADDED PERFORMANCE REGULATIONS - JUNIORS
1. Each contestant will perform live two contrasting Own Choice
selections, which will be the qualifying selections performed at the
local Music Festival and recommended by the Adjudicator.
2. The maximum time is 20 minutes, except vocal, which is 15
minutes.
CLASS 101 - JUNIOR VOCAL SOLO, Any voice
Local Festival
Contestants must be recommended from
classes of a minimum grade 7 conservatory level or Provincial Class in
the Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
-maximum time limit of 15 minutes
-recommended but not compulsory that one foreign language be used
-two contrasting selections of a high standard of music.
CLASS 102 - JUNIOR PIANO SOLO
Local Festival
Contestants must be recommended from
classes of a minimum grade 8 conservatory level or Provincial Class in
the Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
-maximum time limit of 20 minutes
-two contrasting selections of a high standard of music.
CLASS 103 - JUNIOR STRING SOLO
Contestants are requested to state
which instrument they play.
Local Festival
Contestants must be recommended from
classes of a minimum grade 8 conservatory level or Provincial Class in
the Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
-maximum time limit of 20 minutes
-two contrasting selections of a high standard of music.
CLASS 104 - JUNIOR CLASSICAL GUITAR
Only a solo, unaccompanied work is
permitted.
Local Festival
Contestants must be recommended from
classes of a minimum grade 8 conservatory level or Provincial Class in
the Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
-maximum time limit of 20 minutes
-two contrasting selections of a high standard of music
CLASS 105 - JUNIOR WOODWIND SOLO
Contestants are requested to state
which instrument they play.
Local Festival
Contestants must be recommended from
classes of a minimum grade 8 conservatory level or Provincial Class in
the Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
-maximum time limit of 20 minutes
-two contrasting selections of a high standard of music.
CLASS 106 - JUNIOR BRASS SOLO
Contestants are requested to state
which instrument they play.
Local Festival
Contestants must be recommended from
classes of a minimum grade 8 conservatory level or Provincial Class in
the Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
-maximum time limit of 20 minutes
-two contrasting selections of a high standard of music.
CLASS 107 - JUNIOR CHAMBER GROUP
Contestants are requested to state
their voice category or which instruments they play.
A combination of any recognized orchestral instruments including harp,
guitar, recorder and/or percussion with or without piano and/or one
voice, with a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 6 performers, one performer
to a part. When piano is included, the piano part must be original and
not an orchestral reduction. No conductor.
Local Festival
Contestants must be recommended from
classes of a minimum grade 4 ensemble literature or Provincial Class in
the Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
-maximum time limit of 20 minutes
-two contrasting selections of a high standard of music
CLASS
116 - JUNIOR MUSICAL THEATRE
Repertoire for this class may be any
music from stage productions or movie musicals.
Local Festival
Contestants must be recommended from
Musical Theatre Classes or Provincial Musical Theatre Class in the
Syllabus.
Provincial Festival
ACCOMPANIMENT - For the sake of
logistics, accompaniment shall be kept to one piano, which will be
provided at the venue.
PROPS - Props must be set up on the
stage within three minutes. Abuse of this time limit will result in
disqualification. On stage props should be inanimate. The piano
and pianist are not to be used as props.
TIME LIMIT - Actual performance time of
the piece should not exceed seven minutes.
(From National Regulations - Fall 2006)
Note:
Choirs submitting tapes or CD’s to the Provincial Level of competition
must perform the same selections on which they were recommended by the
adjudicator at the local level.
1. Participation is limited to amateur Canadian choirs, performing in
the appropriate class(es)at affiliated festivals.
2. A festival official must supervise and witness the recording of the
performance of choirs recommended for Provincial/National competitions.
Taping guidelines are available from the Provincial Festival Office or
the Executive Director, Federation of Canadian Music Festivals.
3. If a tape or CD is submitted for adjudication at the Provincial
Festival, the same one must be submitted to the National Festival.
Conversely, a live performance at the Provincial level shall be
recorded and that tape or CD submitted to the National level.
4. The performance should be recorded on a high quality cassette tape
or CD. No acoustic or electronic compensation, filtering, or other
enhancement is to be used while recording.
5. Tapes, CD’s and music should contain no reference to the name of the
choir, its conductor or the festival from which they have been sent.
6. It is preferable to have the recording done during the actual
performance but should this not be feasible, it must be done within
three weeks with the same choir, conductor, accompanist, and
accompaniment as in the original performance. The recording shall be
its first take.
7. A complete original music score for each selection, containing
choral parts and accompaniment, is required for the adjudicators.
Failure to do so will lead to
disqualification. As an aid to the adjudicators, the fi rst bar of each
line in the score must be numbered and the performance key shall be
indicated on the score.
8. All copyrights regarding music must be observed. Manual copies or
photocopies of copyright music will not be accepted.
9. An entry fee of $100.00 per choir is required at the National Level.
The competition will be
conducted at three progressive levels:
Local Festival
Adjudicators at the local festival may
choose, in each of the eight Choral categories, one choir that is felt
to be of National standard. The written recommendation along with the
recording of the performance and original music shall be sent to the
Provincial Secretary if there is not a live choral festival at the
provincial level.
Provincial Festival
Adjudicators at the provincial festival
may choose, in each category submitted, one choir that is felt to be of
National standard. The written recommendation along with the recording
of the performance and original music shall be sent to the Executive
Director of the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals within two weeks
of the close of the provincial festival and not later than July 1st.
National Festival
Tapes and CD’s from all the provinces
shall be heard by two appointed adjudicators and the winners of the
eight Choral competitions will be notified by telephone.
CHORAL
CLASSES
CLASS 8 – HONOURABLE BARBARA A.
HAGERMAN
The Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman
Plaque and Award shall be given for the best performance by a community
choral group of 13 or more singers, the majority of whom are 19 years
and over. Competition is based on the total performance of two
contrasting selections, one of which must be sung in three or more
parts. Only one of the selections may be a folk song. Brief solo
passages are allowed.
CLASS 9 - CITY OF LINCOLN
The City of Lincoln Plaque and Award
shall be given for the best performance by a community choral group of
13 or more male singers. Competition is based on the total performance
of two contrasting selections, one of which must be sung in three or
more parts. Only one of the two selections may be a folksong. Brief
solo passages are allowed.
CLASS 10 - GEORGE S. MATHIESON
The George S. Mathieson Plaque and
Award shall be given for the best performance by a community choral
group of 13 or more singers, aged 19 years and under as of December 31
prior to the National Festival. Five percent (5%) of the choir
membership may exceed the specified age limit by no more than two (2)
years. Competition is based on the total performance of two contrasting
selections, one of which must be sung in three or more parts. Only one
of the two selections may be a folksong. Brief solo passages are
allowed.
CLASS 11 – PAUL J. BOURRET
The Paul J. Bourret Plaque and Award
shall be given for the best performance by a choral group, from a
single school of 13 or more singers, aged 19 and under. Competition is
based on the total performance of two contrasting selections, one of
which must be sung in three or more parts. Only one of the two
selections may be a folksong. Brief solo passages are allowed.
CLASS 12 - RICHARD W. COOKE
The Richard W. Cooke Plaque and Award
shall be given for the best performance by a community ensemble of 8 to
12 singers with no age limitations. Competition is based on the total
performance of two contrasting selections, one of which must be sung in
three or more parts and one of which must be a madrigal. Brief solo
passages are allowed. Contemporary madrigals will be accepted.
CLASS 13 - DR & MRS. J.F.K. ENGLISH
The Dr. & Mrs. J.F.K. English
Plaque and Award shall be given for the best performance by a community
choral group of 13 or more singers, aged 16 years and under as of
December 31 prior to the National Festival. Five percent (5%) of the
choir membership may exceed the specified age limit by no more than two
(2) years. Competition is based on the total performance of two
contrasting selections, one of which must be sung in two or more parts.
Only one of the two selections may be a folksong. Brief solo passages
are allowed
CLASS 14 – DAVID OUCHTERLONY
The David Ouchterlony Plaque and Award
shall be given for the best performance by a choral group, from a
single school of 13 or more singers, aged 16 and under as of December
31 prior to the National Festival. Five percent (5%) of the choir
membership may exceed the specifi ed age limit by no more than two (2)
years. Competition is based on the total performance of two contrasting
selections, one of which must be sung in three or more parts. Only one
of the two selections may be a folksong. Brief solo passages are
allowed.
CLASS 15 - MARGARET WHARTON MEMORIAL
The Margaret Wharton Memorial Plaque
and Award shall be given for the best performance by a community or
school choral group of 13 or more singers, aged 12 years and under as
of December 31 prior to the National Festival. Five percent (5%) of the
choir membership may exceed the specified age limit by no more than two
(2) years. Competition is based on the total performance of two
contrasting selections, one of which must be sung in two or more parts.
Only one of the two selections may be a folksong. Brief solo passages
are allowed.