Rules & Regulations

1. The Festival Proceedings shall be under the management of the Pickering GTA Music Festival Executive Committee.

2. All matters not dealt with in these Rules and Regulations shall be referred to the committee, whose decisions shall be final and binding upon all concerned. We reserve the right to change rules without notice as necessary.

3. No age limit will be imposed except where indicated (See rule 20). Age is as of December 31. In Pre-Grade 1 classes, only those under 10 may enter.

4. All Competitions shall be open to Non-Professionals only, unless otherwise stated.

   All competitors must be amateurs.

   An amateur shall be defined as:

   · a music student, performer, or any person who does not earn significant income (see below) from performance or teaching in the discipline in which they are participating

   A professional shall be defined as:

   · an individual performing in a professional show and/or earning significant income (over $5000.00 for adults and over $1000 for children up to 18 years) from performing or teaching music privately or in the school system.

   · Individuals who are full or junior members of either ACTRA or EQUITY or are collecting credits to becoming an Equity member.

   · Children up to 18 years who perform in a professional show and are not paid, receive valuable professional experience, and are therefore considered professional for the calendar year in which they are cast.
   a. The calendar year is defined as September 1st – August 31st.
   b. If the individual is enrolled as a full member of either ACTRA or EQUITY, has performed in a professional show and/or received professional income (over $5000.00 for adults and over $1000 for children up to 18 years), they are then considered professional and are therefore ineligible to participate in the OMFA Provincial Finals for that same year (eg. if the individual was recommended in February, but then joined ACTRA or EQUITY (eg. April).
   c. If the individual has received professional income after they were recommended to the OMFA Provincial Finals, they would be ineligible to participate and their entry fee would be refunded, if applicable.
   d. An exception would be made for an individual participating in another discipline that is different from the reason for their ACTRA or EQUITY membership (eg. an individual performing in a professional musical that has been recommended for classical piano would be allowed).
   e. Disciplines that cannot be entered when performing in a professional musical include Musical Theatre, Speech Arts, Songs from the Screen and More and Popular Voice.

5. Competitors studying with the Adjudicator during the Festival year will not be eligible.

6. Except for woodwinds and brass classes, all competitive and graded pieces, except studies and string sonatas, must be performed from memory. All graded pieces must be chosen from the current Royal Conservatory of Music or Canada Conservatory of Music Syllabi. Suzuki repertoire will be accepted if performed in Suzuki classes or if listed in either Conservatory Syllabus. Ensembles, duets and trios are exempt from memorization.

7. All contestants must perform their pieces as stated on their entry form.

8. For festival purposes, repeats are optional. Da Capos and Del Segnos should be observed.Please make sure your timings reflect your choices.

9. In 2025, we will not require you to submit music for the adjudicator for the virtual classes but do expect that you will be able to supply an original edition if we require it. Live classes will supply music for the adjudicator.

10. A piece may not be used in more than one class.

11. All entries must be received by December 15, 2024 and accompanied by the fee as stated for each class. No receipts will be issued, and entry fees cannot be refunded for any reason. E-transfers will be acceptable and the application will not be processed until it is received.

12. Please note: Contestants should enter graded classes at their current level of study as of December 31. In classes separated by age it it the age you are by December 31, 2024.

13. Contestants may enter any number of classes subject to the regulations as listed herein.

14. We reserve the right to refuse any entry.

15. Parents, teachers and performers are not permitted to approach or converse with the adjudicator in advance or during the festival time. This rule is intended to make the competitions fair for all and avoid disqualifications. Decisions of the Adjudicators will be final. Questions may be addressed to the Festival Executive only in writing.

16. Please advise the festival office of any change in email address or telephone number once your application has been submitted. Please make sure both your's and your teacher's emails are on your application form.

17. Please note all rules for submitting your video and application. These must happen at the same time to avoid confusion.

18. Open classes are the most senior level of competition and it is expected that the competitor will be studying at or has achieved the ARCT level or above. Diploma classes are for those competitors working at the ARCT level but have not yet taken their exam. If you have been at the Diploma level for more than 2 years you must enter the Open Classes.

19. In Duet classes, the ages will be determined by the eldest person to be at the proper level. Please check the rules at www.omfa.ca.