2025 Syllabus - Contemporary Piano

Definition
Contemporary music is a musical term that defines a wide range of compositions that adopt ideas and elements from both classical and modern music.

This class is designed for competitors who wish to play contemporary piano pieces that were written after 1960, and do NOT appear in either the current RCM or CC Syllabus.

Piece Selections?
a) Only one selection is required and must have been performed at the Local Festival, received a minimum mark of 85 and the recommendation of the local Adjudicator. The Adjudicator will take piece choice into consideration.

Permitted
Examples of pieces/collections that can be included, but not limited to are:

- Christopher Norton Connection Series (for pieces not in RCM or CC syllabi)
- Canadian Contemporary Repertoire Series
- Northern Lights Repertoire
- Canadian Contemporary Repertoire Series
- American Popular Piano Repertoire
- The Galaxy Series
- Violet Archer
- Boris Berlin
- John Burge
- Christine Donkin
- Anne Crosby Gaudet
- Clifford Poole
- Ann Southam

The list above is only a guideline. If you are uncertain about where a piece should be entered, please contact the office at mail@omfa.ca and we will get back to you quickly with an answer.

Conservatory Canada Contemporary Idioms
(conservatorycanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CI-Piano-Repertoire-List-Complete.pdf) is a great source for contemporary works.

Not Permitted
b) Pop Songs, Covers and pieces are not permitted in this class.
Please note that the majority of selections found in the RCM Popular Piano series are "covers" of popular songs and therefore are not permitted in this section. They must be played in the Popular Piano section. There are exceptions – so care must be taken.

General
c) All selections must be played from memory.
d) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (omfa.ca/virtual-festival/rules-regulations) must be strictly adhered to.
e) Original music for each selection must be presented at the welcome desk for use by the Adjudicator on the day of competition. An original score of the music or purchased digital music with attached receipt showing title and price (not a cover page, Pro credit or subscription to a sharing website, eg. Scribd, Everand, Musescore) for each selection must be presented to the Registration desk for the Adjudicator's use on the day of competition.
f) All competitors must be an amateur which shall be defined as a music student, performer, or any person who does not earn significant income ($5000/year) from performance or teaching in the discipline in which they are participating or, is a member of a professional union. (Please click here for the full definition of Amateur vs Professional:omfa.ca/glossary).
h) No announcement of name or selection is required prior to your performance.