2025 Syllabus - Fiddle

Recognized fiddle styles include but are not limited to: Country, Old Time, Cape Breton, Swing, Métis, Bluegrass, French Canadian etc.

Fiddle classes require progress from one style of piece to another without pause.

Piece Selections
a) The selection must have been performed at the Local Festival and received a minimum mark of 85 and the recommendation of the local Adjudicator.
b) Pieces must represent Canadian fiddling styles and place emphasis on traditional fiddling elements. Recognized fiddle styles include but are not limited to: Bluegrass, Cape Breton, Country, French Canadian, Métis, Old Time, Swing etc.
c) Contrasting tunes can be played in one style (e.g. contrasting Old-Time tunes) or in any number of variety of styles (e.g. Bluegrass, Cape Breton jig, Old-Time Waltz).
d) Fiddle classes require progress from one style of piece to another without pause.
e) Classical, jazz, blues, trick fiddling, show tunes and other non-traditional fiddle styles are not permitted. ('Double shuffle' is acceptable if it is a traditional part of the song).
f) Competitors may incorporate improvisation, as long as the original meter and core structure of the piece are preserved. Adjudicators will assess the effectiveness of the improvisation, paying special attention to its adherence to traditional fiddling and Canadian fiddle styles.
g) An accompanist may choose to chord only.
h) Adjudicators will consider the following criteria: intonation, technical proficiency, overall accuracy, danceability, expression and emotion, and the variety of tunes, whether from one specific fiddle style or a variety of styles.

General Rules
i) Memorization is required.
j) Competitors will need to provide a transcription of the melody line (could be from a big book or handwritten) and must indicate the title and the composer.
k) Competitors must be an amateur which shall be defined as any person whose principle means of livelihood is not obtained from the performance or teaching of music in the particular category in which they are competing, even though, from time to time, they may receive remuneration on an occasional basis (not full-time). Please click here for the full definition of Amateur vs Professional: omfa.ca/glossary
l) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (omfa.ca/virtual-festival/rules-regulations) must be strictly adhered to.

Video Submissions
a) Videos must be submitted by your Local Festival's entry deadline date for Provincials.
b) One original score or purchased digital music with attached receipt showing title and price (not a cover page, pro credit or subscription to a sharing website) or a transcription of the melody line (could be from a big book or handwritten, indicating the title and composer) must be shown on camera prior to the beginning of the performance.
c) Competitors must show on camera prior to the performance one of the following:
• original score of the music or
• book (show cover and open to first page) or
• purchased digital music with attached receipt showing title and fee paid for each selection.

Not allowed:
• cover page
• Pro credit (Musicnotes)
• subscription to a sharing website eg. Scribd, Everand, Musescore)
• Teacher's names on scores, books or digital music must be covered to avoid disqualification.

d) Only YouTube videos will be permitted (i.e. google drives, Vimeo, mp3's, mp4's, Dropbox etc. are not permitted). Each performance requires a separate YouTube link. Performance videos should not be combined.
e) Videos must have "YouTube kid" settings turned off. You may choose to have your video "unlisted" but "private" videos are not permitted. Please also ensure that the video is allowed to be embedded in other programs.
f) The video must clearly show your face, your instrument and hands. A stationary camera position must be used throughout.
g) No mixing or sound enhancement is allowed through any kind of soundboard, including a recording studio or computer. No reverb can be added to the recording. The recording must be honest and acoustic – as if the adjudicators were in the room listening to you perform live. You must perform live on the video. No audio dubbing over your video is allowed.
h) The video should be in the spirit of a recital or an audition and therefore you should dress appropriately.
i) You are required to introduce yourself and your selections in the video, either verbally or with a title card at the beginning of the video and must be limited to the following:
• Your Name
• The Grade/Level you have entered (Beginner or Primary etc.)
• The Composer and Complete Title of your selection
j) Do not announce your teacher's name, where you are from or at which local festival you performed. Do not use your teacher's YouTube channel to submit your videos.
k) All competitors must submit a complete video performance of their selection by your festival's entry deadlin