2025 Syllabus - Musical Theatre

All selections in this category must be from STAGED Musical Theatre productions only.
Songs that first appeared in animated films or television shows can only be entered in Songs from the Screen and More.

General Rules
a) The maximum age is 28 years old as of December 31,2024 for all levels except Adult.
b) One original score for each selection or purchased digital music with attached receipt showing title and fee paid (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.
c) Memorization is required.
d) Two (2) simple handheld props (e.g. comb, basket or book); one (1) standard rehearsal theatre box, one table and one chair are allowed. No other props will be permitted.
e) Costumes are allowed but will not be judged.
f) Stage movement is allowed.
g) Dance breaks are not allowed and cannot be added to the selection.
h) All competitors must be an amateur which shall be defined as a music student, performer, or any person who does not earn significant income from performance or teaching in the discipline ($5000/year) 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)
i) No announcement of name or selection is allowed prior to your performance
j) All criteria listed in the OMFA General Rules (omfa.ca/live-festival/rules-and-regulations) must be strictly adhered to.

Song Selections
a) One of the selections must have been performed at the Local Festival, received a minimum mark of 85 and the recommendation of the local Adjudicator. The second selection (Elementary -Senior Levels) is the competitor's choice but must follow the rules of this category.Advanced Level performs four (4) selections.
b) Selections must be musically contrasting.The Adjudicator will take song choice into consideration.
c) Spoken passages are only allowed if published in the score being used and cannot represent more than 10% of the selection.
d) Competitors are allowed to transpose music higher or lower, but the integrity of the composer's intention with respect to the character must be observed.
e) Selections should be age/culturally appropriate and suitable for all audiences. OMFA reserves the right to reject any selections that are deemed inappropriate, either in style or content.
f) Lengthy instrumental sections can be cut for performance.

Accompaniment
a) Accompaniment must be by live acoustic piano only.
b) If you do not have a collaborative pianist (accompanist), the people on this list (click here: omfa.ca/collaborative-pianists-accompanists) have indicated that they are willing to play for the live festival. It is the competitor's responsibility to contact the collaborative pianist directly and negotiate a fee for their service.

NOT PERMITTED
a) Musicals that have only been workshopped, songs from revues, cabarets or songs that are written as stand-alone songs in musical theatre style - this repertoire now belongs in Songs from the Screen and More. Please refer to the SSAM Song List for suggested MT and SSAM repertoire (omfa.ca/live-festival/songs-from-the-screen-and-more-solo)
b) Songs from Movie Musicals or TV Shows.
c) Songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (List A and B from Levels 1-6).
d) Operetta/light opera selections (Gilbert & Sullivan, Romberg, Lehar, Johann Strauss).
e) Selections that are primarily spoken patter,( eg. 'Ya Got Trouble', The Music Man; 'Aaron Burr, Sir',Hamilton).
f) Selections from Junior show versions of musicals that have been cut or simplified
g) Vocal cuts except for repeated choruses
* Songs that first appeared in animated films or television shows can only be entered in Songs from the Screen and More. (i.e. most Disney movies) - please refer to the SSAM Song List: omfa.ca/ssam-chart