Syllabus - Voice - Classical
WHAT'S NEW FOR 2027
- For housekeeping purposes, popular voice is treated as a distinct discipline.
- Novice and set piece classes are being regrouped into categories sorted by age (8 and under, 9-10, and so on). Class numbers will be revised as a result.
- Offerings for performers aged 8 and under, 10 and under, and 12 and under have been expanded slightly.
- Adult classes have been split into categories for adults with lesser or greater degrees of technical proficiency. Classes for adult performers newer to voice training and performance will be tagged as "beginner".
- The Festival has added virtual classical voice classes.
HOUSEKEEPING
Adjudication Classical voice classes are customarily divided among two adjudicators: junior and senior.
- The junior adjudicator, by convention, oversees classes for performers aged 16 and under.
- The senior adjudicator, by convention, oversees Open classes as well as classes for performers aged 17 through 20. The senior adjudicator has customarily overseen all adult classes, though classes for beginner adults may be overseen by the junior adjudicator as required by scheduling constraints.
DEFINITIONS
Vocal Ranges For the purpose of the Festival, performer vocal ranges are grouped into the categories listed below. Performers may enter classes that best fit either their own gender (whether corresponding to their assigned gender at birth or not) or their vocal range, at their discretion.
- Girls treble;
- Boys treble;
- High voice - soprano, mezzo, alto;
- Low voice - counter-tenor, tenor, baritone, bass.
Voice Duet, Trio, or Ensemble A voice duet, trio, or ensemble is any duet, trio, or ensemble consisting entirely of vocalists. If the duet, trio, or ensemble is accompanied, the accompaniment part may be played by an amateur or professional performer. Members of a vocal ensemble may be of any voice range.
RULES & REGULATIONS
Adjudication Classes in this discipline are adjudicated competitively except where otherwise specified.
Vocal Range and Instrumentation Unless a class specifies either kind of treble voice, high voice, or low voice, a performer of any vocal range may enter that class. If a class specifies voice duet or trio or voice ensemble, the ensemble entering such a class must satisfy the definitions of voice duets, trios, or ensembles.
Repertoire Each class specifies the quantity of repertoire selections required for that class in its description. If a class permits performance of more than one selection, multiple selections must be contrasting - distinct from one another in style, mood, tempo, and so on. Selections may be accompanied or unaccompanied. When in doubt, the adjudicator determines the suitability of a repertoire selection for its class.
Classical Repertoire Selections in classical categories must be art music or "classical" repertoire. Selections from films or video games written in "classical" genres or idioms are also permitted. They may be the performer's own choice, including (but not limited to) Conservatory selections drawn from an RCM or CC repertoire list. Selections must match any historical characteristic, stylistic characteristic, or other restriction specified in a class name, if there are any. Selections must be suited to the technical proficiency of the performer or performers.
Language A Set Piece selection must be performed in its own language. Unless otherwise specified, any other selection may be performed either in its original language or in a language available in any standard published edition of the selection.
Multi-Movement Works When performing two or more movements from a multi-movement work, you combine such movements into a single selection, and may not perform them as distinct selections. These movements must be contrasting where possible. When performing multiple movements from a multi-movement work in a class, you may combine two or more movements from the work together according to the rules specific to the class's category.
Solo Classical Voice Age 8 and Under
Eligibility Performers entering a class in this category must satisfy the maximum age requirement of that class. A performer entering at least one competitive class in this age cohort may enter up to one competitive class in any higher age cohort, including Open classes but excluding adult classes.
Multi-Movement Works When performing a multi-movement work, you may combine up to 2 movements from such a work together into a single selection, as long as the total performance time does not exceed 5 minutes. You may not split movements from the same work into multiple selections in a single class.
| Class | Earlybird | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:VC101 - Novice Voice Age 8 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Adjudication This class is adjudicated as participation only. Repertoire may be chosen from any "classical" style or historical period, including folk songs. Opera and oratorio selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$35.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC102 - Girls Treble Voice Set Piece Age 8 and Under Set Piece Sing a Rainbow, Arthur Hamilton [RCM Voice Series 2025, Level 1, pg. 44]. Adjudication This class is adjudicated non-competitively. | Earlybird:$35.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC103 - Boys Treble Voice Set Piece Age 8 and Under Set Piece Turtle Vacations, Donna Rhodenizer [RCM Vocal Series 2025, Preparatory, pg. 36]. Adjudication This class is adjudicated non-competitively. | Earlybird:$35.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC104 - Any Voice Classical Repertoire Age 8 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Repertoire may be chosen from any "classical" style or historical period. Folk song, opera, and oratorio selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$35.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC105 - Any Voice Folk Song Age 8 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from traditional folk music, excluding contemporary "pop" folk (such as, for instance, Pete Seeger or Stan Rogers). Accompaniment Traditional or historically-appropriate accompaniment is encouraged. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC106 - Any Voice Non-Competitive Age 8 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minute. Adjudication This class is adjudicated non-competitively. Repertoire may be chosen from any "classical" style or historical period. Opera and oratorio selections are not permitted. Up to one selection may be a traditional folk song as defined in the folk song class. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
Solo Classical Voice Age 10 and Under
Eligibility Performers entering a class in this category must satisfy the maximum age requirement of that class. A performer entering at least one competitive class in this age cohort may enter up to one competitive class in any higher age cohort, including Open classes but excluding adult classes.
Multi-Movement Works When performing a multi-movement work, you may combine up to 2 movements from such a work together into a single selection, as long as the total performance time does not exceed 5 minutes. You may not split movements from the same work into multiple selections in a single class.
| Class | Earlybird | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:VC107 - Novice Voice Age 10 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Adjudication This class is adjudicated as participation only. Repertoire may be chosen from any "classical" style or historical period, including folk songs. Opera and oratorio selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC108 - Girls Treble Voice Set Piece Age 10 and Under Repertoire Silver Moon, Lin Marsh [RCM Vocal Series 2025, Level 2, pg. 32]. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC109 - Boys Treble Voice Set Piece Age 10 and Under Repertoire A Robin's Tale, Donna Rhodenizer and Andy Duinker [RCM Vocal Series 2025, Level 2, pg. 38]. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC110 - Any Voice Canadian and First Nations Age 10 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Folk song is not permitted in this class. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC111 - Any Voice Classical Repertoire Age 10 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Repertoire may be chosen from any "classical" style or historical period. Folk song, opera, and oratorio selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC112 - Any Voice Folk Song Age 10 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from standard or conventional folk music, excluding contemporary "pop" folk (such as, for instance, Pete Seeger or Stan Rogers). Accompaniment Traditional or historically-appropriate accompaniment is encouraged. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC113 - Any Voice Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ Age 10 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Folk song is not permitted in this class. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC114 - Any Voice Non-Competitive Age 10 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Adjudication This class is adjudicated non-competitively. Repertoire may be chosen from any "classical" style or historical period. Opera and oratorio selections are not permitted. Up to one selection may be a traditional folk song as defined in the folk song class. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC115 - Any Voice Sight Reading Age 10 and Under Repertoire Selection is provided by the Festival at the time of the participant's scheduled performance. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC116 - Any Voice Quick Study Age 10 and Under Repertoire Selection is provided by the Festival two (2) business days before the participant's scheduled performance. | Earlybird:$40.00 | Closed |
Solo Classical Voice Age 12 and Under
Eligibility Performers entering a class in this category must satisfy the maximum age requirement of that class. A performer entering at least one competitive class in this age cohort may enter up to one competitive class in any higher age cohort, including Open classes but excluding adult classes.
Multi-Movement Works When performing a multi-movement work, you may combine up to 2 movements from such a work together into a single selection, as long as the total performance time does not exceed 5 minutes. You may not split movements from the same work into multiple selections in a single class.
| Class | Earlybird | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:VC117 - Novice Voice Age 12 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Adjudication This class is adjudicated as participation only. Repertoire may be chosen from any "classical" style or historical period, including folk songs. Opera and oratorio selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC118 - Girls Treble Voice Set Piece Age 12 and Under Set Piece The Moon, Stella Ter Hart [RCM Vocal Series 2025, Level 4, pg. 37]. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC119 - Boys Treble Voice Set Piece Age 12 and Under Set Piece My Cedar Canoe, Martha Hill Duncan [RCM Voice Series 2025, Level 3, pg. 48]. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC120 - Any Voice Canadian and First Nations Age 12 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Folk song is not permitted in this class. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC121 - Any Voice Classical Repertoire Age 12 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Repertoire may be chosen from any "classical" style or historical period. Folk song, opera, and oratorio selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC122 - Any Voice Folk Song Age 12 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from standard or conventional folk music, excluding contemporary "pop" folk (such as, for instance, Pete Seeger or Stan Rogers). Accompaniment Traditional or historically-appropriate accompaniment is encouraged. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC123 - Any Voice Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ Age 12 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Folk song is not permitted in this class. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC124 - Any Voice Non-Competitive Age 12 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minute. Adjudication This class is adjudicated non-competitively. Repertoire may be chosen from any "classical" style or historical period. Opera and oratorio selections are not permitted. Up to one selection may be a traditional folk song as defined in the folk song class. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC125 - Any Voice Sight Reading Age 12 and Under Repertoire Selection is provided by the Festival at the time of the participant's scheduled performance. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC126 - Any Voice Quick Study Age 12 and Under Repertoire Selection is provided by the Festival two (2) business days before the participant's scheduled performance. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
Solo Classical Voice Age 14 and Under
Eligibility Performers entering a class in this category must satisfy the maximum age requirement of that class. A performer entering at least one competitive class in this age cohort may enter up to one competitive class in any higher age cohort, including Open classes but excluding adult classes.
Multi-Movement Works When performing a multi-movement work, you may combine up to 2 movements from such a work together into a single selection, as long as the total performance time does not exceed 5 minutes. You may not split movements from the same work into multiple selections in a single class.
| Class | Earlybird | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:VC127 - Novice Voice Age 14 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minute. Adjudication This class is adjudicated as participation only. Repertoire may be chosen from any "classical" style or historical period, including folk songs. Opera and oratorio selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC128 - High Voice Set Piece Age 14 and Under Repertoire The Genius, Robert Fleming [RCM Voice Series 2025, Level 6, pg. 46]. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC129 - Boys Treble Voice Set Piece Age 14 and Under Repertoire The Tiger, Sherri Porterfield [RCM Voice Series 2025, Level 5, pg. 52]. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC130 - Low Voice Set Piece Age 14 and Under Repertoire A selection in this class must be drawn from standard art song repertoire. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC131 - High Voice Art Song Age 14 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 12 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from the standard or conventional art song repertoire. Multiple selections must all be drawn from the same historical or stylistic period. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC132 - Boys Treble and Low Voice Art Song Age 14 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from the standard or conventional art song repertoire. Multiple selections must all be drawn from the same historical or stylistic period. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC133 - Any Voice Canadian and First Nations Age 14 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Folk song is not permitted in this class. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC134 - Any Voice Early Music Age 14 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. A selection in this class must have been composed before 1800, and may be of any genre excluding folk song or operetta. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC135 - Any Voice Folk Song Age 14 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from standard or conventional folk music, excluding contemporary "pop" folk (such as, for instance, Pete Seeger or Stan Rogers). Accompaniment Traditional or historically-appropriate accompaniment is encouraged. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC136 - High Voice Sacred Music Age 14 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Additional Rules A selection in this class must be drawn from the standard or conventional “classical” sacred song repertoire, excluding sacred arias. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC137 - Boys Treble and Low Voice Sacred Music Age 14 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Additional Rules A selection in this class must be drawn from the standard or conventional “classical” sacred song repertoire, excluding sacred arias. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC138 - Any Voice Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ Age 14 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC139 - High Voice Concert Recital Age 14 and Under Repertoire Three selections; Time Limit 15 minutes. Additional Rules Selections in this class must be drawn from two or more historical or stylistic periods. Folk song, operetta, opera, or sacred aria selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC140 - Boys Treble and Low Voice Concert Recital Age 14 and Under Repertoire Three selections; Time Limit 15 minutes. Additional Rules Selections in this class must be drawn from two or more historical or stylistic periods. Folk song, operetta, opera, or sacred aria selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC141 - Any Voice Operetta Age 14 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. Additional Rules A selection in this class must be drawn from an operetta, including works by Gilbert & Sullivan or French opéra comique. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC142 - Any Voice Non-Competitive Age 14 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes; Adjudication This class is adjudicated non-competitively. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC143 - Any Voice Sight Reading Age 14 and Under Repertoire Selection is provided by the Festival at the time of the participant's scheduled performance. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC144 - Any Voice Quick Study Age 14 and Under Repertoire Selection is provided by the Festival two (2) business days before the participant's scheduled performance. | Earlybird:$45.00 | Closed |
Solo Classical Voice Age 16 and Under
Eligibility Performers entering a class in this category must satisfy the maximum age requirement of that class. A performer entering at least one competitive class in this age cohort may enter up to one competitive class in any higher age cohort, including Open classes but excluding adult classes.
Multi-Movement Works When performing a multi-movement work, you may combine up to 2 movements from such a work together into a single selection, as long as the total performance time does not exceed 5 minutes. You may not split movements from the same work into multiple selections in a single class.
| Class | Earlybird | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:VC145 - Novice Voice Age 16 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 12 minutes. Adjudication This class is adjudicated as participation only. Repertoire may be chosen from any "classical" style or historical period, including folk songs. Opera and oratorio selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC146 - High Voice Set Piece Age 16 and Under Repertoire Falls the Snow, Walter MacNutt ["Two Songs", H. E. Foster & Walter MacNutt, Frederick Harris #2407]. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC147 - Boys Treble Voice Set Piece Age 16 and Under A selection in this class must be drawn from standard art song repertoire, and must be of equivalent or greater difficulty than than Conservatory level 7 repertoire. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC148 - Low Voice Set Piece Age 16 and Under A selection in this class must be drawn from standard art song repertoire, and must be of equivalent or greater difficulty than than Conservatory level 7 repertoire. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC149 - High Voice Art Song Age 16 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 12 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from the standard or conventional art song repertoire. Multiple selections must all be drawn from the same historical or stylistic period. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC150 - Boys Treble and Low Voice Art Song Age 16 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 12 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from the standard or conventional art song repertoire. Multiple selections must all be drawn from the same historical or stylistic period. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC151 - Any Voice Canadian and First Nations Age 16 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 12 minutes. Folk song is not permitted in this class. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC152 - Any Voice Early Music Age 16 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 12 minutes. A selection in this class must have been composed before 1800, and may be of any genre excluding folk song or operetta. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC153 - Any Voice Folk Song Age 16 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 12 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from standard or conventional folk music, excluding contemporary "pop" folk (such as, for instance, Pete Seeger or Stan Rogers). Accompaniment Traditional or historically-appropriate accompaniment is encouraged. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC154 - High Voice Sacred Music Age 16 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 12 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from the standard or conventional “classical” sacred song repertoire, excluding sacred arias. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC155 - Boys Treble and Low Voice Sacred Music Age 16 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 10 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from the standard or conventional “classical” sacred song repertoire, excluding sacred arias. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC156 - Any Voice Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ Age 16 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 12 minutes. Folk song is not permitted in this class. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC157 - High Voice Concert Recital Age 16 and Under Repertoire Three selections; Time Limit 18 minutes. Selections in this class must be drawn from two or more historical or stylistic periods. Folk song, operetta, opera, or sacred aria selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$55.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC158 - Boys Treble and Low Voice Concert Recital Age 16 and Under Repertoire Three selections; Time Limit 18 minutes. Additional Rules Selections in this class must be drawn from two or more historical or stylistic periods. Folk song, operetta, opera, or sacred aria selections are not permitted. | Earlybird:$55.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC159 - Any Voice Operetta Age 16 and Under Repertoire Two selections; Time Limit 12 minutes. A selection in this class must be drawn from an operetta, including works by Gilbert & Sullivan or French opéra comique. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC160 - Any Voice Non-Competitive Age 16 and Under Repertiore Two selections; Time Limit 12 minutes. Adjudication This class is adjudicated non-competitively. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC161 - Any Voice Sight Reading Age 16 and Under Repertoire Selection is provided by the Festival at the time of the participant's scheduled performance. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |
| Class:VC162 - Any Voice Quick Study Age 16 and Under Repertoire Selection is provided by the Festival two (2) business days before the participant's scheduled performance. | Earlybird:$50.00 | Closed |