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.