2024 Syllabus - Popular Guitar & Rock Band

This category is designed to incorporate the following genres: pop, pop/ folk, R & B, soul, rock, alternative, indie, jazz or country. Selections should be covers from commercial artists in these genres. Selections that are NOT permitted:
• Rap and Hip Hop
• Songs listed in any of the RCM or CC classical guitar syllabi

The playing of selections from memory is encouraged

Acoustic and electric guitars are permitted.

This category is intended for instrumental guitar only. Performers who wish to add vocals to their performance should enter the "Popular Voice Self-Accompanied class".

Competitors will be judged on their choice of selections, interpretation, and style.

Popular Guitar Ballad

Own choice. Repertoire must be selected from any ballad that would be considered to be in the popular music idiom, and may include selections which are part of the Popular Selections/Contemporary Idioms section of the current Conservatory syllabus. Competitors may enter this category multiple times with repertoire that has not been previously performed in the Festival, but a separate registration is required for each entry.

ADJUDICATION PLUS categories will include an opportunity for each competitor to return to the stage and work with the adjudicator 1:1 for 10-20 min (level dependent) to receive immediate feedback on incorporating some of the adjudicator's suggestions.

Popular Guitar Up-Tempo

Own choice. Repertoire must be selected from any up-tempo tune that would be considered to be in the popular music idiom, and may include selections which are part of the Popular Selections/Contemporary Idioms section of the current Conservatory syllabus. Competitors may enter this category multiple times with repertoire that has not been previously performed in the Festival, but a separate registration is required for each entry.

ADJUDICATION PLUS categories will include an opportunity for each competitor to return to the stage and work with the adjudicator 1:1 for 10-20 min (level dependent) to receive immediate feedback on incorporating some of the adjudicator's suggestions.

Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues

Own choice. Repertoire must be selected from any Jazz/Blues piece, and may include selections which are part of the Popular Selections/Contemporary Idioms section of the current Conservatory syllabus. Competitors may enter this category multiple times with repertoire that has not been previously performed in the Festival, but a separate registration is required for each entry.

ADJUDICATION PLUS categories will include an opportunity for each competitor to return to the stage and work with the adjudicator 1:1 for 10-20 min (level dependent) to receive immediate feedback on incorporating some of the adjudicator's suggestions.

Popular Guitar Folk

Own choice. Repertoire must be selected from any piece that would be considered folk style, and may include selections which are part of the Popular Selections/Contemporary Idioms section of the current Conservatory syllabus. Competitors may enter this category multiple times with repertoire that has not been previously performed in the Festival, but a separate registration is required for each entry.

ADJUDICATION PLUS categories will include an opportunity for each competitor to return to the stage and work with the adjudicator 1:1 for 10-20 min (level dependent) to receive immediate feedback on incorporating some of the adjudicator's suggestions.

Popular Guitar Canadian Composer

Own choice. Repertoire must be selected from any piece that would be considered to be in the popular music idiom, and composed/performed by a Canadian Artist. It may include selections which are part of the Popular Selections/Contemporary Idioms section of the current Conservatory syllabus (provided they meet the Canadian requirement). Competitors may enter this category multiple times with repertoire that has not been previously performed in the Festival, but a separate registration is required for each entry.

ADJUDICATION PLUS categories will include an opportunity for each competitor to return to the stage and work with the adjudicator 1:1 for 10-20 min (level dependent) to receive immediate feedback on incorporating some of the adjudicator's suggestions.

Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire

Own choice. Repertoire must be selected from any piece that would be considered to be in the popular music idiom, and may include selections which are part of the Popular Selections/Contemporary Idioms section of the current Conservatory syllabus. Competitors may enter this category multiple times with repertoire that has not been previously performed in the Festival, but a separate registration is required for each entry.

ADJUDICATION PLUS categories will include an opportunity for each competitor to return to the stage and work with the adjudicator 1:1 for 10-20 min (level dependent) to receive immediate feedback on incorporating some of the adjudicator's suggestions.

Popular Guitar Songwriter

Compose an original piece for guitar, in what would be considered a 'popular' style. Entrants are required to perform their own compositions. The composition may be handwritten or produced using any music scoring software. Entrants may use a lead sheet or chord chart or written score. If submissions are improvisatory, please provide a sketch or lead sheet for the Adjudicator.

Competitors may enter this category multiple times with repertoire that has not been previously performed in the Festival, but a separate registration is required for each entry.

Participants will be assessed on their creativity, originality, and overall musicality

ADJUDICATION PLUS categories will include an opportunity for each competitor to return to the stage and work with the adjudicator 1:1 for 10-20 min (level dependent) to receive immediate feedback on incorporating some of the adjudicator's suggestions.

Guitar Workshop

NO FORMAL PERFORMANCE REQUIRED. These classes are workshop style where players will come together with the adjudicator to share ideas and learn. Please bring your guitars as participants will be encouraged to try ideas and share works in progress for feedback.

Rock/Garage Band Ballad

Own choice. Repertoire must be selected from any ballad that would be considered to be in the popular music idiom, and may include selections which are part of the Popular Selections/Contemporary Idioms section of the current Conservatory syllabus. Piece may be an original composition by the performers. Performance can be by any collection of rock/garage band instruments, such as piano/keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, drums etc. Competitors may enter this category multiple times with repertoire that has not been previously performed in the Festival, but a separate registration is required for each entry.

ADJUDICATION PLUS categories will include an opportunity for each competitor to return to the stage and work with the adjudicator 1:1 for 10-20 min (level dependent) to receive immediate feedback on incorporating some of the adjudicator's suggestions.

Rock/Garage Band Up-Tempo

Own choice. Repertoire must be selected from any Up-tempo that would be considered to be in the popular music idiom, and may include selections which are part of the Popular Selections/Contemporary Idioms section of the current Conservatory syllabus. Piece may be an original composition by the performers. Performance can be by any collection of rock/garage band instruments, such as piano/keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, drums etc. Competitors may enter this category multiple times with repertoire that has not been previously performed in the Festival, but a separate registration is required for each entry.

ADJUDICATION PLUS categories will include an opportunity for each competitor to return to the stage and work with the adjudicator 1:1 for 10-20 min (level dependent) to receive immediate feedback on incorporating some of the adjudicator's suggestions.