April 2023 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.

ClassPGB-B - Popular Guitar Ballad - Beginner Level: ages 6-8Liveclosed
ClassPGB-B+ - Popular Guitar Ballad - Beginner Level: ages 6-8 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGB-P - Popular Guitar Ballad - Primary Level: ages 9-10Liveclosed
ClassPGB-P+ - Popular Guitar Ballad - Primary Level: ages 9-10 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGB-E - Popular Guitar Ballad - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Liveclosed
ClassPGB-E+ - Popular Guitar Ballad - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGB-J - Popular Guitar Ballad - Junior Level: ages 13-14Liveclosed
ClassPGB-J+ - Popular Guitar Ballad - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGB-I - Popular Guitar Ballad - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Liveclosed
ClassPGB-I+ - Popular Guitar Ballad - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGB-S - Popular Guitar Ballad - Senior Level: ages 17-18Liveclosed
ClassPGB-S+ - Popular Guitar Ballad - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGB-A - Popular Guitar Ballad - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Liveclosed
ClassPGB-A+ - Popular Guitar Ballad - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGB-O - Popular Guitar Ballad - OpenLiveclosed
ClassPGB-O+ - Popular Guitar Ballad - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed

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.

ClassPGU-B - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Beginner Level: ages 6-8Liveclosed
ClassPGU-B+ - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Beginner Level: ages 6-8 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGU-P - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Primary Level: ages 9-10Liveclosed
ClassPGU-P+ - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Primary Level: ages 9-10 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGU-E - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Liveclosed
ClassPGU-E+ - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGU-J - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Junior Level: ages 13-14Liveclosed
ClassPGU-J+ - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGU-I - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Liveclosed
ClassPGU-I+ - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGU-S - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Senior Level: ages 17-18Liveclosed
ClassPGU-S+ - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGU-A - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Liveclosed
ClassPGU-A+ - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGU-O - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - OpenLiveclosed
ClassPGU-O+ - Popular Guitar Up-Tempo - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed

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.

ClassPGJ-B - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Beginner Level: ages 6-8Liveclosed
ClassPGJ-B+ - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Beginner Level: ages 6-8 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGJ-P - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Primary Level: ages 9-10Liveclosed
ClassPGJ-P+ - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Primary Level: ages 9-10 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGJ-E - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Liveclosed
ClassPGJ-E+ - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGJ-J - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Junior Level: ages 13-14Liveclosed
ClassPGJ-J+ - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGJ-I - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Liveclosed
ClassPGJ-I+ - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGJ-S - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Senior Level: ages 17-18Liveclosed
ClassPGJ-S+ - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGJ-A - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Liveclosed
ClassPGJ-A+ - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGJ-O - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - OpenLiveclosed
ClassPGJ-O+ - Popular Guitar Jazz or Blues - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed

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.

ClassPGF-B - Popular Guitar Folk - Beginner Level: ages 6-8Liveclosed
ClassPGF-B+ - Popular Guitar Folk - Beginner Level: ages 6-8 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGF-P - Popular Guitar Folk - Primary Level: ages 9-10Liveclosed
ClassPGF-P+ - Popular Guitar Folk - Primary Level: ages 9-10 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGF-E - Popular Guitar Folk - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Liveclosed
ClassPGF-E+ - Popular Guitar Folk - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGF-J - Popular Guitar Folk - Junior Level: ages 13-14Liveclosed
ClassPGF-J+ - Popular Guitar Folk - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGF-I - Popular Guitar Folk - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Liveclosed
ClassPGF-I+ - Popular Guitar Folk - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGF-S - Popular Guitar Folk - Senior Level: ages 17-18Liveclosed
ClassPGF-S+ - Popular Guitar Folk - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGF-A - Popular Guitar Folk - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Liveclosed
ClassPGF-A+ - Popular Guitar Folk - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGF-O - Popular Guitar Folk - OpenLiveclosed
ClassPGF-O+ - Popular Guitar Folk - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed

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.

ClassPGC-B - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Beginner Level: ages 6-8Liveclosed
ClassPGC-B+ - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Beginner Level: ages 6-8 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGC-P - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Primary Level: ages 9-10Liveclosed
ClassPGC-P+ - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Primary Level: ages 9-10 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGC-E - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Liveclosed
ClassPGC-E+ - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGC-J - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Junior Level: ages 13-14Liveclosed
ClassPGC-J+ - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGC-I - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Liveclosed
ClassPGC-I+ - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGC-S - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Senior Level: ages 17-18Liveclosed
ClassPGC-S+ - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGC-A - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Liveclosed
ClassPGC-A+ - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGC-O - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - OpenLiveclosed
ClassPGC-O+ - Popular Guitar Canadian Composer - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed

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.

ClassPGA-B - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Beginner Level: ages 6-8Liveclosed
ClassPGA-B+ - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Beginner Level: ages 6-8 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGA-P - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Primary Level: ages 9-10Liveclosed
ClassPGA-P+ - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Primary Level: ages 9-10 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGA-E - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Liveclosed
ClassPGA-E+ - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGA-J - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Junior Level: ages 13-14Liveclosed
ClassPGA-J+ - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGA-I - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Liveclosed
ClassPGA-I+ - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGA-S - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Senior Level: ages 17-18Liveclosed
ClassPGA-S+ - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGA-A - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Liveclosed
ClassPGA-A+ - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGA-O - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - OpenLiveclosed
ClassPGA-O+ - Popular Guitar Additional Repertoire - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed

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.

ClassPGSW-E - Popular Guitar Songwriter - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Liveclosed
ClassPGSW-E+ - Popular Guitar Songwriter - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGSW-J - Popular Guitar Songwriter - Junior Level: ages 13-14Liveclosed
ClassPGSW-J+ - Popular Guitar Songwriter - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGSW-I - Popular Guitar Songwriter - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Liveclosed
ClassPGSW-I+ - Popular Guitar Songwriter - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGSW-S - Popular Guitar Songwriter - Senior Level: ages 17-18Liveclosed
ClassPGSW-S+ - Popular Guitar Songwriter - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGSW-A - Popular Guitar Songwriter - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Liveclosed
ClassPGSW-A+ - Popular Guitar Songwriter - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassPGSW-O - Popular Guitar Songwriter - OpenLiveclosed
ClassPGSW-O+ - Popular Guitar Songwriter - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed

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.

ClassRGBB-J - Rock / Garage Band Ballad - Junior Level: ages 13-14Liveclosed
ClassRGBB-J+ - Rock / Garage Band Ballad - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassRGBB-I - Rock / Garage Band Ballad - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Liveclosed
ClassRGBB-I+ - Rock / Garage Band Ballad - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassRGBB-S - Rock / Garage Band Ballad- Senior Level: ages 17-18Liveclosed
ClassRGBB-S+ - Rock / Garage Band Ballad - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassRGBB-A - Rock / Garage Band Ballad - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Liveclosed
ClassRGBB-A+ - Rock / Garage Band Ballad - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassRGBB-O - Rock / Garage Band Ballad - OpenLiveclosed
ClassRGBB-O+ - Rock / Garage Band Ballad - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed

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.

ClassRGBU-J - Rock / Garage Band Up-Tempo - Junior Level: ages 13-14Liveclosed
ClassRGBU-J+ - Rock / Garage Band Up-Tempo - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassRGBU-I - Rock / Garage Band Up-Tempo - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Liveclosed
ClassRGBU-I+ - Rock / Garage Band Up-Tempo - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassRGBU-S - Rock / Garage Band Up-Tempo- Senior Level: ages 17-18Liveclosed
ClassRGBU-S+ - Rock / Garage Band Up-Tempo - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassRGBU-A - Rock / Garage Band Up-Tempo - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Liveclosed
ClassRGBU-A+ - Rock / Garage Band Up-Tempo - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed
ClassRGBU-O - Rock / Garage Band Up-Tempo - OpenLiveclosed
ClassRGBU-O+ - Rock / Garage Band Up-Tempo - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSLiveclosed