April 2023 Syllabus - Popular Piano

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 from Conservatory Canada (CC) Contemporary Idioms Piano lists and the Royal Conservatory of Music Popular Lists (RCM) are eligible.

Selections that are NOT permitted:
• Rap and Hip Hop
• Songs listed in the RCM or CC classical piano syllabi

Competitors are encouraged to perform all selections from memory.

Competitors will be judged on their choice of selections, interpretation, contrasting tempi, style, vocal quality and age appropriateness.

Popular Piano Ballad

Own choice. Repertoire must be selected from any ballad that would be considered to be in the popular music idiom, but is not part of the Popular Selections 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 piano 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.

ClassPPB-B - Popular Piano Ballad - Beginner Level: ages 6-8Feeclosed
ClassPPB-B+ - Popular Piano Ballad - Beginner Level: ages 6-8 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPB-P - Popular Piano Ballad - Primary Level: ages 9-10Feeclosed
ClassPPB-P+ - Popular Piano Ballad - Primary Level: ages 9-10 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPB-E - Popular Piano Ballad - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Feeclosed
ClassPPB-E+ - Popular Piano Ballad - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPB-J - Popular Piano Ballad - Junior Level: ages 13-14Feeclosed
ClassPPB-J+ - Popular Piano Ballad - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPB-I - Popular Piano Ballad - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Feeclosed
ClassPPB-I+ - Popular Piano Ballad - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPB-S - Popular Piano Ballad - Senior Level: ages 17-18Feeclosed
ClassPPB-S+ - Popular Piano Ballad - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPB-A - Popular Piano Ballad - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Feeclosed
ClassPPB-A+ - Popular Piano Ballad - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPB-O - Popular Piano Ballad - OpenFeeclosed
ClassPPB-O+ - Popular Piano Ballad - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed

Popular Piano Up-Tempo

Own choice. Repertoire must be selected from any up-tempo piece that would be considered to be in the popular music idiom, but is not part of the Popular Selections 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 piano 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.

ClassPPU-B - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Beginner Level: ages 6-8Feeclosed
ClassPPU-B+ - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Beginner Level: ages 6-8 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPU-P - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Primary Level: ages 9-10Feeclosed
ClassPPU-P+ - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Primary Level: ages 9-10 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPU-E - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Feeclosed
ClassPPU-E+ - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPU-J - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Junior Level: ages 13-14Feeclosed
ClassPPU-J+ - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPU-I - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Feeclosed
ClassPPU-I+ - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPU-S - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Senior Level: ages 17-18Feeclosed
ClassPPU-S+ - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPU-A - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Feeclosed
ClassPPU-A+ - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPU-O - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - OpenFeeclosed
ClassPPU-O+ - Popular Piano Up-Tempo - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed

Popular Piano Jazz or Blues

Own choice. Repertoire must be a piece that would be considered to be in the jazz or blues idiom, but is not part of the Popular Selections 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 piano 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.

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

Popular Piano Canadian Composer

Own choice. Repertoire must be selected from any piece that would be considered to be in the popular music idiom and written by a Canadian, but is not part of the Popular Selections 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 piano 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.

ClassPPC-B - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Beginner Level: ages 6-8Feeclosed
ClassPPC-B+ - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Beginner Level: ages 6-8 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPC-P - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Primary Level: ages 9-10Feeclosed
ClassPPC-P+ - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Primary Level: ages 9-10 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPC-E - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Feeclosed
ClassPPC-E+ - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPC-J - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Junior Level: ages 13-14Feeclosed
ClassPPC-J+ - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPC-I - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Feeclosed
ClassPPC-I+ - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPC-S - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Senior Level: ages 17-18Feeclosed
ClassPPC-S+ - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPC-A - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Feeclosed
ClassPPC-A+ - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPC-O - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - OpenFeeclosed
ClassPPC-O+ - Popular Piano Canadian Composer - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed

Popular Piano Additional Repertoire

Own choice. This category is meant for a second piece that would belong in another class that has already been entered (ie. an additional ballad, up-tempo or jazz/blues piece). Piece can be, but is not required to be by a Canadian Composer. Repertoire must be considered to be in the popular music idiom, but is not part of the Popular Selections 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 piano 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.

ClassPPA-B - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Beginner Level: ages 6-8Feeclosed
ClassPPA-B+ - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Beginner Level: ages 6-8 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPA-P - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Primary Level: ages 9-10Feeclosed
ClassPPA-P+ - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Primary Level: ages 9-10 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPA-E - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Feeclosed
ClassPPA-E+ - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPA-J - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Junior Level: ages 13-14Feeclosed
ClassPPA-J+ - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPA-I - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Feeclosed
ClassPPA-I+ - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPA-S - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Senior Level: ages 17-18Feeclosed
ClassPPA-S+ - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPA-A - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Feeclosed
ClassPPA-A+ - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPA-O - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - OpenFeeclosed
ClassPPA-O+ - Popular Piano Additional Repertoire - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed

Popular Piano Original Composition

Compose an original piece in what would be considered a 'popular' style for piano. 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 piano 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.

ClassPPOC-E - Popular Piano Original Composition - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Feeclosed
ClassPPOC-E+ - Popular Piano Original Composition - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPOC-J - Popular Piano Original Composition - Junior Level: ages 13-14Feeclosed
ClassPPOC-J+ - Popular Piano Original Composition - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPOC-I - Popular Piano Original Composition - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Feeclosed
ClassPPOC-I+ - Popular Piano Original Composition - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPOC-S - Popular Piano Original Composition - Senior Level: ages 17-18Feeclosed
ClassPPOC-S+ - Popular Piano Original Composition - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPOC-A - Popular Piano Original Composition - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Feeclosed
ClassPPOC-A+ - Popular Piano Original Composition - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPOC-O - Popular Piano Original Composition - OpenFeeclosed
ClassPPOC-O+ - Popular Piano Original Composition - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed

Popular Piano Duet

Competitors must enter the class according to the age of the oldest in the duet. Performance should be of a piece in the popular music idiom. Competitors may enter this category multiple times with different partners and different repertoire that has not been previously performed in the Festival, but a separate registration is required for each entry. Separate registration forms are required.

ADJUDICATION PLUS categories will include an opportunity for each competitor to return to the piano 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.

ClassPPDu-E - Popular Piano Duet - Elementary Level: ages 11-12Feeclosed
ClassPPDu-E+ - Popular Piano Duet - Elementary Level: ages 11-12 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPDu-J - Popular Piano Duet - Junior Level: ages 13-14Feeclosed
ClassPPDu-J+ - Popular Piano Duet - Junior Level: ages 13-14 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPDu-I - Popular Piano Duet - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16Feeclosed
ClassPPDu-I+ - Popular Piano Duet - Intermediate Level: ages 15-16 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPDu-S - Popular Piano Duet - Senior Level: ages 17-18Feeclosed
ClassPPDu-S+ - Popular Piano Duet - Senior Level: ages 17-18 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPDu-A - Popular Piano Duet - Advanced Level: ages 19-28Feeclosed
ClassPPDu-A+ - Popular Piano Duet - Advanced Level: ages 19-28 ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed
ClassPPDu-O - Popular Piano Duet - OpenFeeclosed
ClassPPDu-O+ - Popular Piano Duet - Open ADJUDICATION PLUSFeeclosed