2024 Syllabus - Popular Voice

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 Contemporary Idioms Voice lists and the RCM List C (Levels 1-6) and RCM List D (Levels 7-10) are eligible excluding musical theatre and operetta.

Selections that are NOT permitted:
• Selections from Musical Theatre (both staged and non-staged), cabaret, revues, operetta and stand-alone songs in musical theatre style.
• Rap and Hip Hop
• Songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (Lists A and B from Levels 1-6; Lists A, B, C from Levels 7-10)
• Songs from movie musicals and animated films

Competitors must choose selections that are age-appropriate with lyrics that are suitable for all audiences.

All selections must be sung from memory.

Competitors will be judged on their interpretation, style, vocal quality and age appropriateness.

Accepted accompaniment can include live accompaniment by piano, guitar, ukulele, or backtracks without background vocals. Tracks can be purchased from www.karaoke-version.com

A sound system will be provided with a microphone at the venue.

Popular Voice Ballad

Any voice. Own choice of a Ballad. Repertoire may be selected from rock, country, contemporary folk, movie/tv theme, country, or pop genre. 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.

Selections may not be ... from Musical Theatre (both staged and non-staged), cabaret, revues, operetta and stand-alone songs in musical theatre style, songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (Lists A and B from Levels 1-6; Lists A, B, C from Levels 7-10), songs from movie musicals and animated films, Rap and Hip Hop

Competitors must choose selections that are age-appropriate with lyrics that are suitable for all audiences. All selections must be sung from memory.

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 Voice Up-Tempo

Any voice. Own choice of an Up-Tempo song. Repertoire may be selected from rock, country, contemporary folk, movie/tv theme, country, or pop genre. 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.

Selections may not be ... from Musical Theatre (both staged and non-staged), cabaret, revues, operetta and stand-alone songs in musical theatre style, songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (Lists A and B from Levels 1-6; Lists A, B, C from Levels 7-10), songs from movie musicals and animated films, Rap and Hip Hop

Competitors must choose selections that are age-appropriate with lyrics that are suitable for all audiences. All selections must be sung from memory.

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 Voice Jazz or Blues

Own choice of any Jazz or Blues standard. Any voice. Accompaniment is optional but must be acoustic. 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.

Selections may not be ... from Musical Theatre (both staged and non-staged), cabaret, revues, operetta and stand-alone songs in musical theatre style, songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (Lists A and B from Levels 1-6; Lists A, B, C from Levels 7-10), songs from movie musicals and animated films, Rap and Hip Hop

Competitors must choose selections that are age-appropriate with lyrics that are suitable for all audiences. All selections must be sung from memory.

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 Voice Canadian Composer

Any voice. Own choice of any song that would be considered part of the Popular Music idiom, written/performed by a Canadian Artist. Repertoire may be selected from rock, country, contemporary folk, movie/tv theme, country, or pop genre. 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.

Selections may not be ... from Musical Theatre (both staged and non-staged), cabaret, revues, operetta and stand-alone songs in musical theatre style, songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (Lists A and B from Levels 1-6; Lists A, B, C from Levels 7-10), songs from movie musicals and animated films, Rap and Hip Hop

Competitors must choose selections that are age-appropriate with lyrics that are suitable for all audiences. All selections must be sung from memory.

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 Voice Additional Repertoire

Any voice. Own choice of any song that would be considered part of the Popular Music idiom. Repertoire may be selected from rock, country, contemporary folk, movie/tv theme, country, or pop genre. 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.

Selections may not be ... from Musical Theatre (both staged and non-staged), cabaret, revues, operetta and stand-alone songs in musical theatre style, songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (Lists A and B from Levels 1-6; Lists A, B, C from Levels 7-10), songs from movie musicals and animated films, Rap and Hip Hop

Competitors must choose selections that are age-appropriate with lyrics that are suitable for all audiences. All selections must be sung from memory.

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 Voice Songwriter

Compose original music in any style that would be considered part of the Popular Music idiom, with voice as the lead line. Accompaniment may be provided by any other instrument(s), which could be performed by the singer, or additional musician(s). 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.

Selections may not be in any of the following styles ... Musical Theatre (both staged and non-staged), cabaret, revues, operetta, animated movie songs, Rap and Hip Hop

Competitors must choose selections that are age-appropriate with lyrics that are suitable for all audiences. All selections must be sung from memory.

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 Voice Self-Accompanied

Any voice. Own choice. Piano or another instrumental accompaniment (i.e. ukulele, guitar etc.) where accompaniment is also performed by the singer. 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 Voice Duet

Own choice of repertoire. Any combination of ages and voices. Competitors must enter the class according to the age of the oldest in the duet. 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.

Selections may not be ... from Musical Theatre (both staged and non-staged), cabaret, revues, operetta and stand-alone songs in musical theatre style, songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (Lists A and B from Levels 1-6; Lists A, B, C from Levels 7-10), songs from movie musicals and animated films, Rap and Hip Hop

Competitors must choose selections that are age-appropriate with lyrics that are suitable for all audiences. All selections must be sung from memory.

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 Voice Trio

Own choice of repertoire. Any combination of ages and voices. Competitors must enter the class according to the age of the oldest in the trio. 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.

Selections may not be ... from Musical Theatre (both staged and non-staged), cabaret, revues, operetta and stand-alone songs in musical theatre style, songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (Lists A and B from Levels 1-6; Lists A, B, C from Levels 7-10), songs from movie musicals and animated films, Rap and Hip Hop

Competitors must choose selections that are age-appropriate with lyrics that are suitable for all audiences. All selections must be sung from memory.

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 Voice Ensemble (4 - 15 members)

Own choice of repertoire. Any combination of ages and voices. Competitors must enter the class according to the AVERAGE age of the ensemble. Please add all ages at December 31, 2022 and divide by number of performers. 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.

Selections may not be ... from Musical Theatre (both staged and non-staged), cabaret, revues, operetta and stand-alone songs in musical theatre style, songs listed in the RCM or CC classical syllabi (Lists A and B from Levels 1-6; Lists A, B, C from Levels 7-10), songs from movie musicals and animated films, Rap and Hip Hop

Competitors must choose selections that are age-appropriate with lyrics that are suitable for all audiences. All selections must be sung from memory.

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.