​Brass Class Levels

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Levels Preparatory, 1-10             Participants must enter a grade level that is higher than their most recent examination as of December 31st, 2022. For example, if a student passes a level 4 exam in December, then they must enter classes at level 5 or higher.  If a student passes a level 4 exam anytime after January 1, 2023 then they may still enter level 4 classes.  **The RCM & CC Trumpet Syllabi include all grade levels, but all other brass instruments may only enter Levels 1, 2, 4, 6, 8-10, (Post-)Diploma.

 

Diploma Level   Diploma classes are for participants who are 1) currently working towards their ARCT, ACCM or an equivalent diploma examination AND 2) have been studying at this level for LESS than 2 years AND 3) have not yet completed a Diploma Level examination.

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Post-Diploma Level        Participants who have earned their ARCT/ACCM or equivalent Diploma, OR who have been studying at the Diploma level for more than 2 years must enter at the Post-Diploma Level.

 

Age Levels          For Popular, Popular Duet and Popular Trio classes participants must enter the level based on their age as of December 31st, 2022.  For Duet and Trio classes participants must enter the age group of the oldest competitor.

 

Non-Competitive Classes            Participants will receive a written and verbal adjudication, as well as a Participation Ribbon, but will not be given marks or class placements and are not eligible for financial awards or OMFA Provincials recommendations.   Non-Competitive classes will be organized based on registration so that participants of similar ages and levels will be grouped together.  Adult amateurs may enter any Non-Competitive class.  Adult-Child groups may enter Non-Competitive Duet and Trio classes.

 

Brass Class Options

 

Brass Solo          Participants must perform one (1) selection from the appropriate grade level and any Repertoire list in their instrument’s RCM or CC Syllabus. Accompaniment is required (see Rules & Regulations below).

 

Brass Recital      Participants must perform two contrasting (2) selections from the appropriate grade level and from different Repertoire lists in their instrument’s RCM or CC Syllabus.  For example, if the grade level includes List A & List B the participant should play one (1) selection from each list.  If there is a List C, then the participant may choose which two (2) Lists to select from. Accompaniment is required (see Rules & Regulations below).

 

Etude Classes    Participants must perform two (2) contrasting Etudes/Studies from the appropriate grade level.  Where the syllabus indicates “Group 1” and “Group 2” participants should select one (1) Etude from each Group.

 

Popular Classes   Participants must perform one (1) selection in any of the following genres: pop, folk, R & B, soul, rock, alternative, indie, jazz or country.  Songs listed in the RCM or CC syllabus are not permitted.  Popular selections must be performed with either live accompaniment or an instrumental backing track.

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Classical Duets & Trios Participants must enter the category that matches the grade level of the most advanced player in the ensemble.  For example, if a duet includes one student who enters Level 4 classes, and one who enters Level 5 classes, then they should register for Junior (Levels 5-7).  

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Popular Duets & Trios   Participants must perform one (1) selection and must enter the age level of the oldest participant based on their age as of December 31st, 2022 for competitive classes.

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Brass Rules & Regulations

 

Failure to follow the Rules & Regulations below will disqualify participants from receiving a mark or class placement.  Participants may still receive written and verbal evaluations from the adjudicator.

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Age Limits                        Competitive classes are open to participants up to the age of 28 as of December 31, 2022.  Adults aged 29+ are only eligible for non-competitive classes.

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Accompaniment             Participants must perform with live piano accompaniment for all Brass Solo & Brass Recital classes (except where the syllabus indicates that a piece is “Unaccompanied”) and performers must make their own arrangements for an accompanist. **Participants who register for four (4) or more accompanied classes are eligible for a $35 Registration discount.

 

Backing Tracks                For Popular classes only, participants must use either live accompaniment (piano or guitar/ukuklele) or an instrumental backing track that does not have back-up vocals.  Performers are encouraged to use tracks with limited instrumental breaks (edited tracks/ reductions are allowed). Backing tracks must be provided as an MP3 file prior to the festival class (registrants will be contacted with instructions for submission).  Backing tracks may be purchased from www.karaoke-version.com

 

Duet & Trio Accompaniment       Piano accompaniment is not required but should be included if indicated in the score. The piano part is considered “accompaniment” when the piano part does not have an equal role, and the pianist is not a participant being evaluated.  Ensembles where the piano part plays an equal role, and the pianist is a class participant should enter in the “Chamber Music” division.

 

Class Registrations         Participants may only register once per Class Option for all competitive classes.  Classes listed as “Non-Competitive” are allowed multiple registrations.

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Class Levels       Participants must perform repertoire that is listed under the corresponding grade level in the RCM or CC syllabus. There are no exceptions, even when a higher-level piece has been approved by RCM or CC for examination purposes. 

 

Repertoire Selections    Participants cannot perform the same selection in different classes (for example, if a participant enters both a Brass Solo class and a Brass Recital class then they must perform 3 different selections).

 

Multi-movement Selections       One (1) selection may consist of multiple movements (ex. Concertos and Sonatas).  Participants must only perform two (2) contrasting movements where complete works are indicated in the syllabus.

 

Syllabus Exceptions       Participants who wish to play a piece that is not on a syllabus list can do so if 1) they provide a letter of approval from the RCM or CC for examination purposes, and/or 2) they submit a request for approval to the KWKMF Coordinator no later than January 30, 2023. Requests will be forwarded to a designated Piano Committee to determine if the piece is appropriate for a particular grade level and class.

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Syllabus Conflicts           1) Where there are conflicts between newer and older editions of a syllabus students must follow the most recent syllabus 2) Where there are conflicts between the RCM and CC syllabi, participants may choose which syllabus to use.  For example, if a piece is listed in the RCM syllabus as Level 6 but is listed as Level 7 in the CC syllabus the student may choose to enter the level that generally aligns with their other class entries.

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Sheet Music       Participants must provide the adjudicator with a legally purchased copy of the music for all selections (a purchase receipt must be presented for digital copies).

Memorization is not required for Brass classes.

 

Brass Resources

 

• CC Classical Trumpet Syllabus                               

• RCM Horn Syllabus, 2003 Edition

• RCM Euphonium Syllabus, 2003 Edition               

• RCM Trombone Syllabus, 2003 Edition

• RCM Trumpet Syllabus, 2013 Edition                    

• RCM Tuba Syllabus, 2003 Edition