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VIRTUAL FESTIVAL
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
VIRTUAL FESTIVAL
REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Kitchener-Waterloo Kiwanis Music Festival

Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I register for festival classes?In order to register for classes all participants must create a Music Festival Suite profile at kwkmf.musicfestivalsuite.com. For children under the age of 18 parents must first create their own profile and can then create a profile for each of their children. Once your profiles are created you can then start selecting the classes you wish to register for. Parents can add multiple children and classes before paying the final invoice. Registration is complete once the invoice has been paid.
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I'm an adult participant...how do I register for classes?Adults can simply create their own profile at kwkms.musicfestivalsuite.com in order to register for classes. When creating your profile you will be asked to input your age so that you will be recognized as an adult. You will then be given the option to either enter your Teacher's profile ID, or you may select the "Self-Taught" option. Once your profile is created you can start selecting your classes. Registration is complete once you pay your invoice.
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I am a Music Teacher and/or an Accompanist....do I need a festival profile?No, you do not have to create profile, but it is strongly recommended that you do. By creating your own profile you will be able to link with your students' profiles which will allow you to see all the classes they are registered for, when they are scheduled, and the comments sheets and marks from adjudicators. You will also be included in our mailing list so that you can stay informed about important festival dates, events and other information. Once you create your profile you can send your Profile ID to your students so that they can link their profile with yours. To do this you can click on the Menu and select “Linked Profiles”, then click “Email Your ID To Others”. Enter in the email addresses of your students and click “Send ID
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Do I need to a Teacher Profile ID in order to register my child for classes?No, but if you study with a private teacher it is highly recommended that you include their ID so that they can stay up to date with your festival class information, and can ensure you have registered for the correct classes. Ask your teacher if they have created their own festival profile - if yes then they can provide you with their ID number. If you do not have a teacher, or if your teacher does not wish to create their own profile, then the Parent must also select the "Entrant's Teacher" role as part of their festival profile. You can check multiple options when creating an account, or add roles later by clicking on “Edit Profile” and check any roles that may apply including “Entrant’s Teacher”.
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I am a Music Teacher...can I complete the registration for my students?Yes, but first your students (or their parent) must create their own profile in Music Festival Suite, and enter your Teacher ID number to link your accounts. This step can not be done by the teacher since it requires that parents complete a legal consent form their child. Once your student(s) has set up a profile you can take it from there: · In the drop-down Menu at the top of the main page click on Registrations · Click the “Add a New Registration” button and on the next page click the “I Am Ready to Register” button. · On the registration page in the “Registering For” drop down menu select “My Student or Group”. In the “Performer” drop down menu select the student you would like to register for (only students who have set up a profile and included your Teacher ID will appear here) · On the next page fill in the fields for repertoire selection, and in the Final Details section find the “To Be Paid By” drop down menu – you may select either yourself or the student’s parent. · Once all your registrations are entered you (or the parents) can pay the invoice to complete the registration. All your entries will be saved until you ready to pay. · Invoices can be found by selecting “Accounts” in the drop-down Menu at the top of the page
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I am a School or Community Music Teacher....how do I register my group(s) for classes?First you must create your own profile as an "Entrant's Teacher/Group Leader". Any other teachers/leaders involved in your organization may wish to create their own profiles as well to stay informed. Second you must create a profile for each ensemble that will be participating. To do this click on the Menu and select "Linked Profiles", and click on "Create a Group Participant Profile". Once your profiles have been created you may start adding classes for each group. You can choose to assign the class payment to the group or the teacher (in which case the invoice will appear in the teacher's profile). Registration is complete once the invoice is paid.
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I have more than one role in the festival (ex. Teacher and Parent) ... do I need a separate profile for each of my festival roles?No, you do not need separate profiles if you are involved in the festival in more than one role. At the time of creating a new profile you may check any roles that apply to you at the time. And you can always add or remove roles from your profile by clicking on “Edit Profile” and (un)check any roles that may apply.
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I'd like to Volunteer during the festival weeks...do I need to create a festival profile?Yes! New this year volunteers will need to create their own profile to stay up to date with festival information, and to see their assigned volunteer roles and schedule. Let us know you are interested by creating your profile at kwkmf.musicfestivalsuite.com, and check "Volunteer or Administrator" on the right side of the screen. The festival schedule will be put together in February and we will start reaching out to volunteers shortly after to confirm their availability. If you have questions about volunteering and what's involved email danielle@kwkiwanismusicfestival.com.
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I've completed my registration....when will I find out about my class schedule?The festival schedule will be created during the month of February after registration closes. The schedule will be posted by March 1st for Ensemble classes during the week of March 27th to 31st. All other class schedules will be posted by March 15th for the week of April 24th-29th. Festival participants will be notified by email when their class schedules are available, and the schedule will be posted on the website and participants can login to their festival profile to check their own classes.
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I'm not sure what I want to perform yet...do I have put in a repertoire selection at the time of registration?Repertoire selections must be entered in order to complete your registration. However you will be able to make changes to your repertoire selections up to March 31st. Once registration closes a Change Request Form will be made available to participants. Please try to enter accurate playing times for your repertoire selection, and be mindful when requesting a repertoire change that the new selection should be of a similar length.
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What class level should I register for?For classes based on grade levels (Preparatory, Levels 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 3 exam in December, then they must enter classes at Level 4 or higher. If a student passes a Level 3 exam anytime after January 1, 2023, then they may still enter Level 3 classes. For ensemble classes participants must enter the class that matches the grade level of the most advanced player in the ensemble. For example in a duet if one students plays at a grade 4 level, and the other plays at a grade 5 level then they must enter in the "Junior (Levels 5-7)" class.
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Which age group should I register for?For class levels that are based on age participants must enter the level based on their age as of December 31st, 2022. Where Ensemble classes are listed by age groups participants must enter the class that matches the oldest participant based on their age as of December 31st, 2022.
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Who can enter Beginner and Novice levels for piano?As a general guideline it is suggested that students who have been taking lessons for 1-2 years can register for Beginner level classes, and students who have been taking lessons for 2 or more years can register for Novice level classes. However these classes are meant to be very inclusive for students in their early stages of music learning so teachers and students can use the Preparatory A and Preparatory B lists for guidance here as well. For example if a student has taken lessons for more than 2 years, but is playing repertoire that can be found on the Preparatory A list then they are welcome to join at the Beginner level. Alternately a student who has had only 1 year of lessons but is ready to play repertoire from the Preparatory B list can join at the Novice level.
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Who can enter "Diploma" and "Post-Diploma" Levels?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. 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.
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Can I play repertoire that is from a higher level than the class I'm entering?No, participants are only allowed to play repertoire from the grade level that matches the class they are in for all Solo classes. There are no exceptions to this rule, even when a higher level piece has been approved by the RCM or CC for exam purposes. Recital classes may follow different guidelines - refer to the 2023 KWKMF Syllabus for instrument specific rules.
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What is a "Method Book" or a "Preparatory" class?"New students typically start learning from "Method Books" which teach them the foundations of music reading and performance. The Royal Conservatory and Canada Conservatory curriculum start with "Preparatory Levels" prior to Level 1, and many of the pieces listed at the Preparatory Level can be found in a variety of Method Books. Therefore students may choose from the formal lists, or may have their teacher select a piece at an appropriate level to play in either class.
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What is a "List A, B or C" class?"In the Royal Conservatory of Music or a comparable program the pieces of music that a student can play are divided into different repertoire lists according to genre or style. In a festival class that is "List A", you will need to play a piece that is found under "List A" in the syllabus for your instrument. *Note the Canada Conservatory program refers to repertoire lists as "Group 1" or "Group 2" etc, which correspond to the RCM lists. Refer to the 2023 KWKMF Syllabus for links to relevant resources and class details.
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What is an "Etude" class?""Etude" is French for "study". Etudes feature a challenge in technique. Participants should consult the "Etude" lists in the Royal Conservatory or Conservatory Canada Syllabus for their instrument for a list of accepted pieces. Some etude classes require you to perform two etudes (refer to the 2023 KWKMF Syllabus).
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What is a "Non-Competive" class?"Non-Competitive classes offer the opportunity for students to receive feedback from an adjudicator without the pressure of competition. All participants in a non-competitive class will receive written and verbal comments and a participant ribbon. Adults aged 29+ may only enter Non-Competitive classes. Adult-Child groups may enter non-competitive group classes.
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What is a "Popular" class?""Popular" classes are meant to include a variety of genres outside of the classical music tradition. Students should consult the 2023 KWKMF Syllabus for instrument specific requirements in Popular classes. For some disciplines there are set lists that student must choose from such as the RCM Popular Selection List, the Contemporary Idioms Syllabus or the Connections Series. For other disciplines students may play a piece that fits within the following genres: pop, folk, R & B, soul, rock, alternative, indie, jazz, or country. Popular selections must be performed with either live accompaniment or an instrumental backing track.
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What is a "Recital" class?"In Recital classes the participant performs two contrasting selections. They can contrast in style, period, tempo, form, or language. Students should consult the class guidelines in the 2023 KWKMF Syllabus for their discipline as some divisions require students follow a syllabus for Recital classes.
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We are a Duet/Trio/Quartet group....should we register in the Chamber Music or Solo Class division?Duet and Trio class options are available within each instrument division and Piano Quartets are included in the Piano division. Duet groups should register in their instrument division (example: String Duets should register in the String division). Trios consisting of the same instrument family (ex. 3 brass instruments) should register under their instruments’ division, whereas a Trio consisting of mixed instrumentation should register in the Chamber Music division (ex. a trio with violin, piano and flute). Piano Quartets (2 Pianos, 8 Hands) should register in the Piano division.
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Do I need an accompanist?Most classes in the Brass, Strings, Voice, Woodwinds and Piano Concerto divisions require that participants must perform with live piano accompaniment. Participants should consult their division syllabus carefully regarding accompaniment rules. Performers are responsible for making all arrangements with, and payment to their accompanist. Accompanists may create their own MFS profile which may be linked with the participant’s so that they can receive class updates, but it is still the responsibility of the participant to ensure their accompanist is available. Participants who register for four (4) or more accompanied classes are eligible for a $35 Accompaniment Allowance.
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When should I arrive for my class?It is recommended that festival participants arrive 20 minutes prior to their scheduled class to allow time to find parking, find your class and to sign in when you arrive. For instruments that need to be put together, tuned and warmed up participants should arrive 30 minutes prior to their class.
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Can I "warm up" before my class?For instruments that need to be put together, tuned and warmed up a room will be provided for participants to get ready. They may leave their instrument cases in the room while they are in their festival class. Pianos will not be available to play outside of the festival classes.
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Can my family attend my class? Can I watch other festival classes?Yes! The KW Kiwanis Music Festival is an open public event, so people are welcome to view any class. Audience members will not be allowed to enter during a performance, but may be allowed in at a time that will not disturb the class. Please be aware that photography, recording and cellphone usage is strictly prohibited in all festival performance spaces during classes (except for official KWKMF Media persons). Phones and other devices must be Silenced or set to Do Not Disturb during festival classes.
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Is there a dress code for performers... what should I wear?It is recommended that participants wear attire appropriate for performing. Participants should avoid clothing with visible corporate logos, sports team names or logos, copyrighted images, celebrity names or images (living or dead), cartoon character images, or inappropriate messages or words (for example, profanity).
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Can I use photocopied music for my performance?No. In accordance with the Canadian Copyright Act 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). In etude, duet and ensemble classes, photocopied scores for the performers or adjudicators are not permitted unless the score is in the public domain or unless the copying follows legal requirements.
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Should I introduce myself before I perform?Yes. Participants should announce their name, the title of their selection(s), which movements they are playing and the name of the composer before performing. If performing more than one selection both pieces should be introduced at the same time. Performers should allow a brief pause between selections.
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