VIRTUAL FESTIVAL
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
VIRTUAL FESTIVAL
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Kitchener-Waterloo Kiwanis Music Festival
Piano Program
Piano Classes will be scheduled during the week of April 24th to 29th, 2023.
Click on the sub-divisions below for more information about our piano classes including fees, class levels and descriptions.
It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that they are familiar with class guidelines prior to registering for classes.
CLICK HERE for Piano Class Rules & Regulations
Piano Syllabus
Solo Piano Classes
Elementary Piano: Solo Classes - $30 / Recital Classes - $40
Beginner (Less than 2 years of study
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Method Book / Preparatory A
Novice (2 or more years of study)
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Method Book / Preparatory B
Level 1 / Level 2
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List A / List B / List C / Etude / Canadian / Popular / Recital
Non-Competitive
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Preparatory to Level 2
Junior Piano: Solo Classes - $33 / Recital Classes - $43
Levels 3 / Level 4 / Level 5
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List A / List B / List C / Etude / Canadian / Popular / Recital
Non-Competitive
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Levels 3-5
Intermediate Piano: Solo Classes - $36 / Recital Classes - $46
Levels 6 / Level 7
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List A / List B / List C / Etude / Canadian / Popular / Recital
Level 8
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List A / List B / List C / List D / Etude / Canadian / Chopin / Popular / Recital
Non-Competitive
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Levels 3-5
Senior Piano: Solo Classes - $39 / Recital Classes - $49
Level 9
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List A / List B / List C / List D / Etude / Canadian / Chopin / Popular / Recital
Level 10
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List A / List B / List C / List D / List E / Etude / Canadian / Chopin / Popular / Recital
Diploma / Post-Diploma
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List A / List B / List C / List D / List E / List F/ Canadian / Chopin / Recital
Non-Competitive
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Levels 3-5
Piano Solo Class Levels
Beginner Level Participants in their first 1-2 years of study may enter the Method Book and/or Preparatory A classes and may play one (1) or two (2) selections per class entry as these are shorter pieces. If a student chooses to play two (2) selections the adjudicator will assign one mark which is the average for both pieces. No preference will be given based on how many pieces the participant plays.
Novice Level Participants who have had 2 or more years of study may enter the Method Book and/or Preparatory B classes and must play one (1) selection per class entry.
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.
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.
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.
Adult & 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 are offered for each piano division, with a separate division for adult amateurs (registration will be listed as “Piano: Adult (Non-Competitive)”. Adult-Child groups may enter Non-Competitive Ensemble classes.
Piano Solo Class Descriptions
Method Book & Preparatory Classes Participants in the Beginner Method Book or Preparatory A Classes may choose to play one (1) or two (2) selections since the pieces are short. For Novice Method Book or Preparatory B classes participants may play one (1) Selection. Repertoire may be chosen from any Method Book, or the Preparatory A & B Syllabus lists and “Teacher’s Choice” selections are permitted in any Beginner or Novice Level class. Teachers should consult the RCM Preparatory Repertoire lists to ensure the level of the piece is appropriate for the chosen class.
List Classes (List A, List B, etc) Participants must perform one (1) Selection from the appropriate grade level and list from the RCM Piano Syllabus 2022 Edition, or CC Classical Piano Syllabus 2018 Edition.
Etude Classes Levels 1-2: Participants must perform one (1) selection from the Etude list in the RCM Piano Syllabus. Levels 3-10: Participants must perform two (2) selections (as required by the RCM Piano Syllabus). Etudes do not need to be memorized. (This does not include Diploma List F: Concert Etudes where one (1) selection from the syllabus must be played by memory).
Popular Classes Participants must perform one (1) selection from the appropriate grade level in either the RCM Popular Selection List 2022 Edition or CC Contemporary Idioms Piano Lists.
Canadian Classes Participants must perform one (1) selection from any syllabus list at the appropriate grade level that is written by a Canadian composer.
Chopin Classes Participants must perform one (1) selection by Chopin from any syllabus list at the appropriate grade level. Those who enter a Chopin Class at a Senior Level (9-Diploma) will be eligible to win the Chopin Senior Piano Trophy and a Scholarship Award (as decided by the Senior Piano Adjudicator). Participants may play Chopin in a List C class but will not be eligible to win the Trophy.
Recital Classes Participants must perform two (2) contrasting selections and should enter the level that they are generally enrolled in. The difficulty of the repertoire should be at their enrolled level or higher. Students should consult with their teacher in selecting repertoire that is appropriate (repertoire does not need to be included on a syllabus list). The total performance time must be within the following time limits: Levels 1-5 Maximum 6 Minutes, Levels 6-8 Maximum 10 Minutes, Level 9-10 Maximum 15 Minutes, Diploma 20 Minutes.
Piano Concerto Syllabus
Beginner (Ages 8 & below)
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Any Level - $30
Primary (Ages 9-10) / Elementary (Ages 11-12) / Junior (Ages 13-14) / Intermediate (Ages 15-16) /
Senior (Ages 17-18) / Advanced (Ages 19-28)
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Level 8 and under - $33
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Level 9 and above - $36
Open (Post-Diploma) - $39
KW Concerto Competition (Ages 12-18) - $36
Piano Concerto Class Descriptions
Concerto Classes Participants must select their level based on their age as of December 31, 2022 and the grade level that they are generally enrolled in. For example, if a participant enters mostly Level 9 classes, then they should select “Level 9 and above” under their age group. One (1) movement of a concerto must be performed for “Level 8 and below”, Two (2) consecutive movements must be performed for “Level 9 and Above”, and for Open: Post-Diploma participants may play 2 or more movements with a maximum time limit of 20 minutes. Concertos must be performed with piano accompaniment, and performers must make their own arrangements for an accompanist. 2 pianos will be available at the venue for concerto classes. Orchestral introductions and breaks in the accompaniment may be abridged.
KWCO Concerto Competition This class is an annual competition where three (3) winners and two (2) runners-up will be selected to perform with the KW Community Orchestra. Participants will receive verbal and written adjudications but will not be graded. Winners and runners-up will be announced at the end of the class. Registrants must refer to the KWCO Concerto Competition section of the Syllabus for further details and to confirm their eligibility. *Note: Previous competition winners are not eligible to enter.
Piano Ensemble Classes
Piano Ensemble Class Options:
Classica Duet / Classical Duo / Classical Trio / Classical Quartet
Popular Duet / Popular Duo / Popular Trio / Popular Quartet
Classical Ensemble Levels & Fees
Beginner (Levels 1-4) - $30
Junior (Levels 5-7) - $33
Intermediate (Levels 8-10) - $36
Senior (Diploma) - $39
Non-Competitive - $30
Popular Ensemble Levels & Fees
Primary (Ages 9-10) - $30
Elementary (Ages 11-12) - $30
Junior (Ages 13-14) - $33
Intermediate (Ages 15-16) - $36
Senior (Ages 17-18) - $36
Advanced (Ages 19-28) - $39
Non-Competitive - $30
Piano Ensemble Class Levels
Classical Ensembles 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).
Popular Ensembles Participants must enter the age level of the oldest participant based on their age as of December 31st, 2022 for competitive classes.
Piano Ensemble Class Descriptions
Class Requirements Participants must perform one (1) selection (maximum of two (2) movements if applicable). Repertoire does not need to memorized for ensemble classes.
Duet One (1) Piano, four (4) Hands
Duo Two (2) Pianos, four (4) Hands
Duo One (1) Piano, six (6) Hands
Quartet Two (2) Pianos, Eight (8) Hands
Piano Adult Syllabus
Class Levels
Beginner (1-2 Years of Study)
Intermediate (2-5 Yrs)
Advanced (5+ Years)
Class Options & Fees
Classical Piano Solo / Popular Piano Solo - $30 (1 Repertoire Selection)
Classical Piano Recital / Popular Piano Recital - $40 (2 Repertoire Selections
Piano Class 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.
Class Registrations Participants may only register once per Class Option for all competitive classes. Classes listed as “Non-Competitive” are allowed multiple registrations and participants may play 1 selection per registration.
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. A piece may qualify for two (2) different classes such as List C and Canadian, but the piece may only be played in one (1) class, not both.
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.
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.
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 required for all competitive piano classes, except for Etude classes (Levels 1-10) and Piano Ensemble classes.
Multi-movement Selections One (1) Selection may consist of multiple movements, where specified in the RCM or CC Syllabus. Participants must perform the movement(s) specified in the syllabus where applicable. For example, the syllabus may require that only one movement of a piece be played, or that two or more specific movements or the complete work be played. EXCEPTION: See below regarding Time Limits.
Time Limit Total performance time must not exceed twenty (20) minutes in total for any class. If the performance time for a complete work should exceed the time limit students may omit a movement (it is recommended that participants play 2 consecutive movements).
Piano Resources