2025 PROVINCIAL INSTRUMENTAL COMPETITION RULES - LEVEL 8 AND/OR 9

ELIGIBILITY:

The following rules govern the ORMTA 2025 Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 8 and/or 9 and must be followed at all Levels (Branch, Zone, and Provincial). NO LOCAL BRANCH OR ZONE MODIFICATIONS ARE PERMITTED. Failure to comply with these rules at any Level will result in disqualification. Competitors, teachers, parents, and guardians are therefore advised to read all information carefully. 

Competitors must be no older than 19 years of age as of December 31, 2024. 

Competitors must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents (landed immigrants). 

The competitors must be studying with an ORMTA teacher in good standing as of January 1, 2025. This teacher must be the competitor’s principal teacher for the performance discipline and must be a member in good standing at both the time of application and competition. 

In Branch Level Competitions (#1 in this graphic), competitors may compete in one (1) Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 8 and/or 9 in any of the Branches where their teacher is a member in good standing (primary or associate) as of January 1, 2025. If a teacher is a member of Branches in multiple Zones, their students may compete in (1) Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 8 and/or 9 in any Zone where that teacher is a member in good standing. Should a competitor win their Branch Level Competition, they must compete in the Zone Level Competition associated with that Branch. 

Branches in the same Zone may come together to host a single Branch Level Competition. They may either
   1)  Join resources and hold a single Branch Level competition, or
   2)  Share the financial responsibility for the rental of a venue and hold separate Branch Level Competitions at that venue. 
In either case Branches may each send a Competitor to the Zone Level Competitions.   

In Zone Level Competitions (#2 in this graphic), competitors must compete in the Zone associated with the Branch where they won their Branch Level Competition. 

Before being eligible to proceed to the Provincial Level Instrumental Competition - Level 8 and/or 9, competitors must have participated in both Branch and Zone Level Competitions (the Ottawa Region is an exception here as it is both a Branch and a Zone) and have obtained a First-Class Honours standing (80% or above) at both levels.

Each Zone may send only one (1) competitor to the Provincial Level Instrumental Competition - Level 8 and/or 9 (#3 in this graphic). 

Competitors cannot enter both the Provincial Instrumental Competition (either Level) and the Provincial Young Artist Competition in the same discipline in the same year. With a new program, previous winners may re-enter the Provincial Instrumental Competition one additional time, not necessarily in consecutive years. 

Competitors are responsible for their own expenses (travel, accommodation, collaborative pianist, etc.).

There is no requirement for competitors to have taken Conservatory examinations. However, competitors who have taken Conservatory examinations must provide proof of their most recent results. Should any questions arise, competitors may be asked to provide further proof of their standing. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. 

PROGRAM:

Competitors must be studying at Level/Grade 8 and/or 9 to take part in the Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 8 and/or 9. 

A list of Provincial Level Prizes and Awards is available under the Prizes tab on this page of the Provincial website. Please consider this when making repertoire choices for your program. 

All repertoire in the program must be at Conservatory Level/Grade 8 and/or 9 and must be taken from the most recent version of any officially recognized Canadian syllabus, details of which competitors will indicate on their application form. 

One selection from the RCM Popular Selection List or Conservatory Canada’s Contemporary Idioms Syllabus may be included in a competitor’s program. 

For this Competition (Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 8 and/or 9), competitors who participate in examinations must not have passed the Level/Grade 9 practical examination with any conservatory as of March 31, 2025. Those who have passed their Level/Grade 9 practical examination with any conservatory may participate in the Provincial Instrumental Competition – Levels 10 and Associate. Competitors who have passed their Level/Grade 8 practical examination with any conservatory as of March 31, 2025, must play Level/Grade 9 repertoire only on their program. 

The stylistic balance of the program will be considered in the adjudication. Repertoire should be chosen carefully to reflect the experience and maturity of the competitor.

The program must contain a minimum of three contrasting pieces with a maximum time limit of 15 minutes of stage time. There is no minimum time limit. Stage time is defined as the time between the first note of the performance and when the final selection concludes. 

The same repertoire selections must be performed at Branch, Zone, and Provincial Levels. Competitors may change their order of performance without penalty. Competitors wishing to change the order of their program must notify their Branch, Zone, and/or Provincial Convenor prior to the beginning of the Competition.

Competitors must perform all repertoire selections from memory. Competitors must provide legal music for the adjudicator. Tablets are permitted with proof of purchase of music or IMSLP, etc. Collaborative pianists must use legal music. The use of photocopied or scanned material is illegal and prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification from the competition. Music scores will be checked prior to the start of the Provincial Competition. 

An official timekeeper must sit near the adjudicator(s) during the competition. If the time limit is reached, the timekeeper will show the adjudicator(s) their timing device, continue timing and the competitor will be allowed to finish their entire program. The official timing of the competitor’s program will be recorded on the adjudication sheet. Any competitor who goes over the time limit will receive an adjudication only and will be disqualified from the Provincial Competition. Disqualified competitors will not be eligible for scholarships or prizes. 

Background tracks are not permitted; only live piano accompaniment is allowed. 

Competitors are not required or expected to introduce themselves or their pieces prior to performing.

Teachers and parents are permitted to be in their own student’s room during the warm-up, should the venue and schedule allow for warm-up time.

APPLICATIONS:

At all Levels, competitors, parents, and/or guardians will be required to indicate on their application form that they have read and understood the rules, and that they will abide by them. Please note that adjudicators’ decisions are final. 

BRANCH LEVEL COMPETITION:

Competitors MUST abide by the Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 8 and/or 9 rules as set out above. 

Competitors must use the Application Form for the Branch where they will be competing and abide by that Branch’s application and payment details and deadlines.

All Branch Level applications will be vetted by the Branch Level Competitions Convenors to ensure that all rules pertaining to Zone Level Competition as laid out in this document are adhered to. Competitors submitting incomplete or inaccurate applications will be contacted by the Branch Level Competitions Convenor and offered an opportunity to correct their application forms. 

For further information regarding the Branch Level Competition, contact your Branch Level Competitions Convenor.

ZONE LEVEL COMPETITION:

Competitors MUST abide by the Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 8 and/or 9 rules as set out above. 

Competitors must use the Application Form for the Zone where they will be competing and abide by that Zone’s application and payment details and deadlines.

All Zone Level applications will be vetted by the Zone Level Competitions Convenors to ensure that all rules pertaining to the Zone Level Competition as laid out in this document are adhered to. Competitors submitting incomplete or inaccurate applications will be contacted by the Zone Level Competitions Convenor and offered an opportunity to correct their application forms. 

For further information regarding the Zone Level Competition, contact your Zone Level Competitions Convenor.

PROVINCIAL LEVEL COMPETITION:

Competitors must abide by the Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 8 and/or 9 rules as set out above. 

The Provincial Level Application Form (for winners of their respective Zone Level Instrumental Competitions – Level 8 and/or 9) will be posted in the “Application Forms” tab on the Provincial Website on April 1, 2025. Applications close on May 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

The Application Form must be filled in online on or before the deadline of May 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time, as specified on the application form. Please note all applications are time stamped. Late Applications will not be accepted.

The Provincial Level Application Fee is $150. Online payment is required at the time of completing the online application. Application fees are non-refundable.

All Provincial Level applications will be vetted by the Provincial Competitions Convenor to ensure that all rules pertaining to all levels of Competition (Branch, Zone, and Provincial) as laid out in this document are adhered to. Competitors submitting incomplete or inaccurate applications will be contacted by the Provincial Competitions Convenor and offered an opportunity to correct their application forms. 

The Provincial Level Instrumental Competitions will be held at The Niagara Falls Public Library, 4848 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls, ON, L2E 4C5 on August 7, 2025.

For more information regarding the Provincial Level Competitions, please contact the ORMTA Provincial Competitions Convenor, Susan Blyth-Schofield, at competitions@ormta.org.

2025 PROVINCIAL INSTRUMENTAL COMPETITION RULES - LEVEL 10 & ASSOCIATE

ELIGIBILITY:

The following rules govern the ORMTA 2025 Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 10 and/or Associate and must be followed at all Levels (Branch, Zone and Provincial). NO LOCAL BRANCH OR ZONE MODIFICATIONS ARE PERMITTED. Failure to comply with these rules at any Level will result in disqualification. Competitors, teachers, parents, and guardians are therefore advised to read all information carefully. 

Competitors must be no older than 19 years of age as of December 31, 2024. 

Competitors must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents (landed immigrants). 

The competitors must be studying with an ORMTA teacher in good standing as of January 1, 2025. This teacher must be the competitor’s principal teacher for the performance discipline and must be a member in good standing at both the time of application and competition. 

In Branch Level Competitions (#1 in this graphic), competitors may compete in one (1) Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 10 and/or Associate in any of the Branches where their teacher is a member in good standing (primary or associate) as of January 1, 2025. If a teacher is a member of Branches in multiple Zones, their students may compete in (1) Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 10 and/or Associate in any Zone where that teacher is a member in good standing. Should a competitor win their Branch Level Competition, they must compete in the Zone Level Competition associated with that Branch. 

Branches in the same Zone may come together to host a single Branch Level Competition. They may either
   1)  Join resources and hold a single Branch Level competition, or
   2)  Share the financial responsibility for the rental of a venue and hold separate Branch Level Competitions at that venue. 
In either case Branches may each send a Competitor to the Zone Level Competitions.   

In Zone Level Competitions (#2 in this graphic), competitors must compete in the Zone associated with the Branch where they won their Branch Level Competition. 

Before being eligible to proceed to the Provincial Level Instrumental Competition, competitors must have participated in both Branch and Zone Level Competitions (the Ottawa Region is an exception here as it is both a Branch and a Zone) and obtained a First-Class Honours standing (80% or above) at both levels.

Each Zone may send one (1) competitor to the Provincial Level Instrumental - Level 10 and/or Associate Competition (#3 in this graphic). 

Competitors cannot enter both the Provincial Instrumental Competition (either Level) and the Provincial Young Artist Competition in the same discipline in the same year. With a new program, previous winners may re-enter the Provincial Instrumental Competition one additional time, not necessarily in consecutive years. 

Competitors are responsible for their own expenses (travel, accommodation, collaborative pianist, etc.).

There is no requirement for competitors to have taken Conservatory examinations. However, competitors who have taken Conservatory examinations must provide proof of their most recent results. Should any questions arise, competitors may be asked to provide further proof of their standing. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. 

PROGRAM:

Competitors must be studying at Level/Grade 10 and/or Associate to take part in the Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 10 and/or Associate. 

A list of Provincial Level Prizes and Awards is available under the Prizes tab on this page of the Provincial website. Please consider this when making repertoire choices for your program. 

All repertoire in the program must be at Conservatory Level/Grade 10 and/or Associate and must be taken from any officially recognized Canadian syllabus, details of which competitors will indicate on their application form. 

One selection from the RCM Popular Selection List (Level 10 only) or Conservatory Canada Contemporary Idioms Syllabus (Level 10 only) may be included in a competitor’s program. 

For this Competition (Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 10 and/or Associate), competitors who participate in examinations must not have passed the Associate practical examination with any conservatory as of March 31, 2025. Those who have passed their Associate practical examination with any conservatory may participate in the Provincial Young Artist Competition, provided they meet all requirements. Competitors who have passed their Level/Grade 10 practical examination with any conservatory as of March 31, 2025, must play Associate level repertoire only on their program. 

The program must contain a minimum of three contrasting pieces with a maximum time limit of 20 minutes of stage time. There is no minimum time limit. Stage time is defined as the time between the first note of the performance and when the final selection concludes. 

For classical-era sonatas, competitors may choose to play one or more movements of a sonata as one selection in their program. In keeping with the repertoire requirements outlined at the beginning of the program section above, the movement(s) they play must have a conservatory listing at Level 10 and/or Associate.

The stylistic balance of the program will be considered in the adjudication. Repertoire should be chosen carefully to reflect the experience and maturity of the competitor. 

The same repertoire selections must be performed at Branch, Zone, and Provincial Levels. Competitors may change their order of performance without penalty. Competitors wishing to change the order of their program must notify their Branch, Zone, and/or Provincial Competitions Convenor prior to the beginning of the Competition.

Competitors must perform all repertoire selections from memory. Competitors must provide legal music for the adjudicator. Tablets are permitted with proof of purchase of music or IMSLP, etc. Collaborative pianists must use legal music. The use of photocopied or scanned material is illegal and prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification from the competition. Music scores will be checked prior to the start of the Provincial Competition. 

An official timekeeper must sit near the adjudicator(s) during the competition. If the time limit is reached, the timekeeper will show the adjudicator(s) their timing device, continue timing and the competitor will be allowed to finish their entire program. The official timing of the competitor’s program will be recorded on the adjudication sheet. Any competitor who goes over the time limit will receive an adjudication only and will be disqualified from the Provincial Competition. Disqualified competitors will not be eligible for scholarships or prizes. 

Background tracks are not permitted; only live piano accompaniment is allowed. 

Competitors are not required or expected to introduce themselves or their pieces prior to performing.

Teachers and parents are permitted to be in their own student’s room during the warm-up, should the venue and schedule allow for warm-up time.

APPLICATIONS:

At all Levels, competitors, parents, and/or guardians will be required to indicate on their application form that they have read and understood the rules, and that they will abide by them. Please note that adjudicators’ decisions are final. 

BRANCH LEVEL COMPETITION:

Competitors MUST abide by the Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 10 and/or Associate rules as set out above. 

Competitors must use the Application Form for the Branch where they will be competing and abide by that Branch’s application and payment details and deadlines.

All Branch Level applications will be vetted by the Branch Level Competitions Convenors to ensure that all rules pertaining to the Zone Level Competition as laid out in this document are adhered to. Competitors submitting incomplete or inaccurate applications will be contacted by the Branch Level Competitions Convenor and offered an opportunity to correct their application forms. 

For further information regarding the Branch Level Competition, contact your Branch Level Competitions Convenor.

ZONE LEVEL COMPETITION:

Competitors MUST abide by the Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 10 and/or Associate rules as set out above. 
Competitors must use the Application Form for the Zone where they will be competing and abide by that Zone’s application and payment details and deadlines.

All Zone Level applications will be vetted by the Zone Level Competitions Convenors to ensure that all rules pertaining to Zone Level Competition as laid out in this document are adhered to. Competitors submitting incomplete or inaccurate applications will be contacted by the Zone Level Competitions Convenor and offered an opportunity to correct their application forms. 

For further information regarding the Zone Level Competition, contact your Zone Level Competitions Convenor.

PROVINCIAL LEVEL COMPETITION:

Competitors must abide by the Provincial Instrumental Competition - Level 10 and/or Associate rules as set out above. 

The Provincial Level Application Form (for winners of their respective Zone Level Instrumental Competitions - Level 10 and/or Associate) will be posted in the “Application Forms” tab on the Provincial Website on April 1, 2025. Applications close on May 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

The Application Form must be filled in online on or before the deadline of May 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time, as specified on the application form. Please note all applications are time stamped. Late Applications will not be accepted.

The Provincial Level Application Fee is $150. Online payment is required at the time of completing the online application. Application fees are non-refundable.

All Provincial Level applications will be vetted by the Provincial Competitions Convenor to ensure that all rules pertaining to all levels of Competition (Branch, Zone, and Provincial) as laid out in this document are adhered to. Competitors submitting incomplete or inaccurate applications will be contacted by the Provincial Competitions Convenor and offered an opportunity to correct their application forms. 

The Provincial Level Instrumental Competitions will be held at The Niagara Falls Public Library, 4848 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls, ON, L2E 4C5 on August 7, 2025.

For more information regarding the Provincial Level Competitions, please contact the ORMTA Provincial Competitions Convenor, Susan Blyth-Schofield, at competitions@ormta.org.