Combining the previous Brass & Woodwind and Strings & Guitar disciplines, new and revised syllabus rules and classes for 2025 are highlighted in yellowTurn on [Print Background Colors and Images] in Page Setup to print highlighted text.

Instrumental Syllabus

Class Certificates

A Gold, Silver or Bronze certificate is issued to all participants of each competitive class.

• Gold: 85 and above
• Silver: 80 to 84
• Bronze: 79 and under

The Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates do not indicate a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place standing in a class. Each colour represents a level of performance achievement.

There will be no set number of Gold, Silver, or Bronze certificates allotted for each class.

Marks will neither be announced nor written on the adjudication sheets. They will be kept private by the adjudicator’s secretary and adjudicator on a tabulation sheet that will, in turn, be submitted to the Mid Island Performing Arts Festival Bursary Committee. A few days after the end of each section, teachers will receive their students’ marks from the section chair.

Rules

1. Please read the General Rules and Regulations governing the Mid Island Performing Arts Festival, as well as the Provincial competition requirements, before completing the entry form.
2. It is the responsibility of the student and teacher to select the correct grade level, class, and piece. The Royal Conservatory of Music syllabus and/or the Conservatory Canada syllabus are recommended guides. The Committee trusts in the integrity of students to enter at the grade level at which they are working.
3. If students are taking Toronto Conservatory Examinations (or equivalent), the following rules apply:
   1. A student who has passed an examination before entering the festival must enter at a higher grade level
   2. A student planning to take a winter examination may enter at the same level in the festival
4. Time limits must be observed, or the performer may be disqualified.
   The maximum time of a performance will be the total time on stage after the first tuning. Introductions, breaks between pieces, additional tuning, applause and any required costume additions will be included in this time. The clock will start when a performer starts to introduce their first piece and stop when they leave after their final piece. Please time your repertoire appropriately so you do not exceed the time indicated for each class.
   PLEASE NOTE that this rule follows the TOTAL TIME regulation in the Provincial syllabus.
5. To be considered for a bursary, a competitor must enter at least two solo classes. Jazz/Pop and Adult classes are ineligible for bursaries.
6. A piano is provided to accompany pieces having piano or orchestral accompaniment. Exceptions can be made in Fiddle, Jazz/Pop and Adult classes which may, if preferred, be accompanied by a guitar or similar instrument. Performers must provide their own accompanists. Jazz/Pop performances may be accompanied by recordings. Playback equipment will NOT be provided; performers must supply all necessary extension cords, cables, and adaptors.
7. Bar numbers are required along the left side of the adjudicator’s music.
8. Original music is to be submitted to the adjudicator’s secretary before the start of the class.
   1. Label with name, class, number, and page
   2. Bar numbers must be marked at the beginning of each line
   3. Accompanists must use original music (not copies)
   4. A second original is required if the music is not memorized
   5. If original scores are unavailable, photocopies may be used only with written permission from the copyright owner
   6. Internet copies require a valid receipt.
   7. Exceptions can be made in Folk Fiddle classes and for genuine folk selections where necessary. The Festival recognizes that folk music is an oral tradition and many tunes are never written down. Where written music is available, please provide it as above.
   8. All music must be reclaimed following adjudication; the Festival Committee accepts no responsibility for unclaimed music.
9. Performers are expected to introduce themselves and their selections from the stage.
10. The adjudicator may choose exceptional students to represent the Mid Island Performing Arts Musical Festival in the Performing Arts BC Provincial Festival.  Please read General Rule 1a through 1e, and also read the list of Provincial classes at bcprovincials.com.

Definitions and Specifications:

11. Brass: includes trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba and similar instruments
12. Chamber Group: 3 to 9 players each having their own part, as per Provincial festival rules, performing one selection of Chamber Music
13. Classical Guitar: acoustic guitar playing classical music
14. Concerto Class: minimum of two movements from 9 years old and up
15. Concert Group: own selection of two or three pieces from contrasting eras
16. Ensemble: any Duet, Trio, Quartet (etc.), Orchestra, Band, Fiddle Group, Mixed Ensemble, or any combination of instrumental performers
17. Fiddle: bowed-string instrument (usually violin) used to play traditional folk music
18. Preliminary Level: students who have not yet reached Grade 1 level.  Entrants in this class must not play pieces from Grade 1. Jazz/Pop and Adult entries may enter with any piece.
19. Sight Reading
    1. In Grades 3 through 7, the Sight Reading test selections will conform to the guidelines set out in the Royal Conservatory of Music syllabus
    2. In Grades 8 and up, the material may be less predictable
20. Sonata Class: minimum of two movements from 9 years old and up
21. Strings: classical bowed-string instruments such as violin, viola, cello and double bass
22. Woodwinds:  includes recorders, flutes, and other wind instruments with single or double reeds

Chamber Group

Performers must identify themselves with a descriptive or creative Name of Group appropriate for public announcement.

Ensemble

Performers must identify themselves with a descriptive or creative Name of Group appropriate for public announcement.

Woodwind Solo

Brass Solo

Percussion Solo

String Solo

Concertos, Sonatas, Concert Groups

Classical Guitar Solo

Fiddle Solo

Additional classes may be added upon request if the Committee feels they are warranted.