The ORMTA Provincial Instrumental Competitions are a three-tiered competition that begins at the Branch Level, progresses to the Zone Level, and culminates in the Provincial Level. Winners at the Branch Level (one per Branch per category) advance to Zone Level Competitions, and Zone Level winners (one per Zone per category) advance to Provincial Level Competitions.
The Adjudicator’s Signature Form, which must be filled out at Branch and Zone Level Competitions can be found here or in the "Application Forms" tab.
PROVINCIAL INSTRUMENTAL COMPETITION RULES - LEVEL 8 & 9
ELIGIBILITY
The following rules govern the ORMTA 2024 Provincial Instrumental Competitions and must be followed at all levels (Branch, Zone and Provincial) in order for competitors to move to the next level of competition. Failure to comply with these rules will result in disqualification at the Provincial Level Competitions.
Competitors, teachers and guardians are therefore advised to read all information carefully. Competitors must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents (landed immigrants).
The competitors must be studying with an Active or Affiliate ORMTA teacher as of
January 1, 2024. This teacher must be the competitor’s principal teacher for the performance discipline and must be a member in good standing at the time of application and competition.
In Branch Level Competitions (#1 in
this graphic), competitors must compete in their teacher’s primary Branch. If a member's primary Branch is not hosting a Branch Competition, a member's student can enter in ONE other Associate Branch Competition. (Member must be an Associate Member as of January 1, 2024.)
In Zone Level Competitions (#2 in
this graphic), competitors must compete in their teacher’s primary Zone.
Before being eligible to proceed to the Provincial Level Instrumental Competition, competitors must have participated in both Branch and Zone Level Competitions and obtained a First-Class Honours standing (80% or above) at both levels.
Each Zone may send ONE competitor per category (one competitor for the Level 8 and 9 competition, and one competitor for the Level 10 and Associate competition) to the Provincial Instrumental Competition (#3 in
this graphic).
Competitors cannot enter both the Provincial Instrumental Competition 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.
The maximum age for competitors is 19 years old as of December 31, 2023.
Competitors are responsible for their own expenses (travel, accommodation, collaborative pianist, etc.).
Branch Competition Convenors must provide the Zone Competitions Convenor with information about the winners from their Branch. The
Adjudicator's Signature Form is required to go to the Zone Competition and must be filled out entirely and submitted to the Zone Convenor.
Zone Competitions Convenors must provide the Provincial Performance Competitions Convenor with information about the winners from their Zone. The
Adjudicator's Signature Form from the Zone Competition must be filled out entirely and uploaded to the online Provincial Competition Entry form.
Students must be studying in the grade level to which they are applying. If they participate in examinations, this means they must not have passed that practical level as of March 31 of the competition year.
Program
The program must be at a level of difficulty equal to Level/Grade 8 and/or 9. The program must be taken from any officially recognized Canadian syllabus, which competitors will indicate on the application form.
One selection from the RCM Popular Selection List or Conservatory Canada Contemporary Idioms Syllabus may be included in a competitor’s 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 student. When choosing repertoire, please see Instrumental awards opportunities in the Prizes tab on this page.
The program must contain a minimum of three contrasting pieces with a maximum time limit of 15 minutes of stage time, with no minimum time limit. Stage time is defined as the time between the first note of the performance and when the final selection concludes. An official timekeeper is required and 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.
Repertoire selections must be listed on the Adjudicator's Signature Form, and must be performed at Branch, Zone, and Provincial Levels. If the competitor wishes to change the order of performance, they will not be disqualified. The MC should be notified, and will announce the program change prior to the competitor's performance.
Competitors must perform all repertoire selections from memory. Competitors must provide legal music for the adjudicator. Tablets are permitted with a 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.
Background tracks are not permitted; only live piano accompaniment.
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
Branch Level Competitions
Competitors must use the Application Form for the Branch where they will be competing. They must also abide by the Branch’s rules and deadlines and pay its application fee.
Branch Level Competition Convenors must ensure that the adjudicator(s) sign the
Adjudicator's Signature Form where indicated.
A signed Adjudicator’s Signature Form is required for the Zone and Provincial Level Competition. It is the responsibility of the Branch Level Competition Convenor to ensure the form is completed and given to the Zone Competition Convenor. For further information regarding the branch competition, contact your Branch Competition Convenor.
Zone Level Competitions
Along with the required form filled out from Branch Level Competitions, Competitors must use the Application Form for the Zone where they will be competing. They must also abide by the Zone’s rules and deadlines and pay its application fee.
Zone Level Competition Convenors must ensure that the adjudicator(s) sign the
Adjudicator's Signature Form where indicated.
A signed Adjudicator’s Signature Form is required for the Provincial Level Competition. It is the responsibility of the Zone Level Competition Convenor to ensure the form is completed and uploaded along with the online Provincial Competition application form. For further information regarding the zone competition, contact your Zone Competition Convenor.
Provincial Level Competitions
The Provincial Level Application Form (for winners of their respective Zone Competitions) will be posted on this page in the "Application Forms" tab on April 1, 2024 and closes May 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
The Application Form must be filled in online on or before the deadline
May 31, 2024, at
11:59 PM Eastern Time, as specified on the application form. Please note all applications are time stamped. Late Applications are not accepted.
The Provincial Level Application Fee is $150. Online payment is required at the time of completing the online application.
The Provincial Competitions will take place at The University of Ottawa.
For more information regarding the Provincial Level Competitions, please contact the ORMTA Provincial
Competitions Convenor.
The ORMTA Provincial Instrumental Competitions are a three-tiered competition that begins at the Branch Level, progresses to the Zone Level, and culminates in the Provincial Level. Winners at the Branch Level (one per Branch per category) advance to Zone Level Competitions, and Zone Level winners (one per Zone per category) advance to Provincial Level Competitions.
The Adjudicator’s Signature Form, which must be filled out at both the Branch and Zone Level Competitions can be found here or in the "Application Forms" tab.
2024 PROVINCIAL INSTRUMENTAL COMPETITION RULES - LEVEL 10 & ASSOCIATE
ELIGIBILITY
The following rules govern the ORMTA 2024 Provincial Instrumental Competitions and must be followed at all levels (Branch, Zone and Provincial) in order for competitors to move to the next level of competition. Failure to comply with these rules will result in disqualification at the Provincial Level Competitions. Competitors, teachers and guardians are therefore advised to read all information carefully.
Competitors must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents (landed immigrants).
The competitors must be studying with an Active or Affiliate ORMTA teacher as of January 1, 2024. This teacher must be the competitor’s principal teacher for the performance discipline and must be a member in good standing at the time of application and competition.
In Branch Level Competitions (#1 in this graphic), competitors must compete in their teacher’s primary Branch. If a member's primary Branch is not hosting a Branch Competition, a member's student can enter in ONE other Associate Branch Competition. (Member must be an Associate Member as of January 1, 2024.)
In Zone Level Competitions (#2 in this graphic), competitors must compete in their teacher’s primary Zone.
Before being eligible to proceed to the Provincial Level Instrumental Competition, competitors must have participated in both Branch and Zone Level Competitions and obtained a First-Class Honours standing (80% or above) at both levels.
Each Zone may send ONE competitor per category (one competitor for the Level 8 and 9 competition, and one competitor for the Level 10 and Associate competition) to the Provincial Instrumental Competition (#3 in this graphic).
Competitors cannot enter both the Provincial Instrumental Competition and the Provincial Young Artist Competition in the same discipline in the same year. With a new program, previous winners may re-enter the same level of Provincial Instrumental Competition one additional time, not necessarily in consecutive years.
The maximum age for competitors is 19 years old as of December 31, 2023.
Competitors are responsible for their own expenses (travel, accommodation, collaborative pianist, etc.).
Branch Competition Convenors must provide the Zone Competitions Convenor with information about the winners from their Branch. The Adjudicator's Signature Form is required to go to the Zone Competition and must be filled out entirely and submitted to the Zone Convenor.
Zone Competitions Convenors must provide the Provincial Performance Competitions Convenor with information about the winners from their Zone. The Adjudicator's Signature Form from the Zone Competition must be filled out entirely and uploaded to the online Provincial Competition Entry form.
Students must be studying in the grade level to which they are applying. If they participate in examinations, this means they must not have passed that practical level as of March 31 of the competition year.
Program
The program must be at a level of difficulty equal to Level/Grade 10 and/or Associate. The program must be taken from any officially recognized Canadian syllabus, which competitors will indicate on the application form. Competitors in this category can choose to play one or more movements of a classical-era sonata as one selection in their program.
One selection from the RCM Popular Selection List or Conservatory Canada Contemporary Idioms Syllabus may be included in a competitor’s 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 student. When choosing repertoire, please see Instrumental awards opportunities in the Prizes tab on this page.
The program must contain a minimum of three contrasting pieces with a maximum time limit of 20 minutes of stage time, with no minimum time limit. Stage time is defined as the time between the first note of the performance and when the final selection concludes. An official timekeeper is required and 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 any scholarships or prizes.
Repertoire selections must be listed on the Adjudicator's Signature Form and must be performed at Branch, Zone, and Provincial Levels. If the competitor wishes to change the order of performance, they will not be disqualified. The MC should be notified and will announce the program change prior to the competitor’s performance.
Competitors must perform all repertoire selections from memory. Competitors must provide legal music for the adjudicator. Tablets are permitted with a 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.
Background tracks are not permitted; only live piano accompaniment.
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
Branch Level Competitions
Competitors must use the Application Form for the Branch where they will be competing. They must also abide by the Branch’s rules and deadlines and pay its application fee.
Branch Level Competition Convenors must ensure that the adjudicator(s) sign the Adjudicator's Signature Form where indicated.
A signed Adjudicator’s Signature Form is required for the Zone and Provincial Level Competition. It is the responsibility of the Branch Level Competition Convenor to ensure the form is completed and given to the Zone Competition Convenor. For further information regarding the Branch competition, contact your Branch Competition Convenor.
Zone Level Competitions
Along with the required form filled out from Branch Level Competitions, competitors must use the Application Form for the Zone where they will be competing. They must also abide by the Zone’s rules and deadlines and pay its application fee.
Zone Level Competition Conveners must ensure that the adjudicator(s) sign the Adjudicator's Signature Form where indicated.
A signed Adjudicator's Signature Form is required for the Provincial Level Competition. It is the responsibility of the Zone Level Competition Convenor to ensure the form is completed and uploaded along with the online Provincial Competition application form. For further information regarding the Zone Competition, contact your Zone Competition Convenor.
Provincial Level Competitions
The Provincial Level Application Form (for winners of their respective Zone Competitions) will be posted on this page in the "Application Forms" tab on April 1, 2024 and closes May 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
The Application Form must be filled in online on or before the deadline of May 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, as specified on the application form. Please note all applications are time stamped. Late Applications are not accepted.
The Provincial Level Application Fee is $150. Online payment is required at the time of completing the online application.
The Provincial Competitions will take place at The University of Ottawa.
For more information regarding the Provincial Level Competitions, please contact the ORMTA Provincial Competitions Convenor.