Q: What does a typical festival day look like?
A: Our day starts at 9:30am on most weekdays and at 10:00am on Saturday and 12:00 noon on Sunday. We aim to finish by 6:00pm on weekdays and by 8:00pm on weekends.
Q: What happens on the day of the festival?
A: The Ottawa Piano Festival offers a unique experience for students to perform a mini-recital in a concert environment, and to receive written feedback from several highly trained pianists. Each class is divided into approximately one hour recitals. Each student is invited on stage to perform the pieces, and to listen to the other students in their same level and group. When students and their families arrive at the venue, they are welcomed by an assistant at the registration desk. Students will check in and provide the assistant with the music scores in the order they will be performed. Please make sure to bring the proper amount of copies for the adjudicators. At the end of class, every student receives a graded certificate with standing (gold/silver/bronze/merit) and adjudication reports. Outstanding participants will have the chance to benefit further with awards and nominations to the provincial festival, based on the adjudicators’ recommendations.
Q: Do I need to stay for all groups in my class?
A: No, you can stay and listen as many classes as you like. In fact, we would love for you to stay and support the other festival’s participants, at your convenience.
Q: How much is the admission ticket?
A: There is no admission, the festival is free event.
Q: Is the parking at the festival location free?
A: Yes, it is.
Q: Can my child miss a school in order to participate at the Ottawa Piano Festival?
A: Yes, it is regulated by the Ontario Education Act, Chapter E2, Part 11, Statute 21.2 (e): School attendance may be excused when the child is absent from school for the purpose of receiving instruction in music and the period of absence does not exceed one-half day in any week.
Q: Would the Ottawa Piano Festival provide adjustable piano bench and/or pedal extender?
A: The festival will provide both. If you need the organizer to set up the pedal extender for your child/student, please let the secretary know at the beginning of class. However, if you prefer to bring your own pedal extender, you are welcome to do so.
Q: I’ve completed my registration. When will I find out about my class schedule?
A: Festival participants and their teachers will be notified by email when their class schedules are available, and the schedule will be posted on the website. Until then, you can check the tentative schedule of classes found on the home page.
Q: Can I warm up or practice before my scheduled performance, at the festival location?
A: OPF is not able to provide practice facilities, nor rehearsal rooms for students and accompanists. No rehearsals are permitted in the venue halls during the festival.
Q: Is Gala recital open to everyone to attend?
A: Yes, it is. Only the performers are by invitation.
Q: Do I have to bring copies of my music to my class even it is memorized?
A: In accordance with the Canadian Copyright Act participants must provide the adjudicator with a legally purchased copy of the music for all selections, even when the piece is being performed by memory. A purchase receipt must be presented for digital copies. Music that is in the public domain, and therefore available to be downloaded for free, must have the IMSLP listing attached (visit imslp.org to print a screen shot). Participants who bring photocopied music without the original score or proof of purchase will be disqualified from being considered for an award.
Q: If a student wanted to play their selections in a different order than what is listed on the current program is that possible?
A: Yes, it is. At the check-in, a student needs to inform the volunteer at the check-in desk and hand in the music in the order s/he wants to perform.
Q: Does a student need to announce his/her pieces?
A: No, that is not needed.