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Rules

General Rules and Eligibility

  1. The Ottawa Piano Festival is open to all students residing in the Ottawa/Gatineau area up to the age of 18. Exceptions: Family Duet (child under 18 with parent). If registering for an age-based class (i.e. duet or concerto class), participants must not be older than the age category in which they register as of December 31, 2025.

  2. Participants may not register in two different age or grade categories. For example, a student participating in a Grade 7 piano class may not also participate in a Grade 6 class.

  3. Once a participant has entered one grade, he/she may not enter a lower grade in future years. Should a student decide to participate in a class at a level lower than his/her most recent exam level or lower than the current piano level, he/she will only receive comments for his/her participation.

  4. Ottawa Piano Festival reserves the right to place a student according to submitted information and participant’s level entered in the past festival years.

  5. IMPORTANT : For the duration of the festival, participants, their families, and members of the public may not contact or speak with the adjudicators. This includes introduction of a piece to be performed or questions and/or comments directed to adjudicators. Any participant who fails to comply with this rule won’t be eligible for scholarships nor awards.

  6. In case of Covid-19 or alike pandemics, the Ottawa Piano Festival reserves the right to switch to virtual format.

  7. Requests for further clarification of these rules may be made in writing to the Ottawa Piano Festival.

Repertoire Guidelines

  1. Participants are expected to play a minimum of two contrasting pieces and a maximum of three contrasting pieces in each solo class. Exceptions: one or two pieces are allowed in Duets, Family Duets and Miscellaneous classes, and participants in Concerto classes are expected to play one selection only. Sonata/Sonatina or Suite movements are considered 1 selection. Contrasting pieces ensure that the pieces are in different time periods, styles, tempi and composers. It is always safer to choose pieces from the different RCM or CC time periods (i.e. choose two pieces from different time periods and/or styles).

  2. One piece from the next level higher is permitted in solo classes.

  3. Once a piece has been performed in the festival, it may not be performed in a subsequent year.

  4. The level of graded classes should correspond to the levels of the Royal Conservatory of Music Toronto, Conservatory Canada or any other officially recognized Canadian syllabus. Chosen repertoire does not have to be from a syllabus, but has to be of the approximate difficulty of the chosen grade.

  5. NEW: Pieces not on a conservatory list should get approval BEFORE registration, no later than December 8, 2025 for Prep-Grade 5 solo classes and no later than January 25, 2026 for Grade 6-Diploma classes.

  6. Repeats are optional, but not required, as long as they fit within the time limits.

  7. IMPORTANT: No repertoire changes or substitutions will be allowed after the registration has been submitted to the festival. New pieces cannot be added to the already submitted repertoire. However, we will allow deletion of any of the registered piece(s) after the deadline, provided that the number of submitted pieces is in accordance with the repertoire guidelines and that the request is coordinated with the festival administration by email.

  8. IMPORTANT: Participants should follow the time limits, indicated under Classes. Total performance times include applause and pauses, and will be strictly enforced. The adjudicators reserve the right to stop a performance if the pianist exceeds the allotted class time and may not evaluate the exceeded performance time. Any participant who fails to comply with this rule won’t be eligible for standings (gold/silver/bronze/merit), nor awards.

  9. IMPORTANT: Participants are not allowed to perform pieces/movements that are not listed in their registration form or/and in the festival’s website program. The festival and/or adjudicators reserve the right to stop the performance. Adjudicators may not evaluate any substituted piece(s). A violation to this rule may result in participants not being eligible for scholarships nor standings, and will only receive comments from adjudicators.

  10. Memorization is encouraged, and is mandatory for any student wishing to be considered for a scholarship or other prize. Exceptions: Duets, Family Duets and Miscellaneous.

  11. Concertos must be performed with piano accompaniment. Any movement(s) may be performed as long as it is within the time limits. Performers are responsible for providing their own accompanist.

  12. Simplified versions of any piece at any grade are not allowed – original version only. Exceptions: Duets, Family Duets and Miscellaneous. 

Copies of Scores for Adjudicators

  1. We ask that each participant brings to the festival check-in desk a total of 3 copies of each piece for Preparatory, Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and a total of 2 copies for Grades 7, 8, 9, 10, Diploma, Duets, Concertos and Miscellaneous. In all classes at least 1 of those must be an original score. A score will be considered original when a copyrighted book is presented, or a downloaded and printed piece is presented with the purchase receipt. 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). Scores and copies should be presented to the front desk at check-in.

  2. Please note that in absence of an original copy the student will not be considered for scholarships nor awards.

  3. Simplified versions of any piece at any grade are not allowed – original version only. Exceptions: Duets, Family Duets and  Miscellaneous. 

Provincial Festival Finals

  1. Participants may be recommended to advance to the Provincial Festival Finals, which is available to all classes with the exception of Preparatory and Family Duets. Students must be prepared to meet the criteria of the Ontario Music Festival Association. Decisions of the adjudicators regarding provincial recommendations are final.

  2. The Provincial Festival Finals for Grades 6-Diploma will be held in the Kitchener-Waterloo region from June 8-13, 2026.  Virtual finals are for Grades 1-5, Duets, Concertos and Miscellaneous. Participants in virtual finals will be responsible for submitting their videos. All participants are responsible for covering all fees and for abiding by all OMFA rules.

Evaluation and Results

  1. As a community festival run by volunteers, we encourage teachers of participating students to be involved in the adjudication process for a minimum of two and a maximum of four classes. This year we invite them to adjudicate Preparatory to Grade 5, possibly 6, Duets, Family Duets and Miscellaneous. Each class (except Grade 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Diploma, and Concerto) will be evaluated by three adjudicators (participating teachers) whenever possible. All other classes will be adjudicated by two invited adjudicators. Please note that teachers have other volunteer opportunities available to be performed at the festival (info desk, music collection, etc.). 

  2. Adjudicators will not evaluate their own students or family members.

  3. Decisions of the jury are final. No appeals or reviews will be accepted.

  4. The Ottawa Piano Festival awards Gold/Silver/Bronze/Merit standings to our participants. We don’t hand out 1st/2nd/3rd places. Each certificate represents a level of quality, and so several students can receive a Gold, and the same with other standings.

  5. Participants will be issued comment sheets and certificates at the end of the class.

  6. Marks are not given to participants in order to discourage an unnecessarily competitive atmosphere. They are kept by the OPF administration in order to give out medals and scholarships.

  7. Comments only option: the participant will be considered non-competitive, which means s/he will receive a full adjudication and participation certificate, but will not be eligible for a scholarship nor receive a placement (gold/silver/bronze). If you prefer this option, please contact us to let us know. 

Scholarships, Awards and Medals

  1. Outstanding performers will be considered for scholarships, awards and medals. Participants must receive a minimum standing of silver in order to qualify for a scholarship. Participants must receive a minimum standing of gold to receive a medal. These are determined by marks given by the adjudicators, and kept by the festival administration. The number of scholarships awarded will be based on available funds.

  2. The Promising Student Award is designed for students in Grade 3 to 8 who demonstrate something special in their playing which deserves encouragement.

  3. Medals are awarded to the student(s) with the highest mark in each class, within the gold standing. Medals will be distributed at the Gala.

  4. Scholarships will be given out at the Gala.

Special Awards

  1. Best performers of the J.S.Bach pieces on junior, intermediate and senior level will be invited to participate at the student RCCO recital, organized by the Royal Canadian College of Organists Ottawa Centre - TBC. 

  2. Concerto Classes – One participant will be chosen to perform with the Divertimento Orchestra in November 2026 concert. This will be done based on adjudicators’ recommendations. Eligible concerto movements must be between 8 and 15 minutes long (including all tutti parts and cadenza, if there is one). Some concertos to be considered are those composed by J.S. Bach, F.J. Haydn, W.A. Mozart.

Photos/Videos

  1. The Ottawa Piano Festival will ask permission at the time of registration to use any photos/videos of participants for the festival website, its media and for publicity purposes. 

  2. Participating families are allowed to take photos/videos of their own children, and are not allowed to take photos/videos of other participants nor adjudicators without their permission.

Cancellations and Refunds

  1. The Ottawa Piano Festival will not provide refunds after the registration deadline, which are December 15, 2025 for Preparatory to Grade 5 solo classes, and February 1, 2026 for Grade 6 to Diploma solo classes, Duets, Family Duets, Miscellaneous and Concerto classes.