​Instrumental

Coordinator: Gordon Oxendale
250-251-1294
Email: [email protected]

2025 Adjudicator: Calvin Dyck

Click HERE for Adjudicator Biography

April 7, 2025

INSTRUMENTAL, BAND AND STRING CLASSES
 
GENERAL RULES:
Solo Classes:
  1. Solo performers may enter either one piece or a Concert Group consisting of 2 - 3 contrasting pieces. Please note that the entry fee applies to EACH piece in a Concert Group. A Concert Group must be played within the time limit.
  2. Solo: Different teachers use different teaching methods, so either specify years of study (1st year, 2nd year, etc.) or whether they are in a graded program with levels such as Beginner, Introductory, Grades 1– l0 and ARCT/ACC levels.
  3. Open classes are for performers who are not presently receiving instruction in their instrument. These classes include performers of all ages. Please specify on the form how long you have been playing.
  1. In the case of performers who studied another instrument in the same instrument family, this previous experience should be taken into account when determining the grade level or year of study. If you are unsure about an appropriate grade level, please contact the coordinator.
Ensemble Classes (Including Duets):
  1. Ensemble classes must enter at the highest grade level in the group. In Ensemble classes, performers may play above their grade level. This does not affect grade levels in their Solo Classes.
  2. Please specify the name, instrument and grade level for each performer on the entry form.
  1. Ensemble class (not duets) consists of 3 - 8 performers. Selections must include at least two different voices. Ensemble instruments must be acoustic instruments. All other groups should enter as a Band.
Band Classes:
  1. Names of band members are not necessary on the entry form. Please state the name of your band, director’s name, and school (if applicable).
  2. For mixed and rock bands, please list all of your instruments.
  3. Bands are expected to bring an adequate number of chaperones.
  1. Warm-up rooms are provided before  each  class  of performances. Once a class begins, all performers are expected to be in the performance room.
All Classes:
  1. An original score must be provided; photocopies are not permitted except with the written permission of the copyright holder. (See competition Procedures and Rules, page 6)
  2. An accompanist is permitted in all classes. If a teacher plays equally with a student, the performance will be for adjudication only.
  3. Memorization is not mandatory, but could be a deciding factor when determining a final score.
  4. Electric or electronic instruments are permitted in Band classes, or Other Instrument classes. Performers are expected to provide their own amplifiers, etc. One extension cord will be provided.
  5. Time limits:
    • Solos and duets to grade 4: 5 minutes
    • Concert Group to Grade 4 (solos and duets): 8 minutes
    • Solos and duets Grade 5 and up:10 minutes
    • Concert Group Grade 5 and up (solos and duets):20 minutes
    • Ensembles:15 minutes
    • Bands:  20 minutes
    • These limits include warm-up times. (Bands may warm up for 7 minutes in their seats. This time is included in the time limit.) Repeats may be omitted to accommodate the time limits.
  6. Provincial Festival of Performing Arts BC: The adjudicator may recommend performers for the Provincials. Please contact the coordinator for the Provincial Festival rules.
  7. Non-competitive and Own Composition: Please see below.

SOLOS
All solo classes will be subdivided by
  • Years of study or grade level of the performer
  • Musical period (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.)
  • Solo piece (1 selection) or Concert Group (2 - 3 contrasting selections)

​Up to Grade 7 - $10.00 per selection, Grade 8 and over - $13.00

WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS
Woodwinds include all reed instruments (families of Saxophones and Clarinets), all double reed instruments (Bassoon, English Horn, Oboe), all instruments of the Flute family and Recorder family.
            I  1                   Woodwinds Solo
            I  40                 Open Woodwinds Solo

BRASS INSTRUMENTS
Brass includes Trumpet, Flügelhorn, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Sousaphone, etc.
            I  50                 Brass Solo
            I  70                 Open Brass Solo

PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
Instruments include Drum Set, Triangle, Glockenspiel, etc.
            I  80                 Percussion Solo
            I  90                 Open Percussion Solo

OTHER INSTRUMENTS
            I  95                 Other Instrument Solo

STRING INSTRUMENTS
Strings include Violin, Fiddle, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Sitar, Harp, etc.
            ST  1                Strings Solo - Baroque
            ST  5                Strings Solo - Classical
            ST  10              Strings Solo - Romantic
            ST  20              Strings Solo - Contemporary/Canadian
            ST  25              Strings Solo - Traditional/Ethnic/Sacred
            ST  30              Strings Solo - Other genres
            ST  50              Open Strings Solo - Other genres
            ST  60              Open Strings Solo - Baroque
            ST  65              Open Strings Solo - Classical
            ST  70              Open Strings Solo - Romantic
            ST  75              Open Strings Solo - Contemporary/Canadian
            ST  80              Open Strings Solo - Traditional/Ethnic/Sacred
            ST  85              Open Strings Solo - Concert Group
            ST  90              Strings Solo Concerto (accompanist must be supplied by the performer) ($19.00)

DUETS AND ENSEMBLES
All classes will be subdivided as with solo classes.

DUETS      ($13.00 One selection)

Woodwinds Duets
            I  100               Woodwinds Duet
            I  125               Open Woodwinds Duet

Brass Duets
            I  130               Brass Duet
            I  140               Open Brass Duet

Percussion Duets
            I  145               Percussion Duet

Other Instrument Duets
            I  148               Other Instrument Duet

Strings Duets
            ST  100 Strings Duet
            ST  120 Open Strings Duet

Mixed duets
Each performer plays an instrument of a different family.
            I  150               Mixed Duet
            I  160               Open Mixed Duet

ENSEMBLES    ($19.00 One Selection/ $31.00 Concert Group)

Woodwinds Ensembles
            I  170               Woodwinds Ensemble
            I  180               Open Woodwinds Ensemble

Brass Ensembles
            I  185               Brass Ensemble
            I  195               Open Brass Ensemble

Strings Ensembles
            ST  125 Strings Ensemble
            ST  135 Open Strings Ensemble

Percussion Ensembles
            I  200               Percussion Ensemble

Other Instruments Ensembles
            I  205               Other Instrument Ensemble
            I  250               Collaborative Mutually Interpretive Drum and Piano Duets
                                    As this is an “on demand” composition style the adjudicator  will receive descriptions of both the drummer’s and pianist’s                                      intents during the performance.

Mixed Ensembles
            I  210               Mixed Ensemble
            I  220               Open Mixed Ensemble

BANDS          ($38.00 plus $10.00 optional recording fee) 2 - 3 selections

Bands under 20 players:
            I  225               Elementary Small Band
            I  226               Junior Secondary Small Band
            I  227               Senior Secondary Small Band
            I  228               Small Stage or Jazz Band
            I  230               Small Concert Band
            I  232               Small Woodwinds, Brass, or Strings Band
            I  235               Small Mixed Band
            I  236               Rock Band
            I  238               Small Classroom Group (Classroom instruments could be ukuleles, recorders, bells, etc.)
​
Bands with 20 or more players
            I  240               Elementary Large Band
            I  241               Junior Secondary Large Band
            I  242               Senior Secondary Large Band
            I  243               Jazz Big Band or Large Stage Band
            I  245               Large Concert Band or Orchestra
            I  247               Woodwinds, Brass, or Strings Large Band
            I  250               Mixed Large Band
            I  251               Experimental Large Band
            I  252               Large Classroom Group

​
OWN COMPOSITION       ($10.00)
This is a category open to any individual discipline or any combination to be adjudicated for both performance and content. The composition will be performed (or directed) by the composer, and a copy (written by the composer) must be provided for the adjudicator. Entries in this section will be accepted from teachers and others who would normally be unable to enter the Festival for professional reasons. Age, years of study and/or experience should be noted on the entry form.

OC  I                 Own Composition, Instrumental
OC  P               Own Composition, Piano
OC  V               Own Composition, Voice
OC  SA             Own Composition, Speech Arts

NON-COMPETITIVE CLASSES:
This is a category open to any class in this syllabus. If you wish to perform in the Festival for adjudication only, and not on a competitive basis for marks and awards, please use this class. Take the class number of your choice and at the end add NC, e.g.. P42-NC or V 24-NC. If you have any queries regarding this, contact the discipline coordinator.