2026 Syllabus - Piano

Any Baroque or Classical piece from the current RCM or CC syllabus.

Any Baroque piece from the current RCM or CC syllabus. NOTE:  For grade/level 7 and higher: Bach Two-Part Inventions, Three-Part Inventions (Sinfonias) and
Preludes and Fugues MUST be entered in the Bach class (see classes 10301 - 10306).

Any Classical piece from the current RCM or CC syllabus. Multi-movement sonatinas and sonatas are to be performed as listed in the RCM or CC syllabus for that grade/level. Be sure to list which movement(s) are being performed.

Any Romantic, Post-Romantic, or early 20th-century piece (composed before 1950) from the current RCM or CC syllabus may be performed.

Note: Canadian works must be entered in the Canadian Piano Solos class (see classes 10901–10914). Only if performing more than one Canadian solo, may one be entered in this class.

Any Romantic piece from the current RCM or CC syllabus.

Any Post-Romantic or Early 20th Century piece (composed between 1875 and 1950) from the current RCM or CC syllabus.

Note: Canadian works must be entered in the Canadian Piano Solos class (see classes 10901–10914). Only if performing more than one Canadian solo, may one be entered in this class.

Any late 20th Century (composed after 1950) or 21st Century piece from the current RCM or CC syllabus.

NOTE:  Canadian works must be entered in the Canadian Piano Solos class (see classes 10901 - 10914). Only if playing more than one Canadian solo, may one be entered in this class.

Any piece by a Canadian composer may be performed, in any style—including jazz or pop. The selection may, but does not have to, appear in the current RCM or CC syllabus. Commissioned works are permitted. The chosen piece should be appropriate for the performer’s grade or level.

Any Étude or Study from the current RCM or CC syllabus. Memorization is not mandatory.
No pop from the RCM popular selections substitutions list is permitted. Pop is to be entered in Popular Selections class (see classes 11101 - 11114).

Participants in this class may be recommended to advance to the provincial level of competition. Beginner and Primary Levels would be virtual (online) only.

One selection, own choice.

Popular piano pieces may come from a wide range of genres, including pop, pop/folk, R&B, soul, rock, alternative, indie, jazz, or country. Please note that most pieces included in the RCM Popular Piano series are cover versions of well-known songs, and are therefore acceptable.

Not Permitted
• Rap and Hip Hop
• Pieces listed in the RCM or CC Classical Syllabi

Participants are to perform theme music from a movie or video game.

NOTE: This is not a Provincial Qualifier Class. (For Provincial Qualifier Classes, see 12201–10, 12301, and 12401.)

Participants must perform two solo works of equal difficulty that demonstrate stylistic contrast.

• Pop music is not permitted.

• Selections may, but are not required to, be from the RCM or CC syllabus.

• Appropriateness of repertoire will factor into the overall evaluation.

• All selections, including études/studies, must be memorized.

• Performances should be presented in a concert-style format (ie no need to wait for the adjudicator between selections).

Participants in this class may be selected to advance to the provincial competition. All provincial classes for this category are virtual (online) only.

Competitors may choose to perform one or two consecutive movements from a concerto of their choice.

Participants must register at their current level.

Please check out our new category:  Sinfonia Ancaster Performance Opportunity.

One selection, own choice. These classes are for students not yet at grade/level 1.
Students may enter at either the beginner OR the introductory level, but not both.
Selections may be from method books, RCM Prep A or Prep B, or any other equivalent source.

One selection, own choice. Any repertoire. Enter at current grade/level.

The pianist must provide their own soloist: a vocalist or other instrumentalist. Only the accompanist will be adjudicated. Please enter at current grade/level.

One selection, own choice. Although memorization is encouraged, it is not mandatory.

NOTE: This is not a Provincial Qualifier Class (see Class 12401).

Participants must perform two solo works of equal difficulty that demonstrate stylistic contrast.

• Pop music is not permitted.

• Selections may, but are not required to, be from the RCM or CC syllabus.

• Appropriateness of repertoire will factor into the overall evaluation.

• Memorization is optional.

• Performances should be presented in a concert-style format (ie no need to wait for the adjudicator between selections).

Participants in this class may be recommended to advance to the provincial level of competition.  All provincial classes for this category are virtual (online) only.

This class features performances for one piano – four hands (duet) or six hands (trio).

• Only one participant is required to register and pay the entry fee.

• Please include the name(s) of your partner(s) when registering.

The Bernice Bennett Memorial Music Scholarship for Duet is available to duet performers aged 12–18 in any musical discipline.

Repertoire Guidelines:

• Perform one classical selection only.

• Enter the class based on the age of the oldest performer in the duet or trio.

• If any member is performing at the associate level or higher, the group must register in the Advanced Class, regardless of age.

• Memorization is optional.

Participants in this class may be recommended to advance to the provincial level of competition.  All provincial classes for this category are virtual (online) only.

Please note that the second piano may be a digital piano.

This class features performances for two pianos – four hands or two pianos – eight hands.

• Only one participant is required to register and pay the entry fee.

• Please include the name(s) of your partner(s) when registering.

Repertoire Guidelines:

• Perform one classical selection only.

• Enter the class based on the age of the oldest performer in the duo.

• If any member is performing at the associate level or higher, the group must register in the Advanced Class, regardless of age.

• Memorization is optional.

This class is intended solely for participants seeking recommendation to advance to the provincial level of competition.

• Participants must perform two musically contrasting selections from the same grade/level of the current RCM or CC syllabus.

• “Teacher’s Choice” pieces are not permitted.

• If a participant receives a recommendation to the provincial level, both selections performed in this class must also be presented at the provincial competition.

• Participants who have completed any part of an exam at a particular grade/level before January 1, 2026, are not eligible to enter that same grade/level.

• Multi-movement works must be performed as outlined in the RCM or CC syllabus for that grade/level. Please clearly indicate which movement(s) will be performed.

• Studies/études listed in the RCM or CC syllabi are allowed, but only one selection may be a study/étude. Popular substitutions are not allowed.

• Note: At the provincial level, Grades/Levels 1 through 5 will be held virtually (online) only.

For complete rules and guidelines, visit: https://omfa.ca

This class is intended solely for participants seeking recommendation to the provincial level of competition.

Eligibility:
Participants must be performing at the Associate or Post-Associate level, though holding an Associate diploma is not required.
Repertoire at Level 10 or below is not permitted. Selected works do not need to appear in the RCM or CC syllabi.

Repertoire Requirements:

• A minimum of two contrasting selections is required.

• A third piece may be included, provided the total performance time does not exceed 45 minutes.

• The minimum performance time is 15 minutes.

If recommended to the provincial level, all selections (two or three) performed in this class must also be presented at the provincial competition.

Additional Guidelines:

• If performing a sonata, at least two consecutive movements must be included, even if the full sonata is listed as required in RCM or CC. Performing the entire sonata is optional, provided it fits within the 45-minute time limit.

• Concertos are not permitted in this class.

For complete rules and guidelines, visit: https://omfa.ca

This class is intended solely for participants seeking recommendation to the provincial level of competition.

Open to amateur participants, age 29 years and over.

• Two contrasting selections is required.

• The maximum performance time is 25 minutes (no minimum performance time).

If recommended to the provincial level, both selections performed in this class must also be presented at the provincial competition.

For complete rules and guidelines, visit: https://omfa.ca