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General Rules

It is the responsibility of teachers, parents, and students to read and follow these rules.

Working Management

  1. The Chatham Kiwanis Music Festival (CKMF) competition shall be under the working management of the CKMF Organizing Committee, which is hereinafter called “The Committee.” Any questions not dealt with in these rules shall be referred to the Committee, whose decisions on such matters shall be final and binding on all concerned.

Eligibility Definitions

  1. All competitions, unless otherwise stated, shall be open to amateurs only. For the purpose of these competitions, an amateur shall be defined as follows: An amateur is a music student or any person whose principal means of livelihood is not and never was obtained from the performance or teaching of music, even though from time to time such persons are in receipt of remunerations for musical services rendered. 

  2. Where age limits are specified, competitors must be of the prescribed age on the 1st day of January in the year the Chatham Kiwanis Music Festival will take place.

  3. STUDENTS MUST ENTER ALL CLASSES WITHIN A DISCIPLINE (i.e. Piano, Strings, Voice, etc.) AT THE SAME LEVEL. Exception: Music Theatre Classes and Vocal Classes comprise two separate disciplines.

  4. In deciding the level at which a competitor should compete, it is expected that a competitor will not have passed Conservatory examinations at that level or higher before the registration deadline. 

  5. A competitor may perform only once in a class.

Own Choice Selections

  1. Competitors may not use a selection with which they have previously won first place at the Chatham Kiwanis Music Festival. 

  2. Where specified, ‘own choice’ selections must be chosen from the following syllabi:

    Piano - RCM 2022, Conservatory Canada 2018 Classical Piano, and/or the most current Contemporary Showcase Syllabus (available online at: acnmp.ca/syllabus_files/piano.pdf)
    Voice - RCM 2025 and/or Conservatory Canada 2018 Classical Voice syllabus
    Strings - RCM Violin 2021 or Conservatory Canada Violin 2001; RCM Cello 2013
    For all other current RCM syllabi, visit: rcmusic.com

  3. Competitors in all classes must furnish a purchased score of their own choice selection for the adjudicator. No music scores are supplied by the adjudicator except for Sight Reading classes. The purchased score must be presented to the Desk Secretary immediately preceding the respective competition and claimed at the conclusion of the class.

  4. Photocopied material is permitted for accompanists only when a purchased score is provided for the adjudicator. Proof of purchase must be presented for music downloaded from legitimate sites for any score used. Competitors MUST provide receipts for digitally-purchased music. Cover pages with the purchaser’s name printed on the cover are NOT receipts. If a copyright has not been respected by the performer, the performer will be eligible for adjudication only. 

  5. A musical selection may not be used by the same competitor in more than one class. 

  6. The suitability of own choice selections for each competitor will be considered by the adjudicator in the evaluation of the performance.

Entries

  1. The entry fee will not, under any circumstances, be refunded.

  2. In disciplines where entries are insufficient to warrant hiring a special adjudicator, the Committee reserves the right to cancel classes and refund the entry fee.

  3. Requests for additional classes may be submitted by email and will be considered by the Festival Committee. The deadline to request an additional class is December 15, 2026.

Program Procedure

  1. The Committee reserves the right to split any class into two or three groups of approximately equal numbers. In such cases, certificates will be issued for each group as a separate class.

  2. The Committee reserves the right to disqualify any competitor who is not ready to compete within five minutes of being called.

  3. If competitors do not perform the musical selection as entered on their entry form, or if they perform a selection that does not meet the class criteria, they will receive adjudication only, and no mark.

  4. Solo performers must memorize selections as instructed in all Conservatory syllabi. Solo performers who refer to music during the performance of any piece which should be memorized will not be eligible for first place. 

  5. Bands, Choirs, String Ensembles, etc. may choose to perform with music. In these cases, the use of photocopies is strictly prohibited, and may result in disqualification.

  6. Festival performance venues and Festival instruments (pianos) must not be used other than for competition.

  7. Competitors requiring music stands must supply their own.

  8. In order to ensure impartiality, at no time should any competitor, parent, or teacher approach the adjudicator. Any questions from these individuals must be directed to the Desk Secretary. Breaches of this rule may result in the competitor’s disqualification.

  9. Coaching during performances from teachers, parents, or others in the audience is prohibited and may result in the competitor’s disqualification.

  10. One parent or family member may videorecord their child’s performance, provided this is done in a discreet manner. The recording of any adjudication session is strictly prohibited. 

Rules and Regulations Specific to Awards

  1. A minimum standing of 80, 75, and 70 must be obtained for first, second or third place awards, respectively. To be eligible for an award, plaque, or trophy, a competitor must have competed in two solo classes of the same discipline, and obtained a minimum mark of 85 in at least one class. (Studies and Sight Reading classes are not eligible for cash award consideration.) In all cases, decisions regarding placements, trophies, and awards are made at the sole discretion of the adjudicator(s).  

  2. Award cheques are VOID after 60 days.

  3. Adjudicators will not “tie” for first place.

  4. All shields, plaques and trophies are the property of the Music Festival and unless otherwise stipulated, shall be held by the winner until February 15th of the following year, and then returned to:

    Rubies Inc.
    661 Grand Ave East, Chatham ON N7L 1X5

Final Concert

  1. A group of contestants recommended by the adjudicators will be called upon to perform at the CKMF Grand Concert.

  2. All trophies and awards will be presented at the Grand Concert, and the winners of the Golden K Kiwanis Bowl, the Silver Tray, and the Kiwanis Bowl are expected to perform at this concert.

Concerns and Suggestions

  1. Concerns or suggestions must be made in writing and sent by email to the Resolution Committee at ckmf@chathamkiwanis.com.

Ontario Provincial Festival (OMFA) Recommendations

  1. Up to three students from each level/discipline may be recommended by the adjudicator(s) to compete in the Ontario Music Festivals Association’s provincial competition in June. Two alternates may also be chosen by the adjudicator.

  2. To receive an adjudicator’s recommendation, a minimum mark of 85 must be achieved. The potential of the student to benefit from the experience is also taken into consideration at the time of selection.