Requirements:

• Students must prepare and perform two (2) pieces from memory: one (1) from the YMF syllabus and one (1) piece of their choice which aligns with YMF competency levels.
• The choice piece should not be acquired from the YMF syllabus.
• Published scores must be provided to the judges - No photocopies allowed.
• Entrants who receive a 5 rating should progress to a higher class in the following year except in the following cases:
  • A new required piece at the old level works best for that student.
  • The highest level class in an event may be entered repeatedly with a different required and choice piece.
• The choice composition must be an original, published composition. Simplified arrangements of the classics are not acceptable. Folk songs, hymns, transcriptions, arrangements, or abridgements are not acceptable. Only complete compositions are acceptable.
• Primary 1 choice pieces must be at least 12 measures long (not including repeats). For Primary 2 and above, choice pieces must be at least 16 measures in length.
• Choice pieces must be from a non-American composer for all students who are intermediate level and above.

Requirements:

• Published scores must be provided to the judges - No photocopies allowed.
• Entrants in the concerto event are not required to play a choice piece. Only one movement of one concerto from the Syllabus of Required Pieces should be played.

• Entrants must play one movement from the listed concerti in the Required Pieces Syllabus. No other work is required.

• Memory is required.

• Entrants must provide their own accompanists. The second piano part should be performed with the music. The accompanist should be available for the entire day of performance date.

• Long passages in the accompaniment should be reduced. All cadenzas must be played in their entirety.

  Entrants may play in the same concerto level for two or more years providing they play a different movement from the listed concerti.

• Entrants in the Senior 2 Concerto event may play one movement from any published classical concerto not included on the Junior and Senior 1 levels and not more than fifteen minutes in length without permission from the Registrar.

• There are no specific rules for determining what Concerto level an entrant should play versus the Solo level. Teachers are reminded to use good judgment in choosing levels and pieces appropriate for the student.

Requirements:

• Published scores must be provided to the judges - No photocopies allowed.
• Entrants who receive a 5 rating should progress to a higher class in the following year except in the following cases:
  • A new required piece at the old level works best for that student.
  • The highest level class in an event may be entered repeatedly with a different required and choice piece.
• The choice composition must be an original, published composition. Simplified arrangements of the classics are not acceptable. Folk songs, hymns, transcriptions, arrangements, or abridgements are not acceptable. Only complete compositions are acceptable.

Rules for Piano Ensemble Events:

• Entrants in all ensemble events must play a choice composition in addition to the required piece. The choice piece may be selected from the same collection or be composed by the same composer as the required piece. (Exception: Entrants in the Piano Quartet event are required to play only one piece from the Required Pieces Syllabus.
  
• Every effort should be made to maintain a reasonable level between ensemble players. The solo level of the ensemble partners should be within two levels.
• Memory is NOT required. Judges must be furnished a copy of the score.
• Entrants must play one composition listed plus a choice composition that represents the same level of difficulty and does not appear in this Syllabus. The exception is Piano Quartet where no choice piece is required.
• The choice and required compositions may be from the same collection and by the same composer.
• There are no specific rules for determining what Duet, Duo or Quartet level an entrant should play versus the Solo level. Teachers are reminded to use good judgment in choosing levels and pieces appropriate for the student.
• Teachers are asked to observe the following guidelines for time limits (combined required and choice compositions). If pieces are likely to exceed these limits (perhaps the required piece or concerto is a long one), please attach a note to the application for the Registrar.
  • Moderately Difficult - Difficult: 8 minutes
  • Very Difficult - Musically Advanced: 10 minutes
  • Concerti: 15 minutes
• Repeats should generally be omitted.