Syllabus 2026

Table of Contents

Donate - Sponsor Mission Statement EDI Statement Land Acknowledgement

Rules & Regulations

Committee Members & Management Eligibility Repertoire Entry Deadline & Fees Festival Procedure & Recording Rules Awards & Scholarships OMFA Provincials

Classical Voice Categories

Vocal Solo - Art Song Before 1750 Vocal Solo - Art Song 1750 to present Vocal Solo - Art Song – Any Year - Junior Vocal Solo - Classical Opera Vocal Solo - Grand Opera Classical Opera - Duet,Trio,Quartet Grand Opera - Duet,Trio,Quartet Vocal Solo - Operetta Vocal Solo - Oratorio Vocal Solo - Foreign Language Solo Vocal Solo - English Sacred Song Vocal Solo - Foreign Language Sacred Song Sacred Duet, Trio Quartet - Any Language Vocal Solo - Spirituals Vocal Solo - Canadian Composer Vocal Solo - Traditional Folk Song Vocal Solo - Concert Group Vocal Solo - Vocalises Vocal Solo - Songs By Unpublished Composers Vocal Solo With Obbligato Instrument Vocal Duet With Obbligato Instrument Master Class - Classical Solo Senior Vocal Scholarship ($1000)

Novice Classes

Mature Singer

Musical Theatre Categories

Vocal Solo - Contemporary Musical Theatre – Ballad (1975 To Present) Vocal Solo - Contemporary Musical Theatre – Up Tempo (1975 To Present) Vocal Solo - Golden Age Musical Theatre – Ballad (1943-1974) Vocal Solo - Golden Age Musical Theatre – Up Tempo (1943-1974) Vocal Duets – Musical Theatre Master Class - Musical Theatre

Songs from the Screen and More

Vocal Duets and Small Ensembles

Vocal Duets - Own Choice Vocal Trio - Own Choice Vocal Quartet- Own Choice

Popular Voice Categories

Ballad - Any Year Up Tempo - Any Year Duets - Any Year Jazz or Blues Solo Vocal Solo with Self-Accompaniment Popular Voice Master Class

Speech Arts & Drama Categories

Monologue from Movie, T.V. or Musical Monologue Other Than Shakespeare - Solo Shakespeare Monologue - Solo Lyric Poetry - Solo Narrative poetry - Solo Humorous Poetry - Solo Canadian Poetry - Solo Original Poetry - Solo Slam Poetry - Solo Prose - Solo Storytelling - Solo Public Speaking - Solo Mime - Solo Dramatic Duologue Choral Speech - Group Speech Arts & Drama Master Class

28th Annual Newmarket Voice Festival Syllabus

36. Each participant will receive a written adjudication and a participation certificate. A seal of achievement will be awarded based on the following guideline which will be used by the adjudicator to determine awards:
    GOLD = 87 or Higher
    SILVER = 83-86
    BRONZE = 80-82
    * Unless these standards are achieved, awards will be withheld regardless of the number of entrants in the class. Placements will be announced and certificates will be given after each class.
37. Scholarships will be awarded by the festival at the recommendation of the adjudicator and in compliance with donor criteria. Participants are encouraged to enter multiple classes/genres to be eligible for scholarships. Recipients will be contacted by email or phone and be recognized at the Concert of the Stars on February 27, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Town Hall in Newmarket.
38. Some of our scholarship winners may be invited to perform in the Concert of the Stars. Singers will be invited by email or phone prior to the concert and must secure and pay their own accompanist.
39. The Newmarket Voice Festival is a member festival of the Ontario Music Festival Association (OMFA) which holds a Provincial competition in June. In 2026, it will be held in Waterloo from June 8-13.
    
    The adjudicator may choose up to three singers per category and age level to recommend to advance to this event, based on a minimum mark of 85 on a qualifying piece.
    
    Competitors must provide their own accompanist and pay entry fees and travel expenses if attending the Live Provincial Finals. Certain classes will be virtual – for singers 10 years and under and all duets.
    
    Recommended competitors must complete their entry form and pay fees by March 21, 2026 - view details at www.omfa.ca
    
    It is an honour to be invited to attend and perform at the provincial level and to represent our local festival.
    ***Competitors must accept their first offer/recommendation to the Provincial Finals and cannot accept a subsequent offer from another festival in the same discipline.
40. In accordance with Revenue Canada regulations, T4A forms will be issued to singers who win $500 or more in scholarships.

Voice Classes