You must register through the CRMF website - Go to crmf.on.ca and click on ‘Registration Page’, then click on ‘ONLINE Registration form’.

Please note that your registration is not complete until the treasurer receives a cheque or Etransfer for the entirety of your fees as instructed on the page.

Capital Region Musicfest accepts applications from Concert Bands, Orchestras, String Ensembles, Chamber Ensembles, World Music Ensembles, Jazz Ensembles, Jazz Combos and Choral Ensembles.

For 2022, the Concert Band Division of the festival will be held at Earl of March SS, 4 The Parkway,  Ottawa (Kanata). Map

The Instrumental Jazz Division will be held at Longfields Davidson Heights Secondary School, 149 Berrigan Drive, Ottawa (Barrhaven). Map

The Choral Festival will be held at Fisher Park PS  250 Holland Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Y 0Y5 Map

For all performing ensembles at the Capital Region Music Festival, “Pop” literature is considered to be inappropriate.

Concert Bands, Chamber Ensembles and Orchestras

• Concert Bands participating at the 100-400 levels should choose three contrasting works.

  • At least one of these pieces must be chosen at the correct level from the 2020 Musicfest Canada Syllabus, and one work should be a lyrical piece.

  • Be sure to check the Musicfest Canada Syllabus for your list piece as it is updated each year.

  • Please note that CRMF does not currently require ensembles to perform a Canadian piece, but it is strongly recommended.

  • Concert Bands competing at the 500 and 600 levels have the option of presenting only two pieces if the works will exceed the recommended performance time of 20 minutes.   

• Chamber Ensembles are required to perform two contrasting selections of their own choosing.

  • Please note that chamber ensembles are classified based on the grade level / age of the oldest band member.

• String Ensembles and Orchestras are encouraged to select three contrasting, high quality, original works.

  • String Ensembles and Orchestras should choose compositions by Canadian composers when appropriate.

Jazz and World Music Ensembles

Ensembles in this category are classified based on the grade level / age of the oldest band member.  Please consult the MusicFest Canada rules and regulations for more details.

• Jazz Ensembles must present a program of no more than three contrasting selections, including a ballad.

  • Jazz repertoire is compulsory; i.e. Swing, Jazz Blues, Ballads, Jazz Rock, Latin Jazz, Samba, etc. Pop material is inappropriate. 

  • There should be opportunities for improvisation. 

  • A Canadian work is not required but is recommended.  

  • MusicFest Canada provides the Instrumental Jazz Syllabus as a resource to directors of published and graded Canadian jazz ensemble literature. 

  • Jazz Ensembles must consider timing rules when selecting repertoire.

• Jazz Combos should follow the same guidelines as Jazz Ensembles, but the selections should highlight the improvisational skills of everyone in the group.

• World Music Ensembles are those  utilizing the rhythmic, harmonic and melodic concepts from musical cultures in Latin America, West Africa, Asia and India  This includes rhythmic concepts in particular from Brazil, Portugal, Cuba, Spain, and Puerto Rico.

  • World Music Ensembles should follow the same guidelines as Jazz Ensembles, but they are NOT required to perform a ballad.

Choral Ensembles

• Choral Ensembles must perform a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 contrasting selections. Directors should be mindful of the festival’s time restrictions when choosing repertoire. More information about specific classes can be found on the MusicFest Canada website:
  https://musicfest.ca/information-ensemble-directors/rules-and-regulations/

• Concert Bands - Directors must provide 3 ORIGINAL scores to the adjudication panel for their two choice pieces.  CRMF will provide the scores for the MusicFest Canada list pieces.

  • Please note - Directors need to purchase FOUR conductor scores for their choice pieces, as one will be required by the conductor during the performance.

• Orchestras and String Ensembles - Directors must provide 3 ORIGINAL scores to the adjudication panel for each piece being performed.

  • Please note - Directors need to purchase FOUR conductor scores for their pieces, as one will be required by the conductor during the performance.

• Jazz, Chamber, and World Music Ensembles - Directors must provide 1 ORIGINAL score to the adjudication panel for each piece being performed.

  • Please note - Directors need to purchase TWO conductor scores for their pieces if a conductor is being used in performance.

• Jazz Combos - Directors must provide 1 Score to the adjudication panel for each piece being performed.  Photocopies of Lead Sheets are allowed for Jazz Combos

• Choral Ensembles - Directors must provide 2 Scores to the adjudication panel for each piece being performed.

Please note that in all cases (with the exception of Jazz Combos), photocopied scores will not be accepted by festival staff UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY PERMISSION FROM THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER.

• Concert Band Stage Plot

• Jazz Ensemble Stage Plot

• Jazz Ensemble Solo Order

You need to arrive one hour before your scheduled performance time. 

CRMF will provide storage for cases, coats, boots and bags for the duration of your performance cycle (one hour prior to your performance and 1.5 hours after.  For example if your scheduled stage time is 2:30 p.m. Storage will be available from 1:30-4 p.m.)  

We regret that we are unable to provide storage outside of that block, as we have numerous ensembles in the building at any one time.  Students wishing to observe other performances must carry their materials with them.

Check In: One hour prior to your scheduled performance time, you should check in at the registration desk and submit the following:

1. Your stage plots/seating plans (4 copies)

2. Your scores

3. Your ensemble BIO Sheet

4. Your solo order form (Jazz Ensembles)

Proceed to instrument storage where you can leave cases, bags, coats and books in the assigned storage area 

Warm Up:  Approximately 30 minutes prior to your performance your ensemble will move to the warm up room.

Performance: Your performance slot is 30 minutes, including the time it takes to load on and off stage, and for the M.C. to introduce your works.  For this reason, we strongly recommend that you program only 20 minutes of music.  

Clinic: Following your performance, your ensemble will receive a 30-minute (approx.) clinic with one of the CRMF adjudicators (n.b. 20 minutes for Chamber Ensembles).  

Photos: Following your clinic, there may be a photo area where parents can take pictures of their kids with friends.  This will be a host school decision, depending on space availability, and to be organized by the director.

Departure: You will depart festival approximately 2.5 hours after your arrival.  You may pick up your registration package on your way out, which will include your scores, ratings, comments etc.

At both Earl of March SS and LDHSS, Groups will enter from Stage Right (as you look OUT from the stage), at the back of the stage.  

Plan and organize your groups accordingly to ensure a smooth entry for your group.

Your total time onstage, including loading, M.C. introductions, performance time, adjudicator cues, and departure, is limited to 30 minutes.

For this reason, we strongly recommend that you program 20 minutes of music to avoid going over your allotted time.

No.  Due to time constraints it is not possible for you or your students to introduce your own works.

Please be sure to include any information you’d like to share in your Ensemble BIO, which will be submitted at Registration and read by the designated M.C.

Some Directors like to tune or play a chorale on-stage before they begin.  Please be mindful that you will have an audience for your tuning that includes the adjudicators. 

You also need to be cognisant of the fact that this will come out of your maximum 30 minutes on stage.  For this reason we strongly recommend that if you wish to tune on stage, you do so quickly, and by section (brass/woodwinds, upper/lower strings etc).

• Students are encouraged to be polite and respectful of the host schools, their student volunteer guides and the adjudicators at all times.

• Students should dress professionally, and engage with the adjudicator’s during the clinic.

• Students should not play or shout in the storage area, the photo area or upon receiving your rating.

• Given all the advances in technology, Capital Region Musicfest will no longer offer photographic services.  CRMF will permit audience members to take photographs (camera, cell phone, etc.) after the conclusion of the ensemble’s performance.

• There may be a location set-up at the host school where directors can organize their bands for a photo session with  parents after the performance.  We are looking into it and will confirm at a later date.  CRMF will not be responsible for this  service.

• If you realize that something isn’t working the way it should, have your guide contact registration to ask for help.

• We have a limited number of loaner instruments and a repair kit onsite.  We will do our best to help. Please do not send one of your students to another band or to the school music room to ask for help.

Be Prepared -   Make sure you have all of your paperwork and scores ready to hand in at the registration desk, that you’ve brought all of the appropriate equipment and prepared for emergencies by bringing extra parts, reeds, valve oil etc.

• • Be sure to bring all of the percussion equipment that you require, and make sure that everything is labelled.

  • Order your extra scores (3 for Concert Band ‘own choice’, String Ensemble and Orchestra, 1 for all others) well in advance.  Put it on your ‘to do’ list for before the Christmas break.

Be Polite - Be a model of kindness to the student performer guides and staff at the host school.  They volunteer to help host the festival, and are doing their best to help you.

• • Be kind and courteous to the adjudicator, who is there to experiment with different techniques and sounds.

On Stage -   Once your ensemble is seated, wait for M.C. introductions and a nod from the adjudication table to ensure they are ready for you to start.

• • In between pieces, wait for a cue from the adjudicator table to move to your next work.  It will come in the form of a nod, a wave, or a thumbs up.  

  • Ensure that your percussionists are using the CRMF equipment with care (every year we see damage to the Timpani head from someone playing with drum sticks, and damage to the Marimba from hard or brass mallets).

The Clinic -  Take notes or follow the cues given by the adjudicator (some adjudicators will ask you to conduct particular sections of a work, or to try something new).

Festival Wrap Up - When you pick up your package and certificate from the Registration table, consider others in your response.  While some Directors prefer to make a ‘big reveal’, the resulting cheering can impact those who are still in the process of getting ready to perform, or who perhaps are less happy with their own result.

• • The goal of CRMF is to provide a positive and encouraging environment for students at all levels of their musical development. 

• Make sure you have read all of the information in the confirmation package and prepared all of your materials ahead of time.  

• Provide all of your parents/students with appropriate info (where to park, what canteen will be available on site, entrance fees, photos etc.)

• Remind parents that No videos are allowed during the clinic.

• Manage your time at festival wisely by being aware of time limits and procedures.

• Never contradict or argue with an adjudicator.  They are there to try new and different things with your group.

• Prepare students for the experience ahead of time by reviewing expectations, best practises and concepts around their repertoire.

• If you have a large group, discuss or practise loading on and off the stage.  Determine who will help move percussion equipment.

Two common questions we hear from Adjudicators to the groups in front of them: “How did you feel about your performance today?” and “Do you know the story/composer’s intention behind the music?”

Absolutely!  - There is no charge for performers to attend additional performances by other bands.

Please remember that CRMF is unable to provide storage after your performance cycle is over, so students will need to bring their equipment into the auditorium with them.

Please send your registration fees to;

Remember, your online registration is not processed until the cheque/etransfer is received!  Register early as everything is time-stamped and there are limited spaces.

While costs for the festival may vary from year to year, here is a list of the things that registration fees cover.  

Please note that all members of the CRMF Executive Committee work in a volunteer capacity and are not paid for their work on the festival.

Adjudicators:

• Fees

• Hotels, travel, meals and other expenses

Equipment:

• Rentals (sound equipment and musical instruments)

• Equipment purchases

• Transportation costs

• MusicFest Canada list piece scores

Supplies:

• Paper

• Folios / certificates

• Supplies for adjudicators

• Tickets

• Printing

Hosting Costs:

• Meals for staff and volunteers

• Walkie Talkies

• Tee Shirts

• Trophy engraving / name tags

• Host school custodial fees

• Community Use of Schools Rental Fees

Admin / Misc. Costs:

• Bank Charges

• Google Storage

• Gifts / Donations

• Scholarships

• Year end meeting

MusicFest Canada provides the following lists:   

• Concert Band

• Instrumental Jazz Ensemble