Registration for Musicfest 2026
Deadline: Dec 19th, 2025
Embedded Files
CRMF Documentation
CRMF Documentation
2026 Directors Letter (English) (2025/10/31)
2026 Directors Letter (French) (2025/10/31)
MusicFest Canada Syllabus Links
MusicFest Canada Syllabus Links
Before you start!
This form will ask you to enter a brief Ensemble Biography. You may wish to prepare a few sentences before proceeding as it will be read to the audience before your performance.
This form will ask for your possible list piece(s) if applicable
Honour Award Nominees will be collected in January 2026
NEW! Chamber Ensembles will perform at the Univeristy of Ottawa Faculty of Music
NEW! Due to construction-related parking restrictions, there will be no on-site bus parking available at Earl of March S.S. (DROP-OFFS ONLY) between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM Tuesday through Friday. Bus parking will be available nearby at 990 Teron Rd.
NEW! An invoice, based on the information submitted to this form, will be issued and emailed to the ensemble’s director to assist in payment submission.
Please scroll up after pressing submit
Ensemble Category and Class GuidePlease scroll down(All age designations are as of Jan. 1, 2026)
Concert Band Classes:Concert Bands must perform one selection from the 2026 MusicFest Canada Concert Band Syllabus (www.musicfest.ca). Although it is not a CRMF requirement, all Concert Bands are strongly recommended to perform a Canadian composition and a lyric piece at CRMF; NOTE: At MusicFest Nationals, these are mandatory requirements
Classes:B100 B200 B300 B400 B500 B600
N.B. Class numbers reflect the grade level of the test piece being performed (see the MusicFest Canada Syllabus for test pieces*).
Orchestra/String Orchestra:Orchestra: 25 or more performers in which string instruments are complimented by brass, woodwind and percussion instrumentsString Orchestra: 9 or more performers on string instrumentsString Chamber Ensemble: 2 - 5 performers on orchestral string instruments
Classes:Orchestra:O100 O200 O300 O400 O500
String Orchestra:S100 S200 S300 S400 S500
N.B. Class numbers reflect the difficulty level of the pieces being performed with 100 being the easiest, and 500 being the most challenging repertoire.
N.B. String Orchestras with less than 20 performers will be scheduled on the Chamber Music stage at the University of Ottawa.
Chamber Ensembles:Chamber Ensemble: 2 to 12 performers of brass, woodwind and or percussion instruments.Percussion Ensemble: 4 or more performers of percussion instruments.Chamber Ensembles must perform two selections of contrasting style.
Classes:B101: no age restrictionB201: 20 yrs. of age & underB301: 17 yrs. of age & underB401: 15 yrs. of age & under
Jazz Ensembles:Jazz Ensemble: 9 to 24 performers with 'standard instrumentation' is recommended (up to 12 brass, 6 saxophones and 6 rhythm). Any deviation from the standard will be judged on its musical merit. Performance of a Canadian work is recommended; see musicfest.ca for the Instrumental Jazz Syllabus of published Canadian jazz repertoire.
Jazz Combo: 2 to 8 performers, including vocalists. Improvisation is highly recommended.
Trad. Jazz Combo: Repertoire performed in the style of the early 1900's. Suggested (Dixieland) instrumentation: tuba/string bass, cornet/ trumpet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, rhythm.
Classes:A101: University or College Ensemble, no age restrictionA102: Community Ensemble, no age restrictionA201: Single High School Ensemble, 20 yrs. of age & underA202: Community Ensemble, 20 yrs. of age & underA301: Single High School Ensemble, 17 yrs. of age & under or Grade 12A302: Community Ensemble, 17 yrs. of age & underA401: Single High School Ensemble, 16 yrs. of age & under or Grade 11A402: Community Ensemble, 16 yrs. of age & underA501: Single High School Ensemble, 15 yrs. of age & under or Grade 10A502: Community Ensemble, 15 yrs. of age & underA601: School or Community Ensemble, 14 yrs. of age & under or Grade 9A701: School or Community Ensemble, 13 yrs. of age & under or Grade 8
World Music W101: No age restrictionsW201: Ensemble members are a maximum age of 20 yearsW301: Ensemble members are a maximum age of 17 years, or are registered in Grade 12W401: Ensemble members are a maximum age of 15 years
Choral Music Concert/Chamber Choir: 10 or more singers, performing traditional concert/chamber choir repertoire, non-jazz styles. Choral Combo: 3 to 9 singers performing traditional, non-jazz styles. N.B.: A group may not perform a given selection in more than one category.
Vocal Jazz and Contemporary Music**Please note that there will be NO microphones or rhythm section equipment available for Vocal Jazz and Contemporary Music entries for the 2026 CRMF Festival.**
Vocal Jazz and Contemporary Music Combo: 2 to 8 singers with or without a rhythm section accompaniment performing contemporary vocal music.Vocal Jazz and Contemporary Music Ensemble: 9 to 18 singers with or without a rhythm section accompaniment performing contemporary vocal music.Combination Choir: Up to 18 singers (the number of vocal microphones available) performing an equal number of traditional and contemporary styles.
Classes:C101: University or College Vocal Groups, no age restrictions.C102: Community and Church Vocal Groups, no age restrictions.C301: Vocal Groups whose members are the maximum age of 17 years as of January 1, 2023 or are registered in Grade 12.C401: Vocal Groups whose members are the maximum age of 15 years as of January 1, 2023.C501: Vocal Groups whose members who are registered in Grades 1-7
Concert Band Classes:Concert Bands must perform one selection from the 2026 MusicFest Canada Concert Band Syllabus (www.musicfest.ca). Although it is not a CRMF requirement, all Concert Bands are strongly recommended to perform a Canadian composition and a lyric piece at CRMF; NOTE: At MusicFest Nationals, these are mandatory requirements
Classes:B100 B200 B300 B400 B500 B600
N.B. Class numbers reflect the grade level of the test piece being performed (see the MusicFest Canada Syllabus for test pieces*).
Orchestra/String Orchestra:Orchestra: 25 or more performers in which string instruments are complimented by brass, woodwind and percussion instrumentsString Orchestra: 9 or more performers on string instrumentsString Chamber Ensemble: 2 - 5 performers on orchestral string instruments
Classes:Orchestra:O100 O200 O300 O400 O500
String Orchestra:S100 S200 S300 S400 S500
N.B. Class numbers reflect the difficulty level of the pieces being performed with 100 being the easiest, and 500 being the most challenging repertoire.
N.B. String Orchestras with less than 20 performers will be scheduled on the Chamber Music stage at the University of Ottawa.
Chamber Ensembles:Chamber Ensemble: 2 to 12 performers of brass, woodwind and or percussion instruments.Percussion Ensemble: 4 or more performers of percussion instruments.Chamber Ensembles must perform two selections of contrasting style.
Classes:B101: no age restrictionB201: 20 yrs. of age & underB301: 17 yrs. of age & underB401: 15 yrs. of age & under
Jazz Ensembles:Jazz Ensemble: 9 to 24 performers with 'standard instrumentation' is recommended (up to 12 brass, 6 saxophones and 6 rhythm). Any deviation from the standard will be judged on its musical merit. Performance of a Canadian work is recommended; see musicfest.ca for the Instrumental Jazz Syllabus of published Canadian jazz repertoire.
Jazz Combo: 2 to 8 performers, including vocalists. Improvisation is highly recommended.
Trad. Jazz Combo: Repertoire performed in the style of the early 1900's. Suggested (Dixieland) instrumentation: tuba/string bass, cornet/ trumpet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, rhythm.
Classes:A101: University or College Ensemble, no age restrictionA102: Community Ensemble, no age restrictionA201: Single High School Ensemble, 20 yrs. of age & underA202: Community Ensemble, 20 yrs. of age & underA301: Single High School Ensemble, 17 yrs. of age & under or Grade 12A302: Community Ensemble, 17 yrs. of age & underA401: Single High School Ensemble, 16 yrs. of age & under or Grade 11A402: Community Ensemble, 16 yrs. of age & underA501: Single High School Ensemble, 15 yrs. of age & under or Grade 10A502: Community Ensemble, 15 yrs. of age & underA601: School or Community Ensemble, 14 yrs. of age & under or Grade 9A701: School or Community Ensemble, 13 yrs. of age & under or Grade 8
World Music W101: No age restrictionsW201: Ensemble members are a maximum age of 20 yearsW301: Ensemble members are a maximum age of 17 years, or are registered in Grade 12W401: Ensemble members are a maximum age of 15 years
Choral Music Concert/Chamber Choir: 10 or more singers, performing traditional concert/chamber choir repertoire, non-jazz styles. Choral Combo: 3 to 9 singers performing traditional, non-jazz styles. N.B.: A group may not perform a given selection in more than one category.
Vocal Jazz and Contemporary Music**Please note that there will be NO microphones or rhythm section equipment available for Vocal Jazz and Contemporary Music entries for the 2026 CRMF Festival.**
Vocal Jazz and Contemporary Music Combo: 2 to 8 singers with or without a rhythm section accompaniment performing contemporary vocal music.Vocal Jazz and Contemporary Music Ensemble: 9 to 18 singers with or without a rhythm section accompaniment performing contemporary vocal music.Combination Choir: Up to 18 singers (the number of vocal microphones available) performing an equal number of traditional and contemporary styles.
Classes:C101: University or College Vocal Groups, no age restrictions.C102: Community and Church Vocal Groups, no age restrictions.C301: Vocal Groups whose members are the maximum age of 17 years as of January 1, 2023 or are registered in Grade 12.C401: Vocal Groups whose members are the maximum age of 15 years as of January 1, 2023.C501: Vocal Groups whose members who are registered in Grades 1-7
Fee StructureConcert and Jazz Ensembles:$250 - includes 3 adjudicators and a 30 min clinic for the first 3 ensembles registered per school. The fee for your school’s fourth ensemble and beyond will be $200.
Choral Ensembles:$250 - includes 2 adjudicators and a 30 min clinic for the first 3 ensembles registered per school. The fee for your school’s fourth ensemble and beyond will be $200.
Jazz Combos and World Music Ensembles:$200 - Chamber Ensembles are allocated 20 minutes on-stage and a 20-minute clinic. All other ensembles are given 30 minutes on-stage and a 30-minute clinic.
Chamber Ensembles:$200 - Chamber Ensembles are allocated 30 minutes on-stage (20 minutes performance time) and a 30-minute clinic.
Payment Procedure:All registrations must be made ONLINE . Entries will be processed only upon arrival of a cheque or etransfer for full payment. Post-dated cheques will not be accepted. Once registration has been confirmed, no refunds will be issued.
Please make cheques payable to“Capital Region MusicFest” and send:
The fee structure listed above is an Early Bird rate. Any applications received after the deadline (Dec 19, 2025) will be charged at the Early Bird rate plus $50 per ensemble.
Further Questions?
Registrar mary.blais@ocsb.caTreasurer brad.campbell@ocdsb.caRegional Coordinator stephen.szabo@ocdsb.ca
Choral Ensembles:$250 - includes 2 adjudicators and a 30 min clinic for the first 3 ensembles registered per school. The fee for your school’s fourth ensemble and beyond will be $200.
Jazz Combos and World Music Ensembles:$200 - Chamber Ensembles are allocated 20 minutes on-stage and a 20-minute clinic. All other ensembles are given 30 minutes on-stage and a 30-minute clinic.
Chamber Ensembles:$200 - Chamber Ensembles are allocated 30 minutes on-stage (20 minutes performance time) and a 30-minute clinic.
For any questions or concerns please contact Mary Blais: mary.blais@ocsb.ca
Payment Procedure:All registrations must be made ONLINE . Entries will be processed only upon arrival of a cheque or etransfer for full payment. Post-dated cheques will not be accepted. Once registration has been confirmed, no refunds will be issued.
Please make cheques payable to“Capital Region MusicFest” and send:
Mail: Brad Campbell, 19 Pine Bluff Trail, Stittsville, Ont. K2S 1E2
OCDSB Board Mail: Brad Campbell @ Earl of March S.S.
E-transfer: brad.campbell@ocdsb.ca
The fee structure listed above is an Early Bird rate. Any applications received after the deadline (Dec 19, 2025) will be charged at the Early Bird rate plus $50 per ensemble.
Further Questions?
Registrar mary.blais@ocsb.caTreasurer brad.campbell@ocdsb.caRegional Coordinator stephen.szabo@ocdsb.ca
Special Notes:
Rating Opt-out
Ensembles may choose to receive a rating for their performances, however, ensembles that do not elect to receive a rating are still eligible for MusicFest Nationals invitations.
Please note that only ensembles receiving a rating are required to perform pieces from the MusicFest Canada Concert Band Syllabus. All other groups should perform a contrasting program based on the guidelines listed under Performance Requirements later in this document.
Honour Awards
In January, ensemble directors are invited to nominate only one member of each participating ensemble for an Honour Award. This is optional.
This award is at the discretion of the director and could be based on ensemble member attributes such as musicianship, most improved, dedication to the ensemble etc..
The Honour Award Nominee will be presented with an honour certificate at the conclusion of the ensemble’s performance.
Please note that a separate form for honour award nominees will be sent out in January once registrations have been processed.
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