Please use the links below to navigate to the different sections of the School Orchestras syllabus. To browse through the other sections of the overall Music syllabus, please use the links on the left-hand side further down this page.

• Section 180: Secondary School Orchestras (Str/Ww/Br)
• Section 181: Elementary & Inter-School Orchestras
• Section 182: Elementary & Inter-School Orchestras – Non Competitive
• Section 183: School String Orchestras
• Section 184: School String Orchestras – Non Competitive
• Section 185: School String Quartets
• Section 186: School String Ensembles
• Section 187: School String Ensembles – Non-Competitive
• Section 188: School String Ensembles – Early Years Of Training
• Section 189: School String Ensembles – Early Years Of Training – Non-Competitive

Section 180: Secondary School Orchestras (Str/Ww/Br)

Section Notes

1. Refer to Rules 12, 18, 19 and 37. Read all Syllabus rules with care.
2. Inter-school orchestras eligible. String orchestras must enter Section 111.
3. Entrants to bring music stands if need is excessive.
4. Competitors must number first bars of each line of music submitted.
5. Time limit 35 minutes. This includes assembly, tuning, warm-up and performance.
6. Schools to arrange all percussion needs.
7. An orchestra may enter only one of ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’ classes which are graded according to piece difficulty, ‘A’ being the most difficult. The Best of (or first place in an undivided class) winner of a ‘B’ or ‘C’ class one year is encouraged to enter the next level.
8. Performance times MUST be included on the entry form.

Class 180-01 – Secondary School Orchestras – Challenge
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two selections or 2 mvts. – each must be a ‘A’ difficulty. Conductor’s scores for both selections must be presented to the adjudicator’s secretary prior to the beginning of the session. Adjudicators will select one only to be played.

Class 180-02 – Secondary School Orchestras “A”
Fee: $140.00
Own choice

Class 180-03 – Secondary School Orchestras “B”
Fee: $140.00
Own Choice

Class 180-04 – Secondary School Orchestras “C”
Fee: $140.00
Own Choice

Class 180-05 – Secondary School Orchestras “A” – Concerto or Concerted Work
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one mvt. of any Concerto or Concerted Work. Soloist may be a pianist, string or wind instrumentalist. Solo instrument must be indicated on entry form. See Note 7.

Class 180-06 – Secondary School Orchestras “B” – Concerto or Concerted Work
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one mvt. of any Concerto or Concerted Work. Soloist may be a pianist, string or wind instrumentalist. Solo instrument must be indicated on entry form. See Note 7.

Class 180-07 – Secondary School Orchestras “A” – Gr. 10 & Under
Fee: $140.00
Own choice. See Note 7.

Class 180-08 – Secondary School Orchestras “B” – Gr. 10 & Under
Fee: $140.00
Own choice. See Note 7.

Class 180-09 – Secondary School Orchestras – Canadian Composers
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of an original composition by a Canadian composer. Competitors may avail themselves of the facilities of the Canadian Music Centre, 20 St. Joseph St., Toronto M4Y 1J9. Tel. (416) 961-6601.

Class 180-10 – Orchestras – Grs. 7, 8, 9
Fee: $140.00
Own choice

Class 180-11 – Secondary School Orchestras – Student Composer
Fee: $140.00
Own Choice of an original composition written by a student enrolled at the school. May be conducted by the student.

Class 180-12 – Secondary School Orchestras with Choir
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one selection.. Time limit 20 mins.

Section 181: Elementary & Inter-School Orchestras

Section Notes

1. Refer to Rules 12, 18, 19 and 37. Read all Syllabus rules with care.
2. Grade 8 and under (or as specified) of any one school (exception 181-06).
3. Time limit includes assembly, tuning, warm-up and performance.
4. Performance times MUST be included on the entry form.

Class 181-01 – Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under – “A”
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 25 mins.

Class 181-02 – Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under – “B” – 61 or more players
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 25 mins.

Class 181-03 – Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under – “B” – 60 or fewer players
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 20 mins.

Class 181-04 – Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under – “B” – 2nd Year of Playing
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 20 mins.

Class 181-05 – Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under – Canadian Composers
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of an original composition by a Canadian composer. Competitors may avail themselves of the facilities of the Canadian Music Centre, 20 St. Joseph St., Toronto M4Y 1J9. Tel (416) 961-6601. Time limit: 25 mins

Class 181-06 – Orchestras – Gr. 6 & Under
Fee: $140.00
Minimum 6 players.
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 20 mins.

Class 181-07 – Inter-School Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under
Fee: $140.00
Players to be from two or more schools. Names of schools must be on entry form. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 35 mins.

Section 182: Elementary & Inter-School Orchestras

Section Notes

1. All classes in this section are Non-Competitive. No marks will be given, but adjudications will be received
2. Refer to Rules 12, 18, 19 and 37. Read all Syllabus rules with care.
3. Grade 8 and under (or as specified) of any one school (exception 110-06).
4. Time limit includes assembly, tuning, warm-up and performance.
5. Performance times MUST be included on the entry form.’

Class 182-01 – Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under – “A” – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 25 mins.

Class 182-02 – Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under – “B” – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 25 mins.

Class 182-03 – Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under – “B” – 60 or fewer players – 2nd Year of Playing – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 20 mins.

Class 182-04 – Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under – Canadian Composers – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of an original composition by a Canadian composer. Competitors may avail themselves of the facilities of the Canadian Music Centre, 20 St. Joseph St., Toronto M4Y 1J9. Tel (416) 961-6601. Time limit: 25 mins

Class 182-05 – Orchestras – Gr. 6 & Under – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Minimum 6 players.
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 20 mins.

Class 182-06 – Inter-School Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Players to be from two or more schools. Names of schools must be on entry form. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 35 mins.

Section 183: School String Orchestras

Section Notes

1. Refer to all Notes in Section 108 Read all Syllabus rules with care.
2. Time limit 25 minutes unless otherwise specified. This includes assembly, tuning, warm-up and performance.
3. An orchestra may enter only one of ‘A’ or ‘B’ classes which are graded according to piece difficulty, ‘A’ being the most difficult. The Best of (or first place in an undivided class) winner of a ‘B’ class one year is encouraged to enter the next level.
4. Performance times MUST be included on the entry form.

Class 183-01 – Secondary School String Orchestras – Open
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one selection.. Time limit 35 mins.

Class 183-02 – Secondary School String Orchestras “A”
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one selection.

Class 183-03 – Secondary School String Orchestras – Canadian Composer
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one selection.

Class 183-04 – Secondary School String Orchestras “B”
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one selection.

Class 183-05 – Secondary School String Orchestras “A” – Concerto or Concerted Work
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one mvt. of any Concerto or Concerted Work. Soloist may be a pianist/string/ wind instrumentalist. Solo instrument must be indicated on entry form. See Note 3. Time Limit 35 mins.

Class 183-06 – Secondary School String Orchestras “B” – Concerto or Concerted Work
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one mvt. of any Concerto or Concerted Work. Soloist may be a pianist/string/wind instrumentalist. Solo instrument must be indicated on entry form. See Note 3. Time Limit 35 mins.

Class 183-07 – Secondary School String Orchestras with Percussion
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one selection. Time Limit 35 mins.

Class 183-08 – Secondary School String Orchestras with Choir
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one selection.. Time limit 20 mins.

Class 183-09 – Fiddle String Orchestra with Fiddle Repertoire – Open
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.

Class 183-10 – String Orchestras “A” – Gr. 10 & Under
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one selection.

Class 183-11 – String Orchestras “B” – Gr. 10 & Under
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one selection.

Class 183-12 – String Orchestras “A” – Gr. 9
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one selection.

Class 183-13 – String Orchestras “B” – Gr. 9
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one selection.

Class 183-14 – String Orchestras – Grade 9 – First Year of Training
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one or two contrasting selections. Time limit 15 minutes.

Class 183-15 – String Orchestras – Grade 6, 7, 8 & 9
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one or two contrasting selections. Time limit 15 minutes.

Class 183-16 – Fiddle String Orchestra – Grade 10 & Under
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.

Class 183-17 – String Orchestras – Grade 8
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one or two contrasting selections. Time limit 15 minutes.

Class 183-18 – String Orchestras – Grade 7
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one or two contrasting selections. Time limit 15 minutes.

Class 183-19 – Inter-School String Orchestras – Open
Fee: $140.00
Players to be from two or more schools. Names of schools must be on entry form. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 30 mins.

Class 183-20 – Inter-School String Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under
Fee: $140.00
Players to be from two or more schools. Names of schools must be on entry form. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 30 mins.

Class 183-21 – Elementary School String Orchestras – “A”
Fee: $140.00
Minimum 21 players, any one school. Own choice of two contrasting selections. See Note 3.

Class 183-22 – Elementary School String Orchestras – “B” – 61 players or more
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 30 mins. See Note 3.

Class 183-23 – Elementary School String Orchestras – “B” – 60 players or fewer
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 20 mins. See Note 3.

Class 183-24 – Elementary School String Orchestras – First Year of Training
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 30 mins.

Class 183-25 – Elementary School String Orchestras – Second Year of Training
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 30 mins.

Class 183-26 – String Orchestra in Fiddle Style – Grade 8 and under
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 30 mins.

Class 183-27 – Elementary School String Ensemble – Grade 6 and under – Violins only
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 20 mins.

Class 183-28 – Elementary School String Ensemble – Grade 8 & Under – Any Instrumentation
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 30 mins.

Class 183-29 – Elementary School String Ensemble – Grade 6 and under – Any Instrumentation
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 20 mins.

Section 184: School String Orchestras – Non Competitive

Section Notes

1. All classes in this section are Non-Competitive. No marks will be given, but adjudications will be received.
2. Refer to all Notes in Section 183. Read all Syllabus rules with care.
3. Time limit 25 minutes unless otherwise specified. This includes assembly, tuning, warm-up and performance.
4. An orchestra may enter only one of ‘A’ or ‘B’ classes which are graded according to piece difficulty, ‘A’ being the most difficult. The Best of (or first place in an undivided class) winner of a ‘B’ class one year is encouraged to enter the next level.
5. Performance times MUST be included on the entry form.

Class 184-01 – String Orchestras – Secondary School Orchestra – Master Class – Canadian Composer
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of an original composition by a Canadian composer. Competitors may contact the Canadian Music Centre.

Class 184-02 – String Orchestras – Grade 8 – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Own choice

Class 184-03 – String Orchestras – Grade 7 – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Own choice

Class 184-04 – Inter-School String Orchestras – Open – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Players to be from two or more schools. Names of schools must be on entry form. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 30 mins.

Class 184-05 – Inter-School String Orchestras – Gr. 8 & Under – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Players to be from two or more schools. Names of schools must be on entry form. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 30 mins.

Class 184-06 – Elementary School String Orchestras – “A” – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Minimum 21 players, any one school. Own choice of two contrasting selections. See Note 3.

Class 184-07 – Elementary School String Orchestras – “B” – 61 players or more – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 30 mins. See Note 3.

Class 184-08 – Elementary School String Orchestras – “B” – 60 players or fewer – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 20 mins. See Note 3.

Class 184-09 – Elementary Inter-School String Orchestras – First Year of Training – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections.
Time limit 30 mins.

Class 184-10 – Elementary Inter-School String Orchestras – Second Year of Training – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 30 mins.

Section 185: School String Quartets

Section Notes

1. Refer to Rules 18, 19, 37 and 39. Read all Syllabus rules with care.
2. Quartets should provide own music stands.
3. Time limit 10 minutes.
4. Participants must provide one complete score with bars numbered.
5. A string quartet may enter only one level and a Master Class.
6. Performance times MUST be included on the entry form.

Class 185-01 – Secondary School Senior String Quartet
Fee: $60.00
Own choice of one mvt. of senior level quartet

Class 185-02 – Secondary School String Quartet – Grade 10 & Under
Fee: $60.00
Own choice of one mvt. of any standard quartet repertoire

Class 185-03 – Secondary School String Quartet – Master Class – Non-Competitive
Fee: $60.00
One mvt. of a string quartet. In addition to performance and adjudication, this class is intended to offer competitors and adjudicator an opportunity to exchange ideas in depth, verbally and through demonstration. No awards will be given. Please note scores MUST be submitted to the festival office no later than January 30th to enable review by adjudicator.

Class 185-04 – School String Quartet – Grade 8 & Under
Fee: $60.00
Own choice of one mvt. of any standard quartet repertoire.

Class 185-05 – School String Quartet – Grade 8 & Under – Non-Competitive
Fee: $60.00
Own choice of one mvt. of any standard quartet repertoire.

Class 185-06 – School String Quartet – Grade 6 & Under
Fee: $60.00
Own choice of one mvt. of any standard quartet repertoire.

Class 185-07 – School String Quartet – Grade 6 & Under – Non-Competitive
Fee: $60.00
Own choice of one mvt. of elementary level quartet repertoire.

Section 186: School String Ensembles

Section Notes

1. Refer to Rules 18 and 37. Read all Syllabus rules with care.
2. Time limits include set-up and tuning.
3. Grade 8 and under (or as specified) of any one school.
4. Piano not permitted.
5. Performance times MUST be included on the entry form.

Class 186-01 – String Ensembles – Gr. 8 & Under
Fee: $140.00
11 – 20 players. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 25 mins.

Class 186-02 – String Ensembles – Gr. 8 & Under
Fee: $140.00
6 – 12 players. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 25 mins.

Class 186-03 – String Ensembles – Gr. 6 & Under
Fee: $140.00
Minimum 6 players. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 20 mins.

Section 187: School String Ensembles – Non-Competitive

Section Notes

1. All classes in this section are Non-Competitive. No marks will be given, but adjudications will be received.
2. Refer to Rules 18 and 37. Read all Syllabus rules with care.
3. Time limits include set-up and tuning.
4. Grade 8 and under (or as specified) of any one school.
5. Piano not permitted.
6. Performance times MUST be included on the entry form.

Class 187-01 – String Ensembles – Gr. 8 & Under – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
11 – 20 players. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 25 mins.

Class 187-02 – String Ensembles – Gr. 8 & Under – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
6 – 12 players. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 25 mins.

Class 187-03 – String Ensembles – Gr. 6 & Under – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Minimum 6 players. Own choice of two contrasting selections. Time limit 20 mins.

Section 188: School String Ensembles – Early Years Of Training

Section Notes

1. Refer to Rules 18 and 37. Read all Syllabus rules with care.
2. Time limits include set-up and tuning.
3. Grade 8 and under (or as specified) of any one school.
4. Piano not permitted.
5. Performance times MUST be included on the entry form.

Class 188-01 – School String Ensembles – First Year of Training
Fee: $140.00
Choice of ONE of the pieces listed below. Open only to ensembles all of whose members have received tuition in schools and/or played in school string ensembles only since September 2019. Time limit 25 mins.
(a) Our First March – Merle Isaac Book I – Cole
(b) Rosalie (song) – Merle Isaac Book I – Cole
(c) French Folk Song – arr. Henderson & Stontmeir (from Stringing Along)

Class 188-02 – School String Ensembles – Second Year of Training
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one or two selections. Open only to ensembles all of whose members have received tuition in schools and/or played in school string ensembles only since September 2018.

Section 189: School String Ensembles – Early Years Of Training – Non-Competitive

Section Notes

1. All classes in this section are NON-COMPETITIVE. No marks will be given, but adjudications will be received
2. Refer to Rules 18 and 37. Read all Syllabus rules with care.
3. Time limits include set-up and tuning.
4. Grade 8 and under (or as specified) of any one school.
5. Piano not permitted.
6. Performance times MUST be included on the entry form.

Class 189-01 – School String Ensembles – First Year of Training – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Choice of ONE of the pieces listed below. Open only to ensembles all of whose members have received tuition in schools and/or played in school string ensembles only since September 2019. Time limit 25 mins.
(a) Our First March – Merle Isaac Book I – Cole
(b) Rosalie (song) – Merle Isaac Book I – Cole
(c) French Folk Song – arr. Henderson & Stontmeir (from Stringing Along)

Class 189-02 – School String Ensembles – Second Year of Training – Non-Competitive
Fee: $140.00
Own choice of one or two selections. Open only to ensembles all of whose members have received tuition in schools and/or played in school string ensembles only since September 2018.
Time limit 25 minutes.