Our annual all-day celebration of the art of singing! Adjudicated performances with classes for all ages and stages and in many different genres, with scholarship prizes for achievement in your art.

Saturday May 6 at Spirit of Life Lutheran Church, Vancouver

Everything you need to know to participate in Songfest 2023 is posted below.

Links to the registration page and a downloadable syllabus are at the bottom of this page.

SONGFEST 2023

Sponsored by NATS – Vancouver Chapter

 

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Welcome to Songfest 2023!! NATS Vancouver acknowledges that we sing on the unceded and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations where they sang and danced and held ceremony for generations. We thank them for their stewardship of these lands over the millennia.

 

NATS Vancouver Songfest celebrates the power of song and the joy of sharing our songs and voices with others. We are therefore fully committed to creating a space where everyone is heard and valued regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or ability.

A) Please review the following rules and regulations carefully.

B) Each class has a total time limit. Your timing starts from the beginning of your introduction. If the adjudicator asks you to wait for a moment between selections, this time will not count towards your total time limit.

C) All teachers, be they NATS members or not, are welcome to enter students into NATS Vancouver Songfest. Any NATS teacher entering students must be available to assist with the operation of Songfest upon request. Tasks required include greeting, copy-checking, adjudication, adjudicator assistance, technical assistance, organization, and other tasks that may arise. NATS teachers unable to volunteer their time will be asked to contribute a minimum of $30 to the scholarship fund.

D) Karen Lee Morlang and Maria Jung are our Songfest pianists, and we encourage you to engage them. You are responsible for paying their rehearsal and performance fees. The Pianists must receive your music (in the correct key, correct edition, etc) by April 22, 2023. Failure to meet this deadline may result in your having to find another pianist. Electronic tracks are not permitted for live performance.

 

E) All singers in Songfest will provide ONE original copy of their music to the adjudicator, and ONE to their pianist.Photocopied music will not be permitted. Failure to comply with copyright rules will disqualify a participant from competition. Please note the following exceptions:

a.Out of print music or unpublished music: Written notice of permission to copy from the publisher or composer must be provided at the time of performance.

b.Downloaded sheet music from internet sources will only be permissible when accompanied by a receipt indicating proof of purchase or proof of public domain status. Music downloaded from imslp.org is permitted. Please include the full URL of the work being performed on the first page of all parts and copies being used.

c. An accompanist must clearly display the original score on the piano if using a copy to facilitate page turns. Failure to do so will disqualify a participant from competition. Music downloaded from imslp.org is permitted. Please include the full URL of the work being performed on the first page of all parts and copies being used.

F) In most classes, participants are asked to present selections that show contrast. Note: This is not optional. Contrast can be achieved through genre, style, language, era, or tonality. If in doubt, please contact the festival coordinators. Participants are asked to sing one, two, or three selections as outlined in each class description. Those that choose to perform fewer than the maximum song requirement will not be eligible for scholarships awarded in that class.

G) The Variety Classes are designed for students who are newer to voice study and/or competition. We ask seasoned performers, and students who have entered the Vocal Variety class in previous Songfests not to enter this class. Students who are entered in this category who are not new to voice study and competing, or who have entered this class in previous Songfests will be redirected to another class.

H) All registrations are final. Refunds will not be given if participants are unable to perform on May 6th. 100% of registration fees paid are used for scholarships. If you are unable to perform, please know that the funds are being put to good use.

I) Substitution of repertoire after the registration deadline is not allowed

J) Please restrict use of props in Musical Theatre classes. One small prop may be used if desired. Costumes are encouraged, but not required, and should not distract from the performance. Time is not given for costume changes, and any time taken for such costume changes will be considered part of your performance time.

K) Scholarship winners will be notified shortly after May 6 to discuss their performance at the Songfest Recital. Scholarships are given at the discretion of the adjudicator. Having the top ranking in a class does not always guarantee a scholarship award, and any singer performing less than the maximum song requirement for their class will not be eligible for a scholarship. Please set aside Sunday, May 28th, for participation in the Honours and Scholarship recital.

 

L) The adjudicators’ decision is final. Participants, teachers and parents are requested to refrain from conversation with the Adjudicator before, during and after any performance. Any questions are to be directed to the Songfest Committee. 

SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

Scholarships will only be given to performances of a high level and to students who perform the maximum number of selections for their class. A minimum mark of 85% must be achieved to be awarded a scholarship.

If class size is 5 singers or greater, a second place award may also be made available.

All scholarships are at the discretion of the Adjudicator(s) and the Songfest Coordinators.

An in-person recital will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Outstanding performers will be asked to sing, and scholarship winners will be announced.

Please contact songfest@natsvancouver.org if you would like to donate scholarship funds to Songfest 2023. If you like, you may direct your funds to whichever class you prefer, or you can leave it up to the coordinators’ discretion.

 

 

APPLICATION FEES & DEADLINES

 

The registration deadline is March 31, 2023. Applications received after this date will be considered on a case by case basis. If accepted, late applications are subject to a $10 late fee per participant.

There is one single fee per class. Please refer to the syllabus for class fees.

Once your registration form is received, you will be invoiced via PayPal for your class fees. Fee payment is due by April 14, 2023. Registration is not complete until all fees are paid.

Please contact songfest@natsvancouver.org with any questions or for more information.

 

 

 

SONGFEST 2022 SYLLABUS

 

 

CHILDREN’S DIVISION: (11 years & Under – $50 scholarship)

FEES:   $30 for students of NATS members

$35 for students of non-NATS members

 

CD: Children’s Division – Participants are asked to prepare any two contrasting, age- appropriate selections from Musical Theatre, Classical, Folk, Disney, or any other CCM repertoire suitable to the performer’s age and ability. Time Limit: 8 minutes

 

 

YOUTH DIVISION: (12-14 years – $75 scholarship)

FEES: $30/class for students of NATS members

$35/class for students of non-NATS members

 

YMT: Youth Musical Theatre – Participants are asked to prepare two contrasting, age-appropriate Musical Theatre selections from Staged Broadway and/or Off-Broadway productions. Time Limit: 10 minutes.

 

YCL: Youth Classical – Participants are asked to prepare two contrasting, age-appropriate Classical selections. Folk songs and material from voice method books (RCM List A/B/C, Canada Conservatory) and syllabi are accepted. Time Limit: 10 minutes.

 

YVY: Youth Vocal Variety – Participants are asked to prepare any two contrasting, age appropriate selections from Musical Theatre, Classical, Folk, Disney, CCM, or any other repertoire suitable to the performer’s age and ability. Note: singers already registered in YMT and YCL, and singers who have entered this class in previous years are NOT to enter this class. Time Limit: 10 minutes.

 

 

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION: (15-18 years; secondary/high school students – $100 scholarship)

FEES:   $35/class for students of NATS members

$40/class for students of non-NATS members

**Please read this Special Note for the Intermediate division**

This division is intended for singers who are in secondary or high school. Therefore:

• Any singer who is 18 as of March 31, 2023, has already graduated from high school, and is studying voice at a post-secondary institution must enter the University/College division, and not this division.
• Any student who is 18 as of March 31, 2023, has already graduated from high school, but is not studying voice at a post-secondary institution is asked to enter the Adult Avocational division.

 

IMT: Intermediate Musical Theatre – Participants are asked to prepare two contrasting, age-appropriate Musical Theatre selections from Staged Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. Time limit: 12 minutes.

 

ICL: Intermediate Classical – Participants are asked to prepare two contrasting, age-appropriate Classical selections. At least one selection must be in a language other than English. Folk songs and material from voice method books (RCM List A/B/C, Canada Conservatory) and syllabi are accepted. Time limit: 12 minutes.

 

IVY: Intermediate Vocal Variety – Participants are asked to prepare any two contrasting, age appropriate selections from Musical Theatre, Classical, Folk, Cabaret, CCM, or any other repertoire suitable to the performer’s age and ability. Note: singers already registered in IMT and ICL, and singers who have entered this class in previous years are asked NOT to enter this class. Time limit: 12 minutes.

 

UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE DIVISION: (18 years and up, studying voice at a post-secondary institution – $150 scholarship)

FEES: $40/class for students of NATS members

$45/class for students of non-NATS members

 

UCMT: Univ/Coll Musical Theatre – Participants are asked to prepare three contrasting Musical Theatre selections from Staged Broadway and/or Off-Broadway productions. Time Limit: 15 minutes.

 

UCCL: Univ/Coll Classical – Participants are asked to prepare three contrasting Classical selections. Repertoire should include three languages, one of which is English. Time Limit: 15 minutes.

 

 

ADULT AVOCATIONAL DIVISION (18 years and up, not studying voice at a post-secondary institution – $100 scholarship),

FEES:   $35/class for students of NATS members

$40/class for students of non-NATS members

 

AAMT: Adult Avoc. Musical Theatre – Participants are asked to prepare two contrasting Musical Theatre selections from Staged Broadway and/or Off-Broadway productions. Time limit: 12 minutes.

 

AAAS: Adult Avoc. Art Song – Participants are asked to prepare two contrasting Art Songs. One selection must be in a language other than English. Time limit: 12 minutes.

 

AAA: Adult Avoc. Aria – Participants are asked to prepare two contrasting arias, from opera, operetta, oratorio, or other major works. One selection must be in a language other than English. Inclusion of any recitatives is at the discretion of the student and their teacher. Time limit: 12 minutes.

 

AAVY: Adult Avoc. Vocal Variety – Participants are asked to prepare any two contrasting selections from Musical Theatre, Classical, Cabaret, CCM, or any other repertoire suitable to the performer’s age and ability. Note: singers already registered in AAMT AAAS, AAA, and singers who have entered this class in previous years are asked NOT to enter this class. Time limit: 12 minutes.

 

CANADIAN REPERTOIRE (All Ages – $150 scholarship)

FEES:   $25/class for students of NATS members

$30/class for students of non-NATS members

 

CR: Canadian Repertoire – Participants are asked to prepare one age-appropriate selection from Musical Theatre or Classical Repertoire written by Canadian Composers. If needed, the participants will be divided into appropriate age categories by the Songfest Coordinators. These songs must not have been used by the participant in another Songfest class. Time Limit: 5 minutes.

 

CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL MUSIC (13 years and up – $100 scholarship)

FEES:   $35/class for students of NATS members

$40/class for students of non-NATS members

 

CCM: Contemporary Music – Participants are asked to prepare two contrasting, age-appropriate selections from Jazz, Pop, Rock, or other Non-Classical/Non-Musical Theatre repertoire. Participants may specialize in a single genre or may select repertoire from multiple genres. If needed, participants will be divided into appropriate age categories by the Songfest Coordinators. Participants may also choose to accompany themselves. These songs must not have been used by the participant in another Songfest class. Time Limit: 12 minutes.

 

NON-COMPETITIVE CLASS (All Ages)

FEES:   $30/class for students of NATS members

$35/class for students of non-NATS members

NC: Non-Competitive – Participants may perform one or two selections from any genre. Adjudicators will write comments but not give a mark or rank singers. This is a perfect class for the vocalist that is still developing! Time Limit: 10 minutes.

Please contact songfest@natsvancouver.org with any questions or for more information.

SONGFEST 2023 SYLLABUS

And the link for registration is here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-H0fuKJV1PwzkznHntouE0LlzSYX57MmIvHfPml9iZ–0Cg/viewform

Highlights concert Sunday May 28 (details TBA)