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When will you be holding the Calgary Vocal Festival?Our festival will run from April 27 - May 1, 2025 Our Festival Showcase will be held: May 9, 2025 Rosza Centre, UofC
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Where will the Calgary Vocal Festival take place?CSPACE Marda Loop! https://maps.app.goo.gl/X5abHEe6x2mNr7v27
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Will there be scholarships?Yes, during the festival we will be giving out scholarships for individual age groups/classes along with larger scholarships at the final gala, including 'Outstanding Singer' and 'Most Promising Singer' for each of the Classical Vocal, Musical Theatre and Contemporary categories.
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AMFA Grading ScaleAMFA Grading Scale: Superior 90% and Over Distinction 85%-89% First Class Honours 80%-84% Honours 70%- 79%
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Will there be a performance to showcase singers from the festival?Yes! We want to celebrate the efforts of singers from a wide range of ages, levels, and styles and will host a gala concert after the festival wraps. Our Festival Showcase date will be announced soon!
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What to Bring!Classical Vocal: One original copy of your music. Musical Theatre: One original copy of your music Costume Props *Set pieces provided: black box, chair, & small table Contemporary Vocal: A licensed/purchased copy of your music (including the receipt for any printed copies). Singing your own music you haven't licensed yet? Write out the lyrics and chords in a lead sheet format - either by hand or using sheet music software. If you are singing with a pre-recorded track: - the track cannot include backing vocals (a great place to purchase tracks that give you key and backing vocal options is https://www.karaoke-version.com/) - the track must be downloaded to a device that can connect to a standard aux cord (3.5mm or 1/8-inch jack) - using a newer phone with no audio jack? You'll need to bring a headphone jack adapter that connects to your phone - the festival has a sound system that includes a mic, a boom stand, an 8 channel mixing board, a monitor, and a small PA that will play your track via the aux cord (generously donated by the Chinook Long & McQuade!) If you are self-accompanying on any instrument other than piano - you will need to bring your instrument, have it tuned and ready to go, and bring a cable so you can connect to the Yorkville 8-Channel Mixing Board provided if your instrument includes a pickup. ***more details in the Contemporary Vocal section up in this FAQ***
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Where can I get answers to other questions I have?Please contact us at CalgaryVocalFest@gmail.com We welcome your questions, feedback and ideas!
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Who can enter the Calgary Vocal Festival?There is no age limit! We want all students to have the opportunity to gain valuable performing experience in an encouraging and respectful environment.
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How do I know which class(es) to enter?Since we follow the AMFA syllabus, the easiest way to determine class details is to refer to their site. They provide class descriptions and age requirements for the classes we will use at our festival (see below for syllabus links according to category). *Age is established as of December 31 preceding the festival. Full Syllabus Classical Vocal Contemporary Vocal Musical Theatre School Vocal Glossary of Terms Provincial Festival Rules & Classes
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When is the registration period?Registration for the 2025 Calgary Vocal Festival will take place between January 05 - 31, 2025
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How do I register for your festival?Registration is available from January 05 - 31, 2025​ Follow the link to our PAFA registration portal, via the Registration page of our website! A detailed explanation of how to register is also found on the Registration page. Please email CalgaryVocalFest@gmail.com if you have any additional questions, we are happy to help!
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What information will I need for a seamless registration process?Registration will take place between January 5-31, 2025 To be fully prepared for registration, you will need to have gathered the following information: Class title, and associated registration number Title of piece and composer For Musical Theatre entries: Ballad or Uptempo classification Timing of chosen repertoire in minutes Accompanist details Vocal teacher's details Payment details We focus on the following vocal class categories, based on the Alberta Music Festival Association Syllabus: 1. Classical Vocal 2. Contemporary Vocal 3. Musical Theatre 4. School Vocal (a competitor who is taking private vocal lessons may not enter a School Vocal category). ** Click and follow the links above to see class categories as outlined in the AMFA syllabus **
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How will you accept payment for registration fees?We will be accepting payment online through PayPal, which accepts payments via credit card or bank debit.
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What are your registration fees?We are committed to keeping registration fees low with no hidden or extra costs to allow for broad accessibility. Our fee structure is available to view for each individual class in our PAFA registration page - under 'Syllabus' in top blue navigation bar. Solo classes are priced between $39 - $65 Classes with more complexity (ie: recital, duet) $60-65 Group entries start at $75
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Are there any additional fees?No! We are committed to being transparent about our fees, there will not be any additional fee's beyond the registration fee.
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Financial Bursary InformationThe CVF needs-based bursary is offered to assist students at any age level who want to register and participate in the Calgary Vocal Festival, but currently struggle to manage the required fees. The basic requirements are: Commitment to learn and grow in developing the art of vocal performance Financial need Description: We disperse monetary awards based on recommendation from their current private voice teacher (or school music teacher for those not taking private lessons) and financial need. Applications are reviewed and bursaries are awarded on an individual basis. Successful candidates will be contacted confirming the amount of the bursary before the registration deadline. Eligibility: Be a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. Be a resident of Alberta for the past six months. Be actively studying with or mentored by a teacher. Show that financial need obstructs or limits their ability to participate. Show interest and determination to participate in the CVF opportunity. How the bursary is awarded: Applications are reviewed confidentially by a three-member panel, and bursaries are awarded on an individual basis. All decisions are final. You will be contacted by the CVF administrator to lead you through the registration process with your bursary. Applying for the CVF bursary: Apply by emailing us at: CalgaryVocalfest@gmail.com Attach your responses to the questions below. Attach a brief letter of recommendation from your instructor. Describe the reason and financial situation for applying for this bursary. There is no fee to apply. 1. Name: 2. Address: 3. Phone: 4. Email: 5. Parent/guardian name if under 18: 6. Current instructor name: 7. Current instructor email: 8. I am a permanent resident or citizen of Canada: Y/N 9. I have been a resident of Alberta for the past six months: Y/N 10. Number of years you have studied voice: 11. If in school, list your grade level & arts programs you participate in: 12. What goals do you have for your music journey? 13. What other financial support have you received from other institutions/organizations in the past 12 months? 14. Please describe your financial situation and your reason for applying for this bursary:
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Do CVF students progress to Provincials?Yes! We are a member of the Alberta Music Festival Association and use the AMFA vocal syllabus for all of our classes, allowing our participants to progress to the provincial festival. Our adjudication team will select a singer for each provincial age category. These students will have the opportunity to sing at the provincial festival held from May 26-29 '25, Allard Hall, MacEwan University, Edmonton. From there, successful candidates at this level are invited to progress to the Canada West Finals.
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Musical Theatre Solo entries please read this!Please remember to indicate whether your entry is a Ballad or Uptempo in the Special Requirements section. You can find this info in the AMFA Musical Theatre syllabus (Ballad or Uptempo List) or check with your vocal teacher if you are unsure. Thank you
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Musical Theatre Production Numbers Please Read This!This year the AMFA syllabus indicates that musical theatre entries can consist of a medley up to 18 minutes. For the Calgary Vocal Festival, we accept entries under 8 minutes in length. This only applies to the Musical Theatre Class 98505, Group-Production number.
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New 2025: ADULT CLASSESNew for 2025, the Calgary Vocal Festival will be including Adult Vocal Classes! 98700 Classical Vocal 98800 Contemporary Vocal 98900 Musical Theatre Designed for adults wanting to grow their skills and receive adjudicator feedback, who are not entering 18+ vocal categories. Each class consists of a performance of 2 contrasting selections. The fee for this class is $65
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When will the Provincial Festival take place?May 26-29, 2025 Allard Hall, MacEwan University Edmonton, AB
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When will the Canada West Finals take place?Canada West Finals will be held in Saskatoon, SK on July 24-26, 2025.
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