MARKING SYSTEM​​​​​​​

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The Pacific Youth Music Festival (the “Festival”) will operate on the following Grading System for all competitive solo classes:

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ADJUDICATION PROCEDURE​​​

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1. Class Structure:

   • ​Graded Classes:  Organized by level according to the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Syllabus. Participants may perform only one repertoire selection per class.

   • Concert Duo: Any combination of two contrasting repertoire selections, including "own choice" pieces, provided they are within the appropriate level.

2. Participants are permitted to enter one level higher than their current grade for any one class selection.

3. Adjudication and Results:

   1. In-Person Participants: Will receive written and verbal adjudication, along with a certificate.

   2. Online Participants: Will receive written comments and a certificate.

   3. Session Placements: Results will be announced at the conclusion of each session.

   4. Top Marks: Overall Top Mark winners will be announced on the PIYMS website under the News and Updates section.

4. The adjudicators’ decisions are final.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION​​​​​

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1. Competition Format:  ​

   • Participants may choose between In-Person Performance or Video Submission.

   • Video Submission & Layout Requirements: 

     • Graded Classes:  

       • Participants must submit one recording for each class enter.

       • Participants are only allowed to perform one repertoire selection per graded class, each individual class application requires its own dedicated, unlisted YouTube link. (Note: For Level 10, ARCT, and LRCM, playing multiple movements from the same sonata counts as one selection and should be kept in that single video).​

     • Concert Duo Classes: 

       • ​Two contrasting repertoire selections must be recorded back-to-back within the same video file and submitted under a single unlisted YouTube link.

       • At the start of the video, participants must clearly provide their name, the title of their piece(s), and the composer(s) using one of the following methods:

         • ​Verbally announcing the details to the camera

         • Inserting a text banner at the bottom of the screen

         • Holding up a clear sign containing the information

       • The video must be recorded within three months of your registration date.

       • The participant’s face, hands, feet (pedals), and the instrument must remain clearly visible throughout the entire recording.

       • While professional-grade equipment is not required, the video must be completely continuous and free of any enhancements, cuts, or editing. Performance on a grand piano is preferred.

       • No substitutions or updated links will be accepted once the application is submitted.

2. A single piece of repertoire may only be performed once during the entire Festival.

3. Memorization is mandatory. Performances using music will receive adjudicator comments only; no marks or placements will be awarded.

4. Time limits are strictly enforced. Performances exceeding the allotted time will receive comments only and will be ineligible for marks.

5. The festival is unable to accommodate collaborative pianist schedules due to the complexity of coordinating numerous individual schedules within the festival timeline.

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​AWARD CEREMONY ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION​​​​​

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Trophy Awards  ​
A trophy will be awarded to the participant who achieves the highest mark within each category and level. In addition to the trophy, the top mark recipient will be publicly recognized and featured on our official website.

Eligibility Criteria​​​

To be considered for a trophy or top mark distinction, participants must meet the following requirements:​

• Participants must enter at least three (3) Solo Classes OR one (1) Solo Class plus one (1) Concert Duo Class.

• Participants must maintain an average mark of 88% or higher across their entered classes to qualify for consideration.

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Award Ceremony Performances

• Top mark recipients may be invited to perform at the Award Ceremony; however, invitations are issued solely at the adjudicator’s discretion.

• Please note that achieving a top mark does not automatically guarantee a performance slot. Due to scheduling, not all top mark recipients will be invited to perform.

• To remain eligible for their trophy, recipients must attend the Award Ceremony in person. Awards will not be mailed or distributed in advance.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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