Gala Challenge
Piano Syllabus 2025
The rules and guidelines below are specific to the Gala Challenge Piano Category. Please ensure you have thoroughly read all the Pacific Youth Music Festival Rules and Regulations.
Level Categories**
Time Limit
Registration Fee
Novice
Junior
Intermediate
Senior
Diploma
Preparatory to Level 3
Levels 4 to 6​
Levels 7 to 8
Levels 9 to 10
Diploma & above
5 minutes
8 minutes
12 minutes
15 minutes
20 minutes
CA $75
CA $90
CA $110
CA $125
CA $150
**BASED ON THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC CERTIFICATE PROGRAM 2015 & 2022 SYLLABI
Age Classes
Time Limit
Registration Fee
Age 8 & under
Age 12 & under
Age 15 & under
Age 19 & under
Age 30 & under
8 minutes
12 minutes
18 minutes
22 minutes
25 minutes
CA $90
CA $110
CA $140
CA $160
CA $175
PRELIMINARY ROUND
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Format:
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In-person: This option is available only to residents of British Columbia.
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Video Submission: This option is available only to participants residing outside of British Columbia, Canada.
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An "Unlisted" YouTube link must be attached to the application form.
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Participants must record both contrasting pieces in one continuous and unedited performance. Any evidence of multiple takes or audio that does not match the performance will result in disqualification.
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At the beginning of the video, participants must clearly state their name, as well as the titles and composers of both repertoires.
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The video recording must have been made within 3 months of the registration submission.
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The participant's face, hands, feet, and keyboard must be clearly visible throughout the entire recording.
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Professional-quality recording is not mandatory; however, the sound must be clearly audible.
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Once a video recording is submitted, no substitutions will be allowed.
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Each participant must perform TWO pieces of contrasting musical styles, one of which must be from the Baroque or the Classical Era.
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For example, a Prelude and Fugue may be played with one movement of a Classical Sonata; two contrasting movements from the same classical sonata constitute one musical selection.
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For Senior and Diploma Level Category, one or more movements from the same sonata may be played as one selection, providing both repertoire selections chosen are within the time limit.
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Selections belonging to two different levels under The Royal Conservatory of Music’s current Piano Syllabus but to the same Level Category may be registered under the Level Category (Example: Selections from Levels 5 and 6 may be registered under the Junior Category). Selections that fall under two different Level Categories must be registered under the Age Category. (Example: Selections from Levels 6 and 7 must be registered under the participant’s Age Category.)
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Participants with selections that are not included in The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Piano Syllabi must enter under the Age Category.
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Music must be memorized, or no marks will be given.
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Both repertoire must obtain mark of 90% and above will be considered for the Gala Competition; however, achieving does not guarantee placement at the Gala Competition.
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Names and marks of participants selected to advance to the Gala Competition (the “finalist”) in each category will be posted online by November 19, 2025, 11:59PM PST.
90% and above
85% to 89%
80% to 84%
75% to 79%
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
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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The Preliminary Round will be adjudicated by one professional adjudicator appointed by Pacific International Youth Music Society.
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All participants will receive written critiques and certificate of participation at the end of the individual session.
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First and Second Place of the individual session will be announced at the end of each session. However, receiving First or Second Place of the individual session does not guarantee placement at the Gala Competition.
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All marks will be emailed to the participants and their teachers by 11:59 PM on the following day.
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The adjudicators’ decisions are final.
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​IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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Pedal extensions are allowed but are the responsibility of the participant and are not supplied by the Festival.
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Personal piano bench is not allowed.
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Accurate performance times are necessary for class scheduling, and to avoid disqualification for exceeding class time limits.
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GALA COMPETITION
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To be considered for the Gala Competition, both repertoires must receive a mark of 90% or above; however, this does not guarantee placement at the Gala Competition.
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Up to TWO finalists from each Solo Classes will be selected from each category to perform at the Gala Competition based on the adjudicators’ recommendations.
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Finalists must perform one piece from the Preliminary Round selected by the adjudicator.
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Following the competition, performers chosen to play at the Gala Competition will be notified by email. This notification will be sent by 11:59 PM on the following day. Failure to confirm attendance either from parents and/or teachers by the deadline given in the email will result in forfeiting the chance to compete at the Gala Competition.
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If selected, finalists must be available to perform at the Gala Competition to be eligible for scholarships.
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Awards will be presented in the form of scholarships. Winners will be announced at the end of the Gala Competition.
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Judging panel at the Gala Competition consists of 5 adjudicators. No marks and critiques will be given.
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SCHOLARSHIPS​
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Categories
Winners
Runner-ups
Novice
Junior
Intermediate
Senior
Diploma
Age 8 & under
Age 12 & under
Age 15 & under
Age 19 & under
Age 30 & under
CA $150
CA $200
CA $250
CA $350
CA $450
CA $75
CA $100
CA $125
CA $175
CA $225
CA $100
CA $125
CA $175
CA $225
CA $275
CA $200
CA $250
CA $350
CA $450
CA $550