What's new? 2024

Admission Payment during Festival Week
Audience members can now pay by debit/credit card and digital wallets through "Square*"
*$2.00 processing fee applies*

Providing Valid Use of Copyright

General: There are 5 acceptable ways to prove the selection has valid use of copyright:
1. The selection comes from a published book.
2. The selection is in the form of purchased sheet music, with an accompanying receipt.
3. The selection is in the form of sheet music, but there was no purchase. The performer must gain and submit written approval from the copyright holder, for the selection to be performed.
4. The selection is in the form of sheet music, and is considered to be "public domain." This means the copyright has expired, after 50+ years. Performer may need to do some research to verify.
5. Proof of membership to nkoda digital sheet music subscription app.

It is permissible, as stated in RULE 51, for photocopies to be made, and used, in the performance space from the single selection that shows proof of valid use of copyright.

The following are NOT acceptable ways to prove the selection has valid use of copyright:
1. The selection is in the form or purchased sheet music, with NO accompanying receipt.
2. The selection is in the form of sheet music, but there was no purchase. The performer DID NOT  gain written approval from the copyright holder, for the selection to be performed.
3. Proof of membership to a digital sheet music subscription app, that is NOT nkoda.

If an entrant CAN NOT prove valid use of copyright, a disclaimer (view disclaimer) must be signed, at the Door Marshal's table. By signing the disclaimer, the entrant (accompanying adult) verifies that no copyright laws have been broken, and they assume all responsibility for the copyright.
***Without proof of valid use of copyright, entrants are unable to attend the Alberta Music Festival, should the entrant receive a
nomination from the adjudicator. ***

Guitar and Ukulele: Entrants are permitted to submit tab music, providing it is accompanied with music showing valid proof of copyright.

Piano Plan II Repertoire
Repertoire must be from the same grade/level

Concertos and Sonatas
COMPLETE Concertos and Sonatas (in strings, brass, percussion, woodwind, guitar) may ONLY be played in the Concerto or Sonata Classes. Single movements of concertos/sonatas may be entered in partial concerto/sonata classes or other solo classes.

Musical Theatre Props Provided by the SPMFA
The SPMFA no longer provides a chair nor a coatrack. Entrants requiring these items, are to bring their own. A table and a rehearsal block are provided.

Adjudicators announcing which performer received the highest mark.
Adjudicators will NO LONGER announce which performer received the highest mark, because performances are scheduled according to time, not scholarship qualifications. The Adjudicator choose the winners of scholarships after all performances, in that discipline, are finished. Winners of scholarships are then personally contacted by a SPMFA Board Representative. All scholarships are handed out at the Grand Concert and Awards Ceremony. 

Scholarships
1. Piano Plan I Junior and Intermediate Scholarship has been combined, titled "Junior/Intermediate - Piano Plan I - Best Overall, " due to repeated years of low registrations in both of these disciplines.

2. "Most Promising" in Speech arts has been discontinued, due to repeated low years of registrations.

Grand Concert and Awards Ceremony
This event will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at Festival Place