What's new? 2025

Syllabus Rules
1. Rule #18 - clarification regarding members of duet/trio/quartet groups entering in more than one group. Competitors can not compete against themselves. An entrant can only enter ONCE in a group of classes.
2.  Rule # 29 and #30 - clarification added for memorization in competitive and non-competitive classes.  See rule #38, for competitive classes that DO NOT require memorization
2. Rule #36 - clarification regarding performing repertoire content. A "G" rating is expected.
3. Rule #41 - clarification regarding dress code. Dress code is suggested, not required.
4. Rule #51d - Public Domain repertoire must include the complete URL on the front cover.

Registration Payment
Registration is no longer done through PayPal. We have switched to "STRIPE." This is the only method payment is accepted. 

Disciplines with 3 Classes
Family and Community Music
Garage Band
Chamber Music
All now have an opportunity to perform 3 selections, and pricing has been altered to reflect the number of selections. 

Iris Evans Scholarship for the Performing Arts
This scholarship has had a name change. It is now called "The Festival Place Cultural Arts Foundation Scholarship for the Performing Arts."
Competitors no longer need to perform in a non-competitive class.

Contemporary  Vocal and Self-Accompanied Classes
More classes have been added.

SPEECH
1. Hand-held and stage props have been defined and updated.
2. In addition to providing the adjudicator with an authorized copy, a clean, typed copy of the words must also be provided. 

New Feature in The Registration System (MFS)
The Registration System (MFS) developer has done a major overhaul . We are sorry for any confusion switching from the old to the new. Please contact us for assistance!

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

Musical Theatre Broadway Solo Class
A new class "Broadway Solo" has been created - it does not include costume and choroegraphy is discouraged. This includes all Musical Theatre (including movie and TV musicals).

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. All Speech Arts scholarships have been discontinued due to repeated years of low registration numbers.
2. All "Most Promising" scholarships in Strings have been discontinued, due to repeated years of low registrations.
3. A "Best Overall" and "Most Promising" scholarships for Self-Accompanied have been created.  *Music and lyrics must be memorized to qualify*

Grand Concert and Awards Ceremony
This event will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Festival Place, due to the Easter Weekend.