2026 syllabus - Speech Arts English
- All content and material should be age-appropriate and suitable for all ages/audiences. Offensive language (profanity) found in piece selections must be replaced with alternate word(s) to ensure a 'clean' version. BMF reserves the right to reject any selections that have an inappropriate tone, either in style or content.
- Competitors must present to the Adjudicator the published book or printed source with edited selections clearly marked, or, if selection is from a free website, bring a printed text citing the author and website source.
- The RCM Speech Arts Syllabus is a good resource for examples of poetry and prose excerpts for all age levels.
- Memorization is required, except for Public Speaking, where cue cards are allowed.
- Participants must provide the adjudicator with an original copy of the work being performed. Failure to do so will result in a "for adjudication only" performance.
- All selections must be taken from published works unless otherwise specified. The RCM Speech Arts Syllabus is a good resource for examples of poetry & prose excerpts for all ages.
- Competitors will be evaluated on age appropriate selections, poise, elocution, and stage presence.
- Own Composition - storytelling, poetry, public speaking. Participants must provide a printed copy of their piece.
- Props and costumes are allowed, but will not be judged. One stage and/or one hand prop is permitted, but not mandatory.
- To be eligible for awards or scholarships, participants must enter at least two solo classes in the same discipline, not including sight reading or improv classes.
- Beginner to Advanced levels are eligible for Provincial nomination. Students must enter two (2) classes in this discipline to qualify, but only ONE qualifying selection will be entered as the adjudicator's recommendation on the OMFA form, and that selection must be performed at Provincials. Provincial rules are available by visiting www.omfa.ca the Ontario Music Festival Association's website.
- Eleanor J. Clarke Memorial Trophy - to be eligible for this trophy, participants must be 16 to 19 years of age and perform in a minimum of three Speech Arts solo classes (not including sightreading classes) at the appropriate level (Intermediate, Senior, or Advanced.) To be invited to the Trophy Night competition, performers must have earned at least one adjudication mark of 85 or more, and participants must have performed in two or more Speech Arts classes at the previous year's festival. To be invited to trophy night 2026, a performer must have participated in Brant Music Festival in 2025.
DEFINITIONS:
Lyrical Poetry - is a short poem that is contemplative, an expression of the inner thoughts and feelings of the poet. It includes sonnets, odes and elegies. Selections exhibit a graceful musical rhythm and flow. The content is reflective and emotional, typically written in the first person, and the story element is of secondary importance to the emotion/feeling. Not dramatized. No (or limited) movement or gestures so that attention is never drawn away from the language.
Narrative Poetry - is a poem that tells a story, or recounts an event through verse. It contains a plot, characters, and a setting. It often contains action and dialogue but is told from the narrator's perspective. Usually written in metered verse but does not need to rhyme. Gestures are allowed for emphasis but it is not dramatized. Any movement should flow naturally from the text and the narrator's interpretation.
Public Speaking - an original organized speech on a topic of the performer's choice. Content must be suitable for all ages, all audiences. The speech should have a defined purpose and clear structure. The speech may be delivered to entertain, influence, or inform the audience. Cue cards are permitted, but eye contact should engage the audience.
SA02 Primary, 9 to 10 years old
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:SA02-5 - Poetry Solo, Lyrical or Narrative | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA02-6 - Poetry Solo, Canadian Poet | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA02-7 - Poetry Solo, Original Composition | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA02-8 - Storytelling Solo | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA02-9 - Public Speaking Solo | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA02-10 - Memorized Bible Passage | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
SA03 Elementary, 11 to 12 years old
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:SA03-11 - Poetry Solo, Lyrical or Narrative | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA03-12 - Poetry Solo, Canadian Poet | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA03-13 - Poetry Solo, Original Composition | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA03-14 - Storytelling Solo | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA03-15 - Public Speaking Solo | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA03-16 - Memorized Bible Passage | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
SA04 Junior, 13 to 14 years old
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:SA04-17 - Poetry Solo, Lyrical or Narrative | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA04-18 - Poetry Solo, Canadian Poet | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA04-19 - Poetry Solo, Original Composition | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA04-20 - Poetry Sight Reading | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA04-21 - Prose Solo | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA04-22 - Prose Sight Reading | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA04-23 - Storytelling Solo | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA04-24 - Public Speaking Solo | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
| Class:SA04-25 - Memorized Bible Passage | Fee:$20.00 | Register |
SA05 Intermediate, 15 to 16 years old
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:SA05-26 - Poetry Solo, Lyrical or Narrative | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA05-27 - PoetrySolo, Canadian Poet | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA05-28 - Poetry Solo, Original Composition | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA05-29 - Poetry Sight Reading | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA05-30 - Prose Solo | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA05-31 - Prose Sight Reading | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA05-32 - Shakespeare Monologue | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA05-33 - Monologue other than Shakespeare | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA05-34 - Storytelling Solo | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA05-35 - Public Speaking Solo | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA05-36 - Memorized Bible Passage | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
SA06 Senior, 17 to 18 years old
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:SA06-37 - Poetry Solo, Lyrical | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-38 - Poetry Solo, Narrative | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-39 - Poetry Solo, Canadian Poet | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-40 - Poetry Solo, Original Composition | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-41 - Poetry Sight Reading | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-42 - Prose Solo | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-43 - Prose Sight Reading | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-44 - Shakespeare Monologue | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-45 - Monologue other than Shakespeare | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-46 - Storytelling Solo | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-47 - Public Speaking Solo | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-48 - Duologue, Own Choice | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-49 - Multiple Performer Improvisation | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA06-50 - Memorized Bible Passage | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
SA07 Advanced, 19 to 25 years old
| Class | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Class:SA07-51 - Poetry Solo, Lyrical | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-52 - Poetry Solo, Narrative | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-53 - Poetry Solo, Canadian Poet | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-54 - Poetry Solo, Original Composition | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-55 - Poetry Sight Reading | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-56 - Prose Solo | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-57 - Prose Sight Reading | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-58 - Shakespeare Monologue | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-59 - Monologue other than Shakespeare | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-60 - Storytelling Solo | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-61 - Public Speaking Solo | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-62 - Duologue, Own Choice | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-63 - Multiple Performer Improvisation | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
| Class:SA07-64 - Memorized Bible Passage | Fee:$22.00 | Register |
SA08 Non-Competitive
Non-competitive classes will receive an adjudication and a certificate, but will not receive a mark or a class placement.