March 20 - 30, 2025
Cosmopolitan Music Hall
What is Festival 2025?
Celebrating Talent and Inspiring Growth
Festival 2025, hosted by the Cosmo School of Music and Chorus Music, is an exciting and inclusive competition where students across various instruments perform to achieve their personal best and win prizes and scholarships.
Rather than competing against one another, each student is evaluated on their individual performance, receiving valuable feedback from expert adjudicators.
Vaughan, ON
Chorus Music provides a welcoming and enriching music education for students of all ages, focusing on personalized lessons and a supportive environment that builds confidence and skill. Their talented instructors guide students in reaching new heights in their musical journey. Visit Chorus Music to explore their programs and unique teaching approach.
Richmond Hill, ON
Cosmo School of Music offers an inspiring and comprehensive music education, welcoming students of all ages and levels. With expert instructors and top-notch facilities, we’re dedicated to helping every student achieve their personal best. Learn more about the vibrant programs and community at Cosmo Music.
Your Guide to Festival 2025
The festival syllabus outlines the rules, requirements, and expectations for participants.
It provides essential details about performance categories, evaluation criteria, schedules, and prize information,
Reading the syllabus is crucial to understanding how the festival works and to setting yourself up for a successful and enjoyable experience.
What to expect
Growth, Guidance, and Great Performances!
Diverse Performance Categories:
All instruments and students of all skill levels have a chance to perform in a range of performance categories.
Masterclasses Before Every Session:
Each session begins with a short, focused masterclass led by our expert adjudicators to inspire and prepare students for their performance.
​Professional Adjudication and Feedback:
Our highly qualified adjudicators provide each participant with detailed written and verbal feedback, offering valuable insights to help them refine their craft.
Scoring and Certificates:
Every performance is scored, and all participants will receive a certificate featuring their score—an achievement that highlights their hard work and musical growth.
Select Your Category
Review the syllabus and chat with your teacher to find your perfect fit!
Our Festival 2025 offers a range of categories tailored to different instruments and levels, so every student can find the right place to shine.
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Instrument and Level: Choose from piano, guitar, voice, percussion, and orchestra/band, with categories matched to each participant’s RCM level.
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Performance Structure: Categories are designed to group students of similar experience for a fair and supportive competition experience.
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Adjudication and Feedback: Each category includes scoring and personalized feedback from expert adjudicators to help students grow.
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All category details, guidelines, and rules are included in our Festival Syllabus, ensuring a smooth and organized experience for every participant.
Masterclasses
Learn from the Best, Play Your Best!
Before each competition session, the adjudicator will spend approximately 10-15 minutes offering expert guidance on various aspects of musical performance.
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Topics may include:
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Technical Mastery: Tips on improving technique for specific instruments or voice types.
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Interpretation: How to bring emotional depth and personality to a musical piece.
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Stage Presence: Advice on how to handle nerves and present confidently on stage.
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Musical Expression: Exploring dynamics, phrasing, and articulation to elevate the performance.
Constructive Feedback for Musical Excellence!
At Festival 2025, the adjudication process is designed to evaluate students based on how well they perform their own chosen pieces, rather than competing directly against other participants. The focus is on celebrating individual progress, performance quality, and musicianship.
How Adjudication Works
Each performance is assessed using a rubric that grades students in four key categories:
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Pitch and Rhythm Accuracy: How precise the participant is in playing the correct notes and rhythms.
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Interpretation (Stylistic Accuracy): How well the participant understands and conveys the style and mood of the piece.
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Performance Skills (Stage Presence): How the participant presents themselves on stage, including confidence, posture, and interaction with the audience.
Scoring and Certificates
Fueling Ambition, Celebrating Achievement!
Every participant will receive thoughtful, personalized feedback to support their musical journey. After each performance:
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Written Feedback: Detailed notes from the adjudicator to help students understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
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Certificate of Completion: A special festival certificate to celebrate their hard work and participation.
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Official Grade: Each student’s performance will be awarded a grade, recognizing their dedication and achievements.
Scholarships and Prizes
Fueling Ambition, Celebrating Achievement!
Festival 2025 offers a variety of exciting prizes and scholarships, rewarding excellence, effort, and musical growth.
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Top performers in each category will have the chance to win one of the following prizes.
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Nintendo Switch Lite
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Wonderland Season Pass
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Music Studio Sessions (at Chorus Music)
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Orange Amps
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Toca Hand Drums
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Cosmo Music Gift Cards
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Cosmo Music Scholarships
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1-month scholarship
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3-month scholarship
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Chorus Music Scholarships
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1-month scholarship
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3-month scholarship
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Registration and Fees
Your Pathway to Performance Begins Here!
To participate in Festival 2025, follow these steps to complete your registration:
Be sure to review the festival syllabus and sign up for your category. Students can sign up for more than one category.
STEP TWO - REPERTOIRE SELECTION
One month prior to the festival, all participants will receive an email requesting confirmation of the repertoire they will be performing. ​
​Registration Fee: $45 per session.​
Registration Deadline: February 4th, 2025
All entries must be submitted no later than February 4th, 2025.
Who Can Register?
Beginners to Seasoned Musicians
Festival 2025 is open to all Cosmo School of Music and Chorus Music students eager to showcase their skills and gain valuable performance experience. Covering most instruments and age levels, there’s a place for everyone who wants to reach their personal best and receive professional feedback.
Instruments:
Piano
Drums
Vocals
Electric Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Classical Guitar
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Tuba
Violin
Cello
Saxophone
Clarinet
Flute
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