| Age Category | Performance Time Limit | Registration Fee (CAD) per Ensemble |
|---|---|---|
| 11–14 years old | 20 minutes | $120 |
| 15–18 years old | 30 minutes | $135 |
| 19–28 years old | 40 minutes | $150 |
Every Chamber Music participant must be at least 11 years old.
Fees are charged per registration. For Piano Duet and Chamber Music, one registration covers the full ensemble.
Participants older than 28 may participate in Pathways with a teacher’s recommendation but are not eligible for CMC or AMFA advancement.
2027 Registration Window
Registration opens Dec. 1, 2026 and closes Jan. 22, 2027.
For payment methods, financial assistance, and late-registration information, see Fees.
Pathways Recital Requirements
- The Pathways recital program must include two or more contrasting works showcasing various tempi and stylistic periods.
- For Pathways purposes, one work may consist of a single movement, multiple movements, a complete work, or selected movements from a larger work. Two or more movements from the same larger work still count as one work.
- Memorization is not required; performers may use scores.
Rules
Participants are responsible for reviewing the General Rules & Regulations before registering. Those rules apply in addition to the discipline-specific requirements below.
- Ensembles may have two to six members. Groups of seven or more are not permitted.
- Eligible instruments include piano, guitar, strings, woodwinds, and brass, in any appropriate combination.
- The age category is determined by the oldest ensemble member.
- Each performer must play a separate part, and all parts must have equal musical importance.
- Time limits will be strictly enforced. Performances exceeding the time limit may be stopped.
- Scores for works composed in 1956 or later must be submitted at the time of registration.
- Participants requiring special setup or accessibility accommodations must provide the details during registration so arrangements can be made in advance. Examples include chairs or music stands.
- Changes to the proposed program will be accepted until Feb. 7, 2027. No repertoire changes will be accepted after this date.
- Changes to the group’s members require approval from Pathways because they may affect its category or advancement eligibility.
Please review the FAQ for answers to other common questions.
Pathways to CMC National Finals and AMFA Provincials
One Pathways performance may be considered for advancement to the CMC National Finals, recommendation to AMFA Provincials, or both, provided the participant meets each organization’s separate requirements.
Canadian Music Competition (CMC) National Finals
- CMC age categories are 7–10, 11–14, 15–18, and 19–25. One member may be up to one year older than the applicable age category.
- CMC accepts Chamber Music ensembles of two to five members. An approved six-member Pathways ensemble is not eligible for CMC National Finals consideration.
- For Chamber Music, repertoire performed at the CMC National Finals must differ from repertoire performed at Pathways. Different movements or different pieces from the same larger work or collection are acceptable, provided no movement or piece is repeated.
- Ensembles seeking CMC National Finals consideration must identify during Pathways registration the repertoire they intend to perform at the CMC National Finals.
- Enter one or more complete works, or at least two contrasting movements. List movements from the same work together as one repertoire selection.
- CMC performance time limits are strictly enforced.
- Memorization is not required; performers may use scores.
- CMC National Finals repertoire cannot be changed after the CMC National Finals registration is submitted.
CMC National Finals Maximum Performance Times
| Age category | Maximum time |
|---|---|
| 7–10 years old | 15 minutes |
| 11–14 years old | 20 minutes |
| 15–18 years old | 25 minutes |
| 19–25 years old | 30 minutes |
Please review the dedicated CMC National Finals page for complete current eligibility and repertoire requirements.
AMFA Provincials
- AMFA Provincials Chamber classes are available when all members are 28 years of age or younger and meet the age limit of the applicable class. Review the dedicated AMFA Provincials page for current eligibility requirements.
- AMFA Provincials Chamber groups may have two to six members. An approved six-member Pathways ensemble falls within this limit; groups larger than six do not.
- Each performer must play a separate part, and all parts must have equal importance.
- Two contrasting Classical (serious) selections are required; folk/pop are not permitted.
- Two movements from one multi-movement work count as one selection, so a second contrasting stand-alone work is required.
- Both works must be performed and adjudicated at Pathways.
- Memorization is not required for AMFA Provincials Chamber classes; performers may use scores.
AMFA Provincials Chamber Music Requirements
- View Appendix B: Provincial Festival Rules & Classes (opens in a new tab)
- Open AMFA Provincial Chamber classes (opens in a new tab)
- Open AMFA Provincial Festival Rules (opens in a new tab)
| AMFA Provincials Age Category | Selections | Time Limit | Memorization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 and under | Two separate contrasting selections | 30 minutes | Not required |
| 28 and under | Two separate contrasting selections | 40 minutes | Not required |
The first tuning before the performance is not included in the time limit; subsequent tuning is included.
Participants older than 28 may participate in Pathways with a teacher’s recommendation but are not eligible for CMC or AMFA advancement.
Questions or special requests?
Contact Pathways at info@pathwaysprogram.ca.
Source Note: CMC and AMFA information on this page is based on the official 2026 sources and must be revalidated against the 2027 rules before launch. Current official rules govern if they differ.